By NARELLE COULTER
AVOCARE is moving to Dandenong South, where it will expand its work-for-the-dole programs and charitable work.
Founded in 2003, Avocare currently operates from two sites, an office in Robinson Street and a warehouse in Cheltenham Road.
Founder Trish Keilty said as demand for Avocare’s services had grown so had the demand for space – especially in the warehouse, which handled more than two million kilograms of food last financial year.
She was thrilled to sign a new lease on a 3500 square metre space in Zilla Court, Dandenong South, before Christmas.
Staff and work-for-the-dole participants will move in March.
“We needed more space and more opportunities to do more projects,” Ms Keilty explained.
The charity’s food rescue operation provides the equivalent of 51,000 meals to hungry City of Greater Dandenong residents each week.
“The move will allow us to expand our food relief. We supply 260 charities at the moment. The need is really there for more,” Ms Keilty said.
The new headquarters will also allow Avocare to also provide material aid in the form of furniture and white goods.
“If an asylum seeker seeker or family in need want a lounge suite or washing machine, then hopefully we will have that available for them.”
Work-for-the-dole participants will be involved with repairing and testing and tagging furniture and white goods before distribution to needy households.
Ms Keilty said the new headquarters would give job seekers the chance to experience work in a “real work environment”.
“Our aim is to get them skilled and get them working,” she explained.
“We have good results. On average 45-55 per cent of our participants return to work after their six month placement.”
Ms Keilty is brimming with ideas for new work for the dole projects.
The scope of current projects range from candle making, to organising charity trivia nights, rebuilding a coastal boardwalk, collating an emergency relief directory for Greater Dandenong, billycart construction and digitising the Dandenong Journal.
Avocare’s reach now extends into the City of Casey and Mornington Peninsula Shire.
To continue its work Avocare desperately needs racking for the new warehouse and a delivery van.
The old van is off of the road, hampering Avocare’s vital food distribution role.
Despite the difficulties, Ms Keilty is upbeat about Avocare’s future and the future of the hundreds of job seekers it supports.
“What drives me is the fact that we are able to change people’s lives, get food out to people or get a bed for someone who needs one. And its wonderful when someone gets a job.”
To help Avocare contact Trish Keilty on 9793 9766.
How you can help
Avocare needs donations of:
* Racking.
* Pallet jacks.
* Power tools.
* Saws.
* Candles.
* Boots.
* Work clothes.
* High-vis vests.
