COMMUNAL JUSTICE PROJECT A “Whole of Church” Response to Communal Justice….

UnitingCare Australia One of Australia’s largest non government providers of community services Around 1,500 service delivery sites across Australia Services provided to in excess of 2 million people annually UnitingCare networks employs 35,000 staff The network is supported by 24,000 volunteers Annual turnover 2.3 Billion per year 2

Lentara UnitingCare Lentara UnitingCare is an agency of the Uniting Church in Australia, serving the people of the North and West of Melbourne. We aim to :- affirm cultural and religious diversity show compassion for the vulnerable encourage people to value and use their strengths advocate on behalf of those who are disadvantaged challenge inequity and injustice and work for social change. 3

Communal Justice Project Lentara UnitingCare’s Communal Justice Project is a unique and innovative project initiative arising out of the needs of those being released from prison and has been in operation within Victoria, Australia for three years. The project need arose from the Uniting Church in Australia Prison Chaplains identifying a range of needs of those being released from prison. 4

Service Delivery Partnerships UnitingCare Agencies across Victoria Uniting Church in Australia Presbyteries and Congregations Other Community Organisations Communal Justice Reference Group Communal Justice Referral Group Uniting Church in Australia Prison Chaplains 5

Individual Planning for Release from Prison Housing Focus on obtaining private rental accommodation for men and women transitioning from prison to the community Seek to establish eligibility for other housing options such as public or community housing, whilst further developing the capacity of the individual to contribute to obtaining private rental through gaining employment. 6

Individual Planning for Release from Prison Social Support Health and wellbeing Employment and/or education 7

Reflection What has worked? What hasn’t worked? What we don’t know …… 8