About Us

Jacaranda Community Centre Inc. was set up because of the support within the Belmont and surrounding areas for an agency that offered more than financial counselling.

Aboriginal people wanted an organisation where they felt they could belong but did not want a solely Aboriginal organisation. Jacaranda Community Centre was born.

It was named Jacaranda after the Jacaranda Tree, as in Western Australia the tree can be deciduous or evergreen and changes to meet climate needs. We felt that we also needed to listen to the community and have the capacity to change, as community needs changed. The tree’s branches represent a variety of programs that the organisation can offer and our aim of reaching out to the community. It was therefore obvious that our mission was “reaching out to meet community needs” which appears as a logo.

The service as reflected by the Constitution's aims, is designed to meet the needs of people on low incomes, regardless of family composition, gender or race.  Aboriginal people are encouraged to attend (approx. 80%) and preference is currently given to people in Belmont and surrounding areas. However, if it is extended family from out of this region they will also be included. Some programs may also have a wider area as part of the funding agreement.

We use the principles underlying the Metropolitan Model of Aboriginal Family Support and Development Service, thus acknowledging issues resulting from history, past policies, racism and the current level of social disadvantage, while using the Community Development Model of Empowerment.

For a detailed history of Jacaranda, go here

Jacaranda is pleased to announce that we have just been notified by Lotterywest of our success in receiving a grant of $450,000 for the purchase of a dedicated premises for our service.  Watch this space for more news about this happy event!

Acknowledgements

We'd like to thank the following Companies and services for their help in keeping WA families from hardship.

LotteryWest grants are as diverse as the community itself. They support a wide variety of community-based proposals to enhance the lives of Western Australians. The Free family Concert would not take place without the very generous support of LotteryWest.

The AlintaCARE scheme is designed to assist clients in financial hardship who are unable to currently pay a gas bill.

Prevention of disconnection is a first priority; however, recognition is given to the need for preventative action where there is a large debt, but no immediate threat of disconnection.

We are now a sub agency through Anglicare for Telstra vouchers and this assists a client in financial difficulty to keep their phone on by vouchers to help pay the bill.

This has become extremely popular within the community for people who have no other way of procuring finance to replace or obtain items such as fridges and washing machines. The program allows individuals on low incomes and Centrelink payments to apply for an interest free loan to purchase an item up to the value of $1000. Clients have the option of repaying this loan over a 12-18 month period through Centre Pay or direct debit.