Essential service workers will have 24-hour access to supplies to support children transitioning to foster care and emergency housing, thanks to a new partnership between the CPB project team working on the Monash Freeway Upgrade Stage 2 (MFU2) and Cranbourne charity Backpacks 4 Vic Kids (B4VK).
The charity provides a range of services for children in crisis including My Essential packs – backpacks filled with items such as basic toiletries, clothing, pyjamas, a torch, and comfort items including blankets and soft toys to help them settle into care.
MFU2 has donated three fit for purpose shipping containers to house up to 228 My Essential packs and other essential items for B4VK.
The containers will be located in Ferntree Gully Road, Hallam, and Ballarat, providing 24-hour contactless access for social workers, Victoria Police and the Department of Health and Human Services to meet the needs of children placed in care.
CPB project director for MFU2 Jill Boag said the pandemic has lead to increased financial hardship, housing stress and poor mental health.
“B4VK has also seen higher demand for their packs but has faced a number of challenges with storage, contactless hand over of the packs, location and after hours access,” Ms Boag said.
“Our human resources manager Iliana Dimitriadis has been the driving force behind this partnership and in working with our staff, suppliers, workforce and contractors to find a way to provide practical assistance.”
To date, MFU2’s staff, workforce and contractors have also raised $20,000 to buy backpacks to fill the containers and will continue their fundraising efforts to keep the containers stocked.
B4VK founder Sally Beard said in Victoria, there were currently more than 12,000 children in out-of-home care at any one time.
“Through Covid-19, children needing out of home care increased by 9.6 per cent, which equates to about 12 children a day,” Ms Beard said.
“Carers do not always have the means to provide all essential items for every child who may be placed in their care and often the children have only the clothes they are wearing.
“This partnership means that we can assist more children and carers regardless of the time of day and other factors such as COVID-19 restrictions and can make a difference to the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community”.
