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CHIPS

Phone: +61 3 9702 5528

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25.01.2022 We’d love you to consider donating to CHIPS before the end of this financial year. Even though CHIPS hasn’t been able to run our normal programs, we’ve been working hard to make sure that local children at risk feel loved and supported during these unprecedented times. As the End of Financial Year approaches, we are aiming to raise $20,000, which is the projected shortfall for CHIPS this year. ... Are you able to help? Even a small amount will make a huge difference. If you’d like to donate please head to: https://www.givenow.com.au/chips In times like these, every little bit counts. If you’d like further details of what we’ve been up to, or would like to sign up for our newsletter (for regular updates), please email us: [email protected] Thank you for your continued support - we wouldn’t be able to do what we do without you.

22.01.2022 Day Five of National Volunteer Week...and today’s Volunteer focus is our Event, Fundraising and Admin Volunteers. CHIPS’ Event and Fundraising Volunteers have been wonderfully managed by one of CHIPS’ passionate, long-term volunteers and employees, Mellissa, over a period of approximately 12 years. Mellissa has always brought an amazing level of compassion and enthusiasm in her role at CHIPS. We are truly grateful for the hours and hours of work she has put into making sure ...Continue reading

21.01.2022 More women are coming forward for the first time to report family violence, according to Victorian research that shows COVID-19 lockdowns have worsened the potential for abuse in many homes. In what researchers believe to be Australia’s first published study measuring the early impacts of the crisis on domestic violence, Monash University surveyed 166 family violence victim support practitioners across Victoria during a four-week period from the end of April into May. "With t...he families being stuck at home, with even the playgrounds in our area roped off, this has been a tinderbox in many households and has made the circumstances for many women unbearable," one practitioner said. The report found: - Almost 60 per cent of practitioners said the COVID-19 pandemic had increased the frequency of violence against women. - Half of respondents said the severity of violence had increased. - The number of first-time family violence reports had gone up for 42 per cent of practitioners surveyed. For the full article please head to: https://www.theage.com.au//new-reports-of-family-violence- Even with stage 4 restrictions, you will NOT be fined for leaving your home to escape family violence. You are allowed to leave your home at any time to escape family violence. If you need to leave your home because you are unsafe, the curfew will not apply to you, and if you need to travel further than 5km to be safe, you will not be fined. Help is still available. Contact safe steps Family Violence Response Centre on: - 1800 015 188 - https://www.safesteps.org.au/ Or use their webchat function between 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday: https://www.safesteps.org.au//family-violence-webchat-sup/

21.01.2022 During these unprecedented times, we are aware that many young people and their families are struggling with the challenges Lockdown 2.0 presents. Lockdown is hard. It hurts our young people and it can be draining for parents. Whilst the first lockdown period was tricky as we navigated new challenges, most of us managed okay and got through it. This time it’s different. The pressure is higher. The demands are greater. The children are more oppositional. The home learni...ng stretch will be longer. There’s work stress, family stress, and stress about being stressed. While we can’t click our fingers and make it magically disappear, there are real strategies that parents and children can rely on to not just survive but thrive. They are simple ideas that you can start on right away. Join Dr Justin Coulson, one of Australia’s most trusted parenting specialists, as he shares four secrets to make it through the pain of the winter COVID-19 Victorian lockdown. This experience aims to develop habits and practices that will support your children and YOU to navigate the challenges of Lockdown 2.0, build resilience and strengthen relationships. Find out more information at https://www.kilbreda.vic.edu.au//Lightening%20the%20Load%2

21.01.2022 The Captain and one of our wonderful volunteers, Ray, spent the morning cleaning out CHIPS’ garage, which has become home to a family of Brushtail Possums. Each day, over the past three weeks, the Captain has gingerly taken the leader of the gang (Patrick) out of the garage, and placed him on the tree in the front yard, where we have created a secure, warm home for him. Each day, Patrick welcomes the Captain, as he is (once again) caught in the possum trap in the garage.... Today, Patrick was nowhere to be seen. FINALLY! (we thought) Patrick has stayed in his new home outside. Hmmm...think again!

