Preparing for a night out – literally – are ARC House workers, volunteers and residents Deb and Marie (front), Darren and Rocco (middle) and Judith, and Arthur and Jason.By Nathan Johnston
ARC House in Keysborough is in its fourth year of rebuilding the lives of people who have battled drug and alcohol addiction.
The founders of the small residential drug and alcohol treatment program bought a permanent facility last year, but the organisation is relying on community support to pay it off.
The major fundraiser again this year will be the Sleep in the Park for ARC event, where community members are sponsored to leave the warmth of their own beds to sleep in a park – the Dandenong Basketball stadium – on Saturday, 12 November.
Paul Jameson from ARC House said 40 per cent of its clients were homeless when they arrived at the house.
“The program has been going for four years now and has been able to provide an opportunity for many people from the local community to come and be able to deal with their drug and alcohol problems and get their lives back on track,” he said.
“We rely heavily on community support to remain operational as we do not receive any state or federal government funding.”
City of Greater Dandenong councillor and Dandenong Drug Action Group chair Angela Long said it was vital the program continued.
“We desperately need to keep the seven beds that are there,” she said.
“Ideally there would be more because it’s so important and they do a brilliant job.
“The clients receive longterm housing of up to 12 months, where they learn their living skills again.”
Cr Long said the facility was for young males who had lost control of their lives to drugs or alcohol.
“A lot of people don’t associate alcohol as a drug because it’s not illegal, but it’s one of our biggest problems,” she said.
Mr Jameson said Sleep in the Park for ARC would be a fun night for the family and young people.
“We will be providing interactive games and sports for all ages, indigenous face painting, a clown, hiphop lessons, a band and a latenight movie,” he said.
“There will be a free barbecue including vegetarian food, hot and cold drinks.”
The event is on Saturday, 12 November at the Dandenong Basketball Stadium, Stud Road, from 7.30pm through until early Sunday morning.
People interested in supporting or registering for the event or who want more information can phone Paul Jameson on 0415 423 397 or 9711 5232, or Cr Angela Long on 0408 251 910.
