It's about the children

Over the past three years, Communities for Children has overseen the delivery of hundreds of activities in the Onkaparinga area for children, their parents and families.

A typical comment from one of the parents was after a drumming workshop. One of the mums had a toddler described as "a tornado coming from one distraction to the next". After the workshop she said "my son plays with his drum all the time, he will drum by himself and sing along, he also loves it when I drum along with him. I feel like I am battling less with him now."

Anglicare SA and UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide are the facilitating partners for the Communities for Children Onkaparinga Initiative.

The Initiative

The Initiative is funded by the Commonwealth Government under the Family Support Program, and is grounded in community development, building strong partnerships and collaborative action and making use of strong evidence of what works in early intervention and prevention. The activities build on the strengths of the community and the existing infrastructure of organisations, networks and resources.

Who is it for?

Communities for Children addresses the needs of children 0-12 years, and their families, to give children the best possible start in life. It directly helps children, but also influences their environments: their family, their community and the broader social, economic and cultural context.

Area

The Onkaparinga site consists of the suburbs of Hackham, Hackham West, Christie Downs, Morphett Vale, Lonsdale, Aldinga, Aldinga Beach and Sellicks Beach.

Strategic plan

A community strategic plan has been prepared, based on community consultation by the Communities for Children Onkaparinga committee.

The Communities for Children Onkaparinga committee is a representative group of community members, non-government service providers, experts in early childhood development, the business community and Commonwealth, State and Local governments. The committee has been set up to work with Anglicare SA and UnitingCare Wesley Adelaide on community consultation, developing the community strategic plan and supporting activities over the life of the initiative.

To view the Communities for Children Onkaparinga Strategic Plan (PDF format), click here

Activities

Activities aim to build partnerships between key stakeholders including community leaders and members, family and community service providers, business and government, to build a common goal of improved outcomes for children aged 0-12 years.

Here is a list of Communities for Children Onkaparinga current activities

Current Activities

Linking families and services

Southern Family Links

Connecting families and services;
Contact Kathy, Southern Junction Community Services, 8326 2955

Mobile Family Resource Facility

Mobile Family Connections

Provides isolated families with a range of support services and play and learn experiences at a street level.
Contact Jessica, Centacare, 8234 9180

Child Friendly Charter

Facilitating Partner

To create and promote a Child Friendly Charter that ensures all early childhood services, businesses and the recreation and leisure sector provide child/family friendly environments that meet the needs of young children and their families.

Let's Do It Together

Family Day

Stepping Stones C/Downs
Bringing the Community together for a fun free day for Families
Erica — 8186 3555

Animal Themes

Southern Junction Community Services
3 child and family focused events including Animal Themes,
Transport and Cooking
Kathy — 8326 2955

Garden and Art Activity

Centacare/Coolock House
An activity for children and mums
Sarah — 8382 6699

Make Morphett Vale Magic

The Smith Family
A celebration of the merger between schools and playgroups
Rachel — 8382 7619

Parent Nights

Stepping Stones M/Vale
Parenting workshops held once a month for 3 months
Sharon — 8322 8055

Active Play

Hackham West Community Centre
Providing opportunities for families to be involved in active play with their children
Karen — 8384 1065

Family Events x 3

Woodcroft M/Vale Neighbourhood Centre
3 whole family events to engage families in child focussed activities
Toni — 8384 0070

Family Fun Day

Lonsdale Heights School
A family fun day for families, parents and children 0-12 years old
Elaine — 8382 8206

Parenting by Connection Courses x 9

Community Transformations
Free parenting by connection course for families in the local community
Ann — 8270 7783

Recreation & Leisure

Animal Barn Visit

Christie Downs School
A visit with families to the Animal Barn
Margaret — 8382 3266

African Culture

Stepping Stones C/Downs
To experience African culture and history
Erica — 8186 3555

Animal Barn Visit

Centacare/Coolock House
A visit with families to the Animal Barn
Sarah — 8382 6699

Bowling

Hackham West Children’s Centre
A bowling activity for children and Fathers, Uncles and Grandfathers
Tracy — 8382 6161

Vegetable & Herb Garden

Stepping Stones M/Vale
To set up a vegetable and herb garden in the kindy yard
Sharon — 8322 8055

Family Mini Olympics Day

Southern Junction Community Centre
A family focussed activity with attention on family relationships and learning
Kathy — 8326 2955

Recreation & Life Skills Program

The Smith Family
Recreation and life skills after school program
Tammy — 8186 2093

Antenatal Dad’s

Coolock House
Cathy Araki — 8382 6699