17.01.2022 Today marks 66 years since the United Nations established World Children’s Day. On the same day in 1989, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the international human rights treaty known as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. COVID-19 has impacted the lives of billions of children all over the world and has created a massive disruption in education. The pandemic has also led to a significant increase in the number of children living in multidimens...ional poverty, which means that they lack access to fundamental resources such as education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation and water. World Children’s Day presents an important opportunity for adults to pay attention to the voices of children and imagine a different future not FOR children but WITH them. Children deserve to be acknowledged as knowing, experienced and capable human beings. Adults can honour that right by inviting children into conversations, listening to what they have to say and taking their thoughts and feelings seriously. Rethinking childhood through a justice lens acknowledges children as fundamental to our world, not simply for what they might become, but who they are and what they can do, right now. From- World Children’s Day: Young people deserve to be heard during COVID-19 By Julie C. Garlen, Carleton University

17.01.2022 FANTASTIC NEWS!!!! CHIPS has reached our Christmas Hamper fundraising target in just under 3 weeks! WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!! ... Thank you to EVERYONE who donated. You are all truly AMAZING!! On the weekend we picked up 110 boxes of Bonbons and today we received 1,210 non- perishable food items from our local supermarket. That’s a LOT of food! So for now, Ted, Smallfry and the Captain are recuperating and getting ready for our next round of deliveries Thank you for making sure other families can experience the joy of Christmas this year...you certainly all continue to Change Little Worlds in BIG Ways It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas

16.01.2022 With your help, CHIPS only needs $2,878 to reach our fundraising goal of $5,000 to pay for the items we purchased to provide over 900 Home Activity Packs for isolated children during Covid-19. The Home Activity Packs were a HUGE success, with children and families expressing their heart-felt gratitude for being thought of and supported during such a stressful time. Just $20 will fund two Activity Bags!... Words aren't enough to describe how much we appreciate everything you all do to assist children and families in need. Thank you for being our Champions

14.01.2022 CHIPS Christmas and Compassion Greeting Card packs are now available Head to: www.chips.org.au/shop to purchase and for further details. Your support will ensure CHIPS’ vital work, with primary aged children in crisis, continues.

13.01.2022 WOO HOO! CHIPS has just reached 1,000 likes- and what better person to help us reach that milestone, than our very first Grandma, Robyn Thomas

13.01.2022 As another term starts with some of our Chaplains adjusting again to off-site support, CHIPS Volunteers are continuing to provide and pack Cups of Kindness for various primary school teachers and support staff. These gifts are given out after Captain Eric’s PD’s (Navigating through Covid), as a small token of appreciation for all of the work school staff are currently doing in ever-changing circumstances. On another bright note...at the end of last term CHIPS farewelled Mercedes (one of our current Chaplains), as she started her Maternity Leave. We pray Mercedes’ birth will go well, as her and her husband welcome their sweet little baby boy.

12.01.2022 CHIPS has started to receive some truly beautiful artworks for our Inaugural Art Challenge...but we'd love to have even more! This is a great way to inspire your children’s creativity, keep them engaged and involve them in helping to raise money for children in crisisand it’s FREE!!! There’s great prizes available for the winners of each section and the winning entries will get their artwork printed as a greeting card (as part of a greeting card pack).... Entries must be received at CHIPS by Friday 26th June 2020. For all the details please see the poster below. We look forward to seeing your children’s beautiful artwork. (Any questions? Please contact CHIPS on 9702 5528 or [email protected])

11.01.2022 As schools have started to resume on-site learning again, our wonderful Chaplains have been spoiling teachers with pamper or stationary packs or beautiful morning teas It's just our way of thanking teachers for the tremendous amount of work they've put in, especially over the past couple of months, to ensure children still feel connected, supported and valued. Teachers truly are Champions for Children

09.01.2022 CHIPS was SO excited to receive nearly 40 entries for our Inaugural Art Challenge, from children aged 5-12. It was really hard to pick 12 winners, but we finally managed to do so, and are in the process of getting the cards professionally printed. ALL entrants have been notified and will be receiving a small gift from CHIPS in the weeks ahead.... The cards will be sold in packs of 12...so be sure to keep an eye out on our Social Media pages for details on how to purchase them. Apart from the beautiful artworks, we hope that the cards will raise much needed funds and awareness about CHIPS and the work we continue to do to assist primary aged children and their families. Great work everyone

