MISSION MATTERS - EASTER EDITION 08�

Winter breakfast

the cross is a talking point, because they can identify with Christ’s suffering and martyrdom – and also the hope that a little faith can bring. Rather than being a symbol for the Passion of Christ or Christ’s triumph, The Cross often becomes a symbol for protection or good luck. And these are not to be dismissed, because The Cross ultimately is a symbol which brings God into a person’s world, and may give rise not only for the creative process of God, but also reminds people of God’s love for each one of us. The Cross is a symbol that transcends society - our society with all of its frills and fluffy cuddlies – and The Cross is permanent and everlasting and is far more meaningful.

Denise Bond Prahran Mission Chaplain

3 CEO Letter

4 Hot Cross Bun Recipe

5 Café Facelift

6 Parents Helpers and Mentors

8 Winter Breakfast Launch 2008

Remember you can donate online now at www.prahranmission.org.au

Easter ­Symbols

Amazing isn’t it, how our commercially focussed society switches Christmas goodies from the shop shelves before 1st January to replace stock with Easter symbols? These symbols cater for ‘What is in it for Me?’ and are confusing, for we not only have Easter eggs, but Easter teddies, fluffly cuddly things in all shapes, sizes and colours to tempt usually kids, and adults too. This is the message of Easter today isn’t it? Chocolate anything - from bunnies or chocolate carrots to native Australian creatures - which on one hand are protected or kept as pets, but we consume these chocolate forms with gusto!

And so the Christian Easter message gets pushed further underground. We have, as Christians, alternative symbols, and of course The Cross is most prominent, almost creating a dichotomy between permanence and impermanence, which is not easily understood by people who live on the margin of our society.

Living ‘on the edge’ of society may even be difficult to comprehend today, when there are Centrelink payments, concessions, the odd food parcel and an occasional free meal. But being on the edge of society means that a person is not really acceptable – perhaps because they seem a bit different, have a disability or a mental illness, dress poorly or are dirty, or worse still are smelly, and they may not be capable of carrying out some ordinary daily functions that many of us take for granted (such as putting on a load of washing in our own laundry in our own home). People who are ‘marginalised’ are often without reasonable family connections, and in many cases have lost contact with their family. Quite a number live in ‘rooming houses’ – shared accommodation with shared facilities and enough space for a few belongings.

This is where the symbol of The Cross is of incredible significance. Many who are ‘marginalised’ will wear a cross or crucifix, even though they don’t have any strong religious affiliation. Sometimes when they meet with me

Table of

Contents

MISSION MATTERS - EASTER EDITION 08�

Dear All

It seems that we are barely over one holiday when the next is almost upon us, this year it is quicker than usual with Easter falling in March. In all the hurried actions of the year thus far it would be easy to get caught up, however these few days to celebrate Easter also give us time to reflect. Time to reflect on our lives, the lives of our loved ones, the lives of strangers and to reflect on the true meaning of Easter.

What does Easter mean to you and what does it mean to those around you? Do you celebrate in a Church? Do you break red dyed eggs? Do you give chocolate and eat hot cross-buns? Do you spend time with loved ones and friends?

At Prahran Mission Easter gives us opportunity to reflect on the lives around us and consider the how a helping hand or new opportunities can lead to a new life. With your support we have assisted hundreds of people make a good start to 2008.

In this edition of Mission Matters you can read about our new program, Parents Helpers and Mentors (PHAMS), located in Mount Waverley or about the new group of students who have started their 20 week journey through the Hospitality Training Course or even the freshly painted Café which has created a new space for our diners.

These small services and actions provide elements to a person’s life that are often taken for granted by those who have not been without them. The simple pleasure of eating lunch in a room that is comfortable or being able to take on a training course that recognises that illness may keep you from attending some classes, can be the one thing that changes a life, or perhaps even saves a life.

On behalf of every person at Prahran Mission, I thank you for your contribution to the Mission and I wish you, your family and your friends a safe and happy Easter.

Quinn PawsonCEO Prahran Mission

CEO Letter

MISSION MATTERS - EASTER EDITION 08�

Prahran Mission has just accepted a new enrolment of Hospitality Students, the course is designed to award graduating students Certificate 1 in Hospitality: Kitchen Operations.

Prahran Mission’s course extends over a 20 week period, which allows students who are absent from classes due to illness or other circumstances to have ample time and support to make up classes and achieve their certificate at graduation. The course is structured to give support to students who are unable to complete such a course in mainstream educational facilities.

Last year’s graduating student will receive their certificate at the Winter Breakfast Launch, we would love for you to attend- see page 8 for details. In the meantime please enjoy this delightful recipe from the students.

