Community Connections

Community Connections offers support to people with a range of abilities in the Mt Evelyn and surrounding communities. Currently there are two bases located in Wray Crescent and Ormeau Rd.

All services and supports offered are based around each individual's identified needs, wants and visions for their future.

People are supported to pursue leisure and recreation, employment and volunteer opportunities, as well as being involved in all those other things aligned with people leading every day lives including, preparing and cooking food, paying bills, shopping, meeting people with like or similar interests, using public transport, making plans, participating in the life of the local community and being involved in community issues, events and activities.

Cecilia's Story

Everyone deserves the chance to live the life they want to live. This is a story about a woman who was given that chance and is thriving because of it.

Cecilia North Coombs is a vibrant woman who has always had a passion for beauty and hair. She has recently completed a Certificate 2 in Hairdressing at Morrisons Educational Services in Mt Evelyn. For the past five years she has been working two days a week at a local supermarket and one afternoon a week at a local Mt Evelyn hairdressing salon.

The opportunity to grow and learn is something that everyone deserves, including people with disabilities. Everyone deserves to feel as if they have a purpose and that they belong, however some people in our community may miss this chance.

Cecilia is fortunate to have fantastic support in the form of Melba Support Services – Community Connections. This is a service that offers support for people with a disability. Through a planning process Cecilia has identified and undertaken the steps to complete a course and hold two jobs. Melba Support Services spend time with people like Cecilia and support the development of skill sets that enhance opportunities of employment and meaningful roles within people’s local communities.

With the help and direction that Melba provides, Cecilia has come a long way. This was all possible because everyone involved thought about what could really be accomplished and were willing to learn new life skills - from the teacher, other students, the staff and clients of the salon, they have all learnt valuable lessons about the diversity of people and the contribution we each can make to community life.

Melba Support Services want people to gain more than just a job or membership to a club. They want people to gain a sense of belonging and to develop a role in the community that is valued by everyone, because after all that is something that everyone deserves and can achieve, like Cecilia.

Written with support from

Semester 1 2009 Public Relations Writing Students

Swinburne University of Technology Lilydale

More information is available from http://www.yarrarangeslearning.net.au/stories.html

If you'd like to find out more contact:

Sally Nicol - Manager Ormeau Road/ Wray Cres

Ph ¦ 9760-8202

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