09.01.2022 You can purchase a fabric face mask from just about anywhere at the moment, but before you go buying from a chain-store or big retailer, check out CHIPS’ Face Masks. CHIPS Face Masks are comfortable to wear, are made from 100% 3 ply cotton, have adjustable ear loops, an integrated metal nose piece, a removable PM 2.5 filter and feature CHIPS’ mascot- Small Fry! With each CHIPS Face Mask you purchase, you are providing support to children and their families who are experienci...ng trauma, grief or loss in their lives. So please, buy a CHIPS Face Mask from our shop and spread the word...EVERY little bit helps. www.chips.org.au/shop

08.01.2022 Although not medical-grade, some of our awesome CHIPS Volunteers are using their gorgeous Tribe Bandanas as face masks until their other ones arrive. Captain Eric, Cathy and all of CHIPS’ Chaplains hope you are all keeping safe and well. If you need support or assistance, please remember you can contact us, as we are all still working during this time:... [email protected] or 03 9702 5528. See more

07.01.2022 As part of CHIPS’ work around the schools, this week Captain Eric delivered prizes and gifts for students who entered our Inaugural Art Challenge Competition. CHIPS received a number of beautiful artworks around the themes of Compassion or Kindness. Due to Covid, only students of essential workers are currently learning on-site, so Captain Eric wasn’t able to personally congratulate each child.... But...Aaliyah (a Grade 6 student) WAS at school, so Captain Eric was able to congratulate her personally and present her with a certificate and prize. Aaliyah drew a beautiful Christmas-themed picture which reflected the meaning and joy of Christmas. Congratulations to all the children who participated and for your beautiful artwork.

07.01.2022 Do you ever feel like crying...tears of joy? We at CHIPS certainly feel like that today. In just 7 days...7 DAYS, YOU have all donated just over $4,000 to our Christmas Hamper Fundraiser!!!!!!! ... We are absolutely blown away by your generosity and helping us to get well over halfway to our goal, in such a short space of time. To date, we have had requests for 107 Christmas Hampers, so we are aiming to make up 110 Hampers this year! A short recap on how you can help... This year we asking you if your family would like to buy another family a Christmas Hamper? There are three ways you can contribute: 1. $25- Christmas Hamper Family Game which provides a family board game (such as Operation, Monopoly Junior, Mouse Trap, etc) in the Hamper, for a family to enjoy together. 2. $40- Christmas Hamper Food which includes: a Bertocchi ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, fruit salad, plum pudding, custard, soft drink, short bread, bon bons and candy canes. 3. $65- Christmas Hamper with Family Game which includes: a Bertocchi ham, potatoes, mixed vegetables, fruit salad, plum pudding, custard, soft drink, short bread, bon bons, candy canes AND a family board game. If you’d like to support a local family this Christmas, then click on the link below to donate. (NB: Donations need to be received by December 10th.) Thank you SO MUCH for your continued support - we simply wouldn't be CHIPS without you! https://www.givenow.com.au/chipschristmashampers

07.01.2022 We're pretty sure no one else does Teacher PD's (via Zoom) dressed like this, or with so much mess on the floor! Captain Eric has been presenting "Coping with Covid" Seminars over the past few weeks, which equates to him seeing over 255 staff across eight primary schools! The feedback has been fantastic:... I have known CHIPS for 20 years and they have always provided practical support with a laugh. (They have provided) inspiration and skills to enhance our calling as teachers of children in a challenging time. (Principal) "What a great session with Eric about understanding how our body and mind reacts under traumatic circumstances. The research behind the physiological strategies to support better mental health, such as breathing, sleeping well, working in a cycle of having breaks was great advice." "A big thank you to Captain Eric and his team. He presented a dynamic chat with videos and visuals via Zoom which was no mean feat??? He tackled the Coming out of Covid with a staff that was finding this time a real challenge. Staff commented how upbeat and energised the presentation was and they took away strategies that they could enact straight away. The show bag of goodies put together by your team to show teachers that they are appreciated was beautiful." Covid has been a challenging time for the CHIPS team, but with your on-going help and financial support we have been able to continue to provide meaningful support to WHOLE primary school communities. If you would like to be put on our mailing list to receive our monthly newsletter, please email us: [email protected] Now...to get Captain Eric to clean up his room!

