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Our impact

We partner with our community to make a lasting difference in the lives of children, young people, families and individuals who need our support. Our goal is to give every person we support the best opportunity to live in a safe and nurturing family.

The difference we make

Each year, we provide help and support to more than 6,800 individuals and families across the Grampians and Central Highlands regions of western Victoria. We deliver an expansive and innovative range of support programs. On any given night, we have up to 40 children in out of home care.

 

“When we take a community approach, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our young people. Cafs supports and trains people in our local community to become Foster Carers and Kinship Carers. Keeping children and young people in families gives them stability, connection and the love they need to live a bright future.”  Wendy Sturgess, Cafs CEO.

Cafs - Difference we make - Parents carrying their children

Our young people

Many children and young people find themselves in tough family situations. Unemployment, poverty, addiction, violence and mental health issues are major risk factors associated with child abuse, neglect and family relationship problems. These struggles are part of everyday life for many children in our community, and often they are hidden from view.

 

Our youth support programs and Foster and Kinship Care programs help bridge the gap in these children’s lives. We aim to keep children engaged in school and connected to a network of support in the wider community.

Cafs our young people - boy writing on his notebook

“I’ve seen how just a single conversation can empower change in someone. We’re here to give hope. We’re here to show you that you have options.”  Colin Handreck, Financial Support Services

Partnership in hope

People come to Cafs for many, many different reasons. But there is often a common thread – a feeling of powerlessness and hopelessness. We aim to restore hope in every person who passes through our doors. We achieve this by delivering individually tailored programs that empower people to choose a path that is right for them.

 

We listen, we partner, we empower, and we do not judge. We foster skills, so individuals and families have the confidence to make their own decisions. We help you develop a roadmap for your life and the lives of your children.

Cafs Partnership in hope - Psychologist having session with her patient in office

Cafs delivers over 40 active community programs

Our targeted and innovative programs are designed to support families and individuals at all stages of life.

Pioneers in change

Innovation and respect are two of our core values. As an organisation, Cafs has forged a path with our work in men’s behaviour change and family violence intervention. We were one of the first agencies in Victoria to provide interventions for male perpetrators of family violence. Our Men’s Behaviour Change program has been running for over 30 years.

 

Our work with men who are the perpetrators of family violence is a vital part of our commitment to child safety. It provides us with a valuable opportunity to support women and children to live free from violence.

Cafs Pioneers in change - father and his sons at the park

“Our focus is on service delivery for our clients.” James Rubeli, Chief Finance Officer  

A beacon for diversity and inclusion

At Cafs, we actively celebrate diversity and inclusion. We believe that the differences our people and clients bring to our organisation add to our strength. And we encourage our employees, carers and volunteers to participate in events that celebrate diversity in our local community.

 

We’re committed leaders of diversity and inclusion in our community. We proudly provide a platform and help start the conversations that lead to social change. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment, supportive of diversity.

Cafs a group of people painting the wall and floor Ludbrook House
  • Cafs is a Rainbow Tick accredited organisation.
  • Cafs recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the First Nations Peoples of Australia.
  • Cafs is a White Ribbon workplace.
  • Cafs is member of Communities of Respect and Equality (CoRE).
  • Cafs is an official Inclusive Employer.

 

“It’s about respecting people, not judging them. I think that’s what makes Cafs unique. There’s also a great sense of teamwork and a great sense of pride in doing good work for the community.” Annie Drum – Client Engagement Team

 

Apologies and recognition

As an organisation, we acknowledge the actions we have taken in the past and apologise for the harm caused and the trauma that continues. We are committed to reconciliation and redress with the communities who have been harmed.

Stolen Generation apology

Cafs would like to acknowledge that on the 13th of February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generations, who suffered as a result of past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.

 

Cafs would like to acknowledge the Past Residents of the Ballarat Children’s Orphanage and Ballarat Children’s Homes. It is crucial that, as a nation, we commemorate this significant milestone, acknowledging the wrongs of the past, while reflecting on the work that still needs to be done to address the impacts of unresolved trauma

Cafs - man happily carrying a child

Forgotten Australians and former child migrants apology

Cafs would like to acknowledge the national apology to the Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants. They suffered abuse or neglect in care, in particular the Past Residents of the Ballarat Children’s Orphanage and Ballarat Children’s Homes.

 

On the 16th of November 2009, on behalf of the Australian Government, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered an unqualified apology with the support of the Opposition Leader, Malcolm Turnbull.

Cafs - Australian flag - Torres Strait Islander flag - Indigenous Australia Flag

The Great Hall at Parliament House in Canberra was filled with Forgotten Australians and their supporters. They gathered to hear Australia acknowledge that what happened in the past was both real and wrong. Their witness made sure that a largely invisible part of our history was put firmly on the record. It also continuously reminds our community of what happened to many of these children – the loss of family, the loss of identity and, in the case of child migrants, the loss of their country.

Our reconciliation action plan

Cafs recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are the First Nations Peoples of Australia.

 

We acknowledge the impact of colonisation and dispossession of generations of First Nations Peoples and the negative impact this has on the health and wellbeing of these communities in the past, and today. In particular, how our past policies and practices contributed to the irreparable breaking up of Stolen Generation families.

 

We are committed to reconciliation and seek to undertake activities that progress this aim.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan can be viewed here.

Aboriginal Flag

CAFS stories

Cafs Thread Together is leading the change in the local community


The new Cafs Thread Together clothing hub in Ballarat is a life changing moment for those who walk through its doors. However, it isn’t just the “shoppers” who are discovering its power but also the volunteers.

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How Step Up helped a young boy overcome violent behaviour toward his mum


Dylan was the last child anyone expected to be violent or aggressive. He’s the quiet one in the family. When Dylan was nine, he started lashing out at home.

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How June and Robert found the right time to become Cafs foster carers


Becoming foster carers can be a life affirming experience. June and Robert always knew that fostering would be in their future; it was just a question of timing. 

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How Cafs financial counselling helped
a dad battling with cancer


When you’re a self-employed dad, being sick comes with more concerns than your own health. With no money coming in, Tony was stressed about his family. 

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Housing Support: How Cafs ATAR team helped a father avoid eviction


Bruce was admitted to hospital for three months, and while he was in there, he asked his adult sons to take care of the home he'd been renting for the past eleven years.

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How Cafs helped Chloe and her family find hope


Chloe was 16, and her young life was falling apart. She’d dropped out of school and had started drinking and taking drugs. She also started stealing and self-harming.

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How Cafs day stay helped one young family establish a healthy bedtime routine


For Bianca and Josh, the excitement of becoming new parents was giving way to exhaustion. They were desperate for more sleep.

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Client Engagement Team 1800 692 237

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Head Office
115 Lydiard Street North
Ballarat VIC 3350

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Cafs acknowledges our past. In the spirit of reconciliation, we give deepest respect to Australia's First Nations Peoples. Their histories, their stories, their resilience. Their connection to culture and land. The wisdom of their Elders past, present and emerging.

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