Strategic Plan

Introduction

Connecting Home is an independent Aboriginal Organisation supporting survivors of the Stolen Generations across South Eastern Australia. We work collaboratively across the Aboriginal and broader mainstream service sectors, to respond to the varied needs of survivors and their families. Since we were established in 2010 we have provided support to over 300 members of the Stolen Generations and their families in Victoria.

Today Connecting Home provides a range of case management, disability support services to our clients as well as education programs to the broader community. The organisation continues to explore and seek opportunities to meet the emerging needs and aspirations of members of the Stolen Generations and their families.

In the last few years we have focused on ensuring our services are second to none and meet international, national and state quality standards. We have achieved a great deal in developing our practice to ensure we are able to deliver the best model of care we can for our clients.

We recognise the heightened disadvantage for our clients as they age including the direct impacts of removal (trauma, grief, loss) and the implications for Stolen Generations survivors such as poor health, reliance on government payments, lack of housing security, discrimination and association with the justice system.[1] For the children and grandchildren (and extended family) of members of the Stolen Generations the occurrence of inter-generational trauma is significant.

We are determined to ensure we can grow in order to support more of the estimated 600 members of the Stolen Generations living throughout Victoria.[2] We will continue to improve our existing programs and expand the range of programs we offer to include aged care and disability as well as programs with a focus on inter-generational trauma, specific healing programs and cultural activities. We will be seen as a leader in designing and delivering good practice models of care that promote healing for stolen generations and their families.

We know we cannot do this on our own. We will work with other Stolen Generations service agencies to ensure the system as a whole is responsive to our clients’ needs and continue to be a strong advocate in Victoria and nationally to ensure members of the Stolen Generations and their families are recognised, heard and achieve justice.

Ian Hamm
Chairperson

[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Stolen Generations aged 50 and over, November 2018.
[2] Ibid