Church offers helping hand

By Bridget Brady
A CRANBOURNE church this weekend will launch a pastoral care initiative offering group counselling workshops they say could be life-changing for residents.
Freedom Christian Church in Cranbourne will launch the Freedom Centre on Sunday after about four years of planning.
Freedom Centre co-ordinator Candy Daniels and Pastor Lorri Kruithoff have devised a range of group workshops covering a variety of topics such as self-esteem, assertiveness, grief and loss, depression, divorce recovery for kids, parenting and marriage.
Ms Daniels, who is a counsellor, said the Freedom Centre would enrich the lives of Cranbourne residents who needed support.
“The idea is to get our community to be the best place it can be. The more confident people are, the more purpose they find in life and the more they want to go forward. It opens up numerous opportunities,” Ms Daniels said.
“This is a first for us.”
Pastor Kruithoff said the sessions, which would run for two to five weeks, would offer practical assistance for people in need.
“There is a need for this in Cranbourne and every community. There are people who need to know who they are and need to overcome a lot of different issues and problems they deal with on a daily basis in their lives,” Pastor Kruithoff said.
“Most of the time we don’t know how to address those things or don’t have the skills that we need.”
The sessions would be an affordable option, about $10 each, in comparison to private counselling sessions, Ms Daniels said.
And she said those worried about feeling singled out in a private session could feel more comfortable in a group environment.
Ms Daniels said she wanted to work with other local support agencies in Cranbourne if the Freedom Centre could not assist someone.
The launch will take place this Sunday 21 February, at 3pm. The Freedom Centre is located at Factory 9, 200 Sladen Street in Cranbourne. Anyone is welcome to attend to find out more about the initiative.
The first session will be held on 28 February and cover the topics of self-esteem and identity.
For details call the Freedom Centre on 5995 2005.