06.01.2022 Today, one of our long-term office volunteers (Russ) quickly popped into the CHIPS office to drop off a gift to commemorate 21 years of our Life Gets Better Camps. The gift is a beautiful cross-stitch of a little child and their Grandfather, walking down to a lake (with their fishing rods and old, faithful dog), along a narrow dirt track. Across the bottom of the picture are the words- "Changing Little Worlds in BIG Ways"...CHIPS' motto. Sometimes it's hard to know how much w...e can truly change a little world in a BIG way when our time with children is so short, but then we receive beautiful letters like these below (and pic): "Hey Cathy. Sad that I can't be at the upcoming Life Gets Better camp but I'm thinking about you all and praying for a great camp. As I write this I am bumping down the highway in a big, old American school bus in New Jersey USA. For the last 10 weeks I have had the privilege of working at summer camp, with a group of 8 and 9 year old boys. My time here in the U.S comes to an end in a few weeks’ time and I have been reflecting on my journey to this point. Back in 2002 I attended a Life Gets Better Camp and a few years later began volunteering on camps. I can say without a doubt that without Life Gets Better camps and the countless amazing program's that C.H.I.P.S does I would not be the person that I am today. All the way from New Jersey USA I just want to say a huge thank you to the C.H.I.P.S team for the amazing work they do in encouraging kids to be kids. I can't wait to hear about the camp when I get back." "I would like to say a big THANK YOU to all the CHIPS team for the amazing experience they enabled my boys to have during camp over the weekend. It melted my heart to see such joy & happiness from both of them. It's certainly a credit to you all for doing such a great job. I cannot thank you enough for giving two boys the best experience of their life. Thank you." Oh, how we've missed seeing all of those little faces, and catching up with our amazing team of volunteers this year and how sad we are that we aren't able to celebrate the positive impact that we've ALL had in these precious little ones lives, over the past 21 years. BUT...how grateful we are that we have been given the opportunity to be "present", to "see, hear, understand and accept" the children JUST AS THEY ARE, because each one is of intrinsic value. So, today we say- THANK YOU! Thank you to EVERY ONE who has supported CHIPS' Life Gets Better camps over the past 21 years and for going on this amazing journey with us. You truly are continuing to Change Little Worlds In BIG Ways.

05.01.2022 If you're looking for a web designer, we can highly recommend Chris from Youchoose Web Design and Hosting, who has just helped us update our website. Thanks HEAPS Chris for all of your help and patience.

05.01.2022 Everyone at CHIPS is sure missing our Volunteers and Buddies right now, so here’s a BIG virtual hug for you all Please remember to take care of yourself, connect with others (even if it’s via phone), be kind and take time out to look up in awe (either at the clouds, the blue sky or the stars)...it really does help.

04.01.2022 'THERE'S MORE TO SAY AFTER R U OK?' 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and circumstances have made it even more important for us all to stay connected and, for those who are able, be willing to support those around us. This year R U OK?Day is helping Australians know what to say when someone says they’re not OK and guide them through how they can continue a conversation that could change a life. You don’t have to be an expert to keep the conversation going when som...eone says they’re not OK. By knowing what to say you can help someone feel supported and access appropriate help long before they’re in crisis, which can make a really positive difference to their life. Learn what to say after R U OK? and download their FREE resources for tips and ideas to help you share the message in your community: https://www.ruok.org.au/join-r-u-ok-day *wording taken off the R U OK? website*

04.01.2022 To all the dads, the dads to be, those missing their dads, those that can't be near their dads, the dads going through tough times and those dads we choose for ourselves. Happy Father’s Day!

01.01.2022 Pre-Christmas Sale on CHIPS Face Masks. 32% off the regular price. Limited time only.... *profits go towards assisting children and their families who have experienced trauma, grief or loss in their lives*