SalvoConnect Centre opens in Geelong city centre
6 September 2013
The Salvation Army opened a new SalvoConnect complex in the centre of Geelong on Thursday 29th August – a region where community need continues to grow.
At the opening of the centre, Network Director Lorrinda Hamilton acknowledged that the need in the Geelong and wider region is great – especially amongst migrant families and in the area of housing.
The Salvation Army Territorial Commander Commissioner Floyd Tidd opened the complex along with other leaders from the area. The complex will centralise mental health services and women’s services.
The SalvoConnect Women’s Services provides linked programs within the one service to specifically address homelessness issues for women. Programs include support for adult women, young parents, those accessing private rental and victims of domestic violence.
Women accessing this service can also be referred to the SalvoConnect Alcohol and Other Drugs Services should they have addiction issues, or other services provided by The Salvation Army across the region.
The co-location of these two services to a more central location in Geelong means that The Salvation Army will be able to offer a more integrated response to people in the Barwon region.
Major Bruce Stevens, Divisional Commander for Western Victoria predicted that this service will become a referral point to other services.
“For the people that we serve – the city centre is where we need to be,” said Major Stevens.
The opening of the SalvoConnect base in Geelong is the result of a lengthy process to clarify how the needs of the local community can most effectively be met.
The second phase of this project will be finalised within the next year.