VACRO in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Non-profit organisation

VACRO

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9605 1900

Address: 116 Hardware Street 3000 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: http://vacro.org.au

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25.01.2022 When we met Sam, he was in prison, with an unstable work history and several stints inside. A lot of different things have to come together when a person decides to change their own life. For Sam, our Second Chance Cycles bicycle workshop was one of them. See how volunteering in the workshop gave Sam the confidence to seek employment and the skills to succeed in a team: www.vacro.org.au/sams-story

25.01.2022 Our family counsellor Horace first visited a prison as a kid with his dad. Fast-forward to today, and he works in one: hes usually based in Tarrengower Prison, supporting women to strengthen relationships with their kids, partners, and family members. Strong family bonds help keep people out of prison and make life better. Learn how Horace made helping families connect into his career.

24.01.2022 We know our programs get better when theyre informed by the people who use them. Were really interested in the work of the organisation User Voice, which is led by Mark Johnson, who has lived experience of the criminal justice system. User Voice starts conversations between people and service providers, to make sure peoples voices are heard. We admire Marks work. Here, you can listen to him interviewed for the Purposely Podcast about what motivates his work, and how service providers, like VACRO, can better understand the reality of life after the criminal justice system.

24.01.2022 Many children in our community confront the experience of parents being arrested When we arrest adults, more often than not, were arresting parents. About half of the people in Victorian prisons are parents. Researcher Dr Catherine Flynn is an expert on how a parents incarceration affects their children. She spoke to The Parent Trap podcast about what we can do to support kids who have a parent in prison. You can listen to it here: https://theparenttrappodcast.com/2020/0...6/30/episode-four __ This photo is by August de Richeliu and shared for free on Pexels.

24.01.2022 We know the pathway out of prison isn’t always a straight line. That’s why we look at improvements a person has made within themselves and within their own life to gauge the success of their return to community. Everyone has different aspirations - becoming an engaged parent, holding down a fulfilling job or getting involved in their local community.... That’s why we’re so pleased to hear from participants like Elsie, who finished our ReConnect program a little while ago. She’s still in touch with her case manager occasionally. That’s how we know she’s faced a few challenges with her mental health, but she’s stuck to her treatment plan, is happy and healthy, and her relationship with her parents is still strong. You can learn more about Elsie’s story here: https://www.vacro.org.au/elsies-story

24.01.2022 We all have a part to play in ending family violence. Victoria Police statistics show family violence increases by 15% on Grand Final weekend. And with this year’s coronavirus lockdown making it tougher to stay connected, family violence services are even more worried than usual about what might happen in households this weekend. But help is available. And we’re all here for each other. You can find links to services, resources and blog posts at the government’s domestic vio...lence resource website: www.dvrcv.org.au/ This weekend we’ll be watching the footy and looking out for our community. #PlayYourPart

24.01.2022 One of our case managers went Fathers Day shopping and came back with a gift for herself. Can anyone else relate?

23.01.2022 We're really excited for thisan exhibition of artworks created in Victorian prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future Dreaming is an online exhibition of artworks imagining a brighter future, created by in-prison Indigenous artists for our friends at The Torch. Future Dreaming will go live on 29 October, with artworks available to purchase from The Torch's website.

23.01.2022 Stage four lockdown hasnt stopped our support. Last week, after months of continuing to work inside prisons, we changed our ReLink program to remote delivery. Our facilitators are still working and supporting their participants through video calls, but are making sure they manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission by staying at home. Learn more about the changes were making: https://www.vacro.org.au//relink-program-continues-despite

23.01.2022 Our ReConnect team sees a lot of Victoria. We got this photo this week on the way to visit a client. Do you know where these paintings are?

22.01.2022 Horace used to be a youth worker, but became a family counsellor after realising something big. A young persons support worker isnt going to be around for the rest of their lifetheir family is. Thats what motivated Horace to turn his attention to strengthening family bonds. Learn more about Horaces work in our chat with him last week: https://www.vacro.org.au//a-career-uncovering-the-strength

22.01.2022 Socially distanced day of release! Our case managers Finn and Glen picked up participants from the same prison on the same day last week. A safe and socially distanced selfie had to happen. Our programs are still running, even through stage three and four lockdowns, and were there at the gate for every participant who asks on their day of release. ... You can learn more about our support through the pandemic here: https://www.vacro.org.au/news/covid-19-update

21.01.2022 New music made by people in prison is here. Our friends at the Community Restorative Centre in New South Wales supported women in Mary Wade Correctional Centre to write, record and release an album of ballads. This kind of self-expression is an important step in returning home from prison, because it helps people build confidence, communicