Wingate Avenue Community Centre

Wingate Avenue Community Centre is a trusted neighbourhood house located in the heart of the Ascot Vale Public Housing Estate, within reach of the Flemington and North Melbourne public housing communities. Established in 1985, Wingate Avenue Community Centre works alongside local residents to remove barriers to participation and improve quality of life through safe, welcoming, affordable and inclusive programs and services. Guided by a commitment to social justice, advocacy and community-led action, they support people experiencing disadvantage to increase agency, connection and opportunity.

Their work responds to complex and overlapping challenges including poverty, food distress, housing instability, unemployment, family violence, mental health concerns, and the needs of newly arrived migrant and refugee communities. More than 600 people access the centre each week for integrated support, including education and English language classes, employment assistance, community development programs, occasional childcare, food relief, case work and form support. The Centre also provides a warm entry point to co-located and visiting services such as legal assistance, financial counselling, maternal and child health, psychological support, housing support and Services Australia. Wingate Avenue Community Centre is best placed to do this work because they are deeply embedded in the community, locally governed, and supported by more than 30 staff who understand residents’ strengths and challenges.

Their current urgent funding priorities are social support (social workers), family outreach, youth work and food relief. Their impact is demonstrated through consistent community use, with around 60 households receiving food relief each week and more than 158 community members supported by their social workers each month.

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