�

Hospitality Training

35g dried yeast or 75g compressed yeast1/2 cup castor sugar2 cups milk warmed1kg plain flour1/4 cup Milk Powder1 teaspoons salt2 teaspoons mixed spice1 teaspoon cinnamon1 tsp ginger60g butter, melted120g sultanas120g currants120 g dried apricots2 eggs, lightly beaten

Paste for crosses1/2 cup plain flour, extra1/2 cup cold water

Glaze2 tablespoons brown sugar1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, extra

2 teaspoons sugar

2 tablespoons cold water, extra

1 Place the yeast, a teaspoon of sugar and the warm milk in a bowl.

2 Cover and stand for 15 minutes in a warm place until frothy.

3 In a large bowl sift flour, milk powder, salt, remaining sugar and spices.

4 Add butter, sultanas, currants, mixed peel, yeast mixture, water and eggs to flour and mix into soft dough.

5 Cover with a tea towel and stand in a warm place for 40 minutes or until doubled in size.

6 Knead on a lightly floured board until smooth and elastic.

7 Divide dough into 32 even-sized pieces and knead each into a round.

8 Place on grease-proof paper lined oven trays 1cm apart.

9 Cover and stand in warm place for 10-15 minutes.

10 Combine extra flour and water into

soft paste for crosses.

11 Place into a piping bag and pipe a cross on each bun.

12 Bake at 220°C for 15-20 minutes.

13 Place brown sugar, extra cinnamon, gelatine and extra water in a small saucepan.

14 Heat for 1-2 minutes or until the sugar and gelatine has dissolved.

15 Remove buns from oven and turn out on a wire rack.

16 Brush with glaze.

Ingredients

Nutitional Analysis per serveCarbohydrates: �5 g

Energy: 77� kJ

Calcium: �5 mg

Protein: 5 g

Fat: � g

Method

Hospitality Hot Cross Buns

MISSION MATTERS - EASTER EDITION 085

Over the Christmas break a small band of dedicated volunteers pulled together to redecorate the dining area of Prahran Mission’s café. The room has been transformed from a tired area with stark white walls with peeling paint to an inviting space that feels like a living room rather than a cafeteria.

The walls, which have been hung with paintings created by Prahran Mission artists, are now a welcoming yellow that is fresh and delightful. The Good Will Shop also provided a couch, lamps and side tables, now diners can opt to relax in comfort with friends after their finishing their meal.

The small courtyard behind the dining area has

been filled with potted plants, providing a beautiful scene of greenery from the dining room window.

On behalf of everyone who uses the dining area of the café, Prahran Mission extends a big note of appreciation to every person who was involved in this great transformation.

Big Thank You for Big BBQPrahran Mission would like to thank all the staff of Biggins & Scott Real Estate Prahran for their wonderful contribution to our sausage sizzle at The Big BBQ on Sunday 24th February. The staff rotated on a roster from 11am through to 6pm to cooking 300 sausages and onions throughout the day.

A Café to Call Home

MISSION MATTERS - EASTER EDITION 08��

The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program is a new Commonwealth-funded program that supports people whose lives are severely affected by mental illness. It is an outreach-based program and focuses on strengths - what people with mental illness can do as opposed to what they can't do. It also focuses on recovery, demonstrating that people with mental illness can lead a fulfilled life in the community. People join the program voluntarily and are supported by their own Personal Helper and Mentor.

The Mission was awarded the tender for the City of Monash, which includes suburbs such as Oakleigh, Clayton, Mount Waverley and Glen Waverley. As such, a new office (in Hamilton Place, Mount Waverley) has been established and a new, five-person team has been recruited. Team leader Kate Hardinge joined in January this

year and believes the program has much to offer. "The Personal Helpers and Mentors Program addresses a significant gap between consumers and agencies. By providing ongoing and open-ended support with goal-setting in mind, PHAMS will not just address issues such as isolation and exclusion but actively work towards linking consumers back into the community with meaningful plans for recovery."

PHAMS

Prahran Mission’s Multicultural Access & Support Program “More than one in five Australians are born overseas” (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2007)

Prahran Mission is one of the few psychosocial services that have not forgotten about Cultural And Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people in our community. The program not only supports people who have arrived in Australia, either as refugees or migrants on a one-on-one base, it also ensures a fun loving and social atmosphere. People from various countries including Russia, Poland, Portugal, South Africa and Nicaragua come together to participate and enjoy many activities such as cooking, studying English or exploring Melbourne’s attractions.

