Gateway Family Services is committed to building a stronger community through helping to build stronger families.
Gateway….
>Employs trained workers who are able to provide counselling & family support for parents and children, parent groups, community Hubs and playgroups, information, advocacy and practical assistance.
>Is supported & funded by The Blaxland Uniting Church, individual donors through the 'Friends of Family Support' scheme and donations from churches, service clubs and community groups.
>Gateway is also funded to provide: Families NSW Projects- The Early Intervention Family Work Project, the Mobile Community Hub Project; Child, Youth & Family programs including the Gunedoo Project & The Brighter Futures Project funded by the NSW Dept of Human Services and the Family Support Program incorporating The Family Links Project and "It takes a Village Project" funded by the Commonwealth Dept of Family, Housing & Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
>The service has also initiated “Jigsaw” a low cost counselling service for children 5-12 years.
>Partners with churches, schools & local groups to provide Emergency Food Relief to low income families.
>Is supported by Blue Mountains City Council to provide Food Vouchers
>Partners with Blue Mountains Family Support Service to provide Emergency Financial Assistance to families.
>is managed by a Community Management Committee and is member of NSW Family Services & Family Worker Training & Development Program Inc.
Our History
Gateway Family Services is a local community services organisation which has been serving families in the Lapstone to Springwood area of the lower Blue Mountains since 1990.Since 2000 its programs have been offered mountain wide and from 2006 incorporate the Penrith LGA.
The service is auspiced by Blaxland Uniting Church & Uniting Care.
Our Beginnings
As a response to a 1989 survey of community needs, Blaxland Uniting Church established the Lower Mountains Family Support Service (Now Gateway Family Services). In 1990 a grant from Wesley Mission, complemented by funding from the Church, paid for a full time Co-ordinator. After 1992 the Church fully funded the Service and with a small grant from the NSW Department of Community Services a group worker was employed. The Service quickly developed a reputation for quality work with families.
The Service Expands
The Service was housed in office space in the Blaxland Uniting Church building until late in 1991, when it was relocated to ‘The Cottage’ next door to the Church. The building has been refurbished and extended 3 times and it is now 3 times its original size and has dedicated space for client interviews and counselling as well as practical office for workers and volunteers and a large storage space for food and other household items.
The Service quickly exceeded its initial goals rapidly developing into a credible welfare agency and by offering a range of programs & services to families in the lower mountains. The activities & scope of the Service continue to expand as it seeks to respond to the needs of families under stress or in crisis. Currently the service support families in both the Blue Mountains and Penrith Local government areas- from St Mary’s to Mt Victoria. In 2010, LMFSS officially changed its name to Gateway Family Services as a reflection of the reality of providing services in areas beyond the lower mountains.
The Service employs a General Manager, Finance Manager, Practice Manager and 18 staff working on a range of unfunded plus state and federally funded programs. The work is supported by 7 office volunteers and over 30 other volunteers who assist in a variety of ways. Gateway’s projects include direct support for families with children as well as a range of community building and strengthening programs that support children and families as well as Emergency Food & financial assurance programs.
All this has come from the vision of Blaxland Uniting Church to reach out to people in need in the community, as they believe Jesus himself would.
- Category:
- Non-profit organization