“It is one of the greatest gifts for me as a Multicultural (Social) Worker when a polish speaking woman gets tears in her eyes, hugs me and thanks me from her heart for taking the time to actively listen to her daily problems. Too often culturally diverse communities experience discrimination and exclusion.

I am proud to work at a place like Prahran Mission where I am provided with the opportunity to support people with insufficient English language skills and enhance their wellbeing”.

Nadine Hantke Multicultural Worker

MISSION MATTERS - EASTER EDITION 087

Pancake DayPrahran Mission has hosted its annual Pancake Day on Tuesday 5th February. Organised nationwide by UnitingCare, Pancake Day raises awareness of the impact of poverty and raises funds for UnitingCare’s work with disadvantaged and vulnerable Australians.

Pancakes were beautifully prepared by

participants of Prahran Mission’s Hospitality Training program, giving them valuable experience in both the preparation and sale of food. Prahran Mission offers this valuable course to individuals whose mental health may exclude them from studying in mainstream educational facilities. Monies raised on the day will purchase the essential computer software for the course and buy basic kitchen utensils and equipment.

Thank you to everyone who supported Pancake Day 2008.

Upon deciding to write into Mission Matters about Prahran Mission the first thing I did was to look up “Mission” in the dictionary –“worthy tasks of work’, this I believe is what the Case Managers do, they are ‘EFFICIENT’ too and we, the clients, are on winners for having them look after us.

My Case Manager, Helen Dawson, I call ‘extraordinaire’. I talk; she listens and acts immediately to my request or problems. She is

professional, yet friendly, has a great sense of humour and is fun. I also trust her. Thank you for being you, Helen.

–Margaret

Helen Dawson is one of 5 Case Managers who work tirelessly with dedication to the quality of the service they provide to 81 clients who are the recipients of Prahran Mission’s, Community Aged Care Packages (CACP’s).

Extraordinaire!!

Upcoming

Events

Good FridayFriday 21st March

Easter SundaySunday 23rd March

Easter MondayMonday 24th March

Business ConnectionsApril (TBC)

Anzac DayFriday 25th April

Winter Breakfast LaunchWednesday 28th May

Queen’s BirthdayMonday 9th June

Yes it’s back again so get in early to secure your place at Prahran Mission’s Winter Breakfast Launch.

Every year Prahran Mission extends the café hours during the winter months to ensure that people in need are able to receive a hot breakfast at an affordable price; for concession card holders it is only $1. For many people who frequent the café during the winter breakfast, this hot meal is the only one they will have for the day.

This year’s launch will be held at the Prahran Town Hall on Wednesday 28th May at 7.30 am. The Winter Breakfast Launch is a real opportunity to learn about Prahran Mission’s programs and services from participant speakers. There will also be Board members, volunteers and staff joining the breakfast, so if you have any questions or particular area of interest this is a great time to ask.

We will also be celebrating the success of our graduating Hospitality Training students, these students have worked extremely hard for 20 months to reach this goal, so please join us to recognise their achievements.

Full priced tickets are $40 per person or you may book a table of 10 for $350. A concession rate is also available for eligible card holders. For more information or to RSVP please call Prahran Mission administration on 9692 9500.

“I would love to hear from you.”

How do you feel about the articles in this newsletter? Do you have a contribution to make? What would you like to read about? Are there any other issues of interest you would like us to include?

I look forward to hearing from you.Kind Regards,Danielle

Tel: 03 9692 9555Email: danielle@prahranmission.org.au

Prahran Mission

211 Chapel Street(PO Box 68) Prahran 3181Phone (03) 9692 9500Fax (03) 9510 9627Email admin@prahranmission.org.auWeb www.prahranmission.org.au

Cafe................................9692 9530Centre of Phsych Rehab....9692 9520Child Care Centre.............9510 7385Community Aged Care.......9804 7655Goodwill Shop..................9692 9532

JobSupply Personnel.........9827 0555Mothers Support..............9827 0684Open House/Mingles........9692 9527Second Story....................9692 9521Stables Art Studio............9571 3902

Sunday 23rd March

Monday 24th March

Business Connections

Friday 25th April

Winter Breakfast LaunchWednesday 28th May

Queen’s BirthdayMonday 9th June

Winter Breakfast Launch 2008

Prahran Mission

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MATTERS

www.prahranmission.org.auPrahran Mission

MISSION MATTERSPrahran Mission Newsletter

MISSION MATTERS

Main stories

• Happy Easter

• New Program Opens in Mount Waverley: PHAMS

• Winter Breakfast Launch 2008: Secure your tickets NOW!

Easter Edition, March 2008ISSN: 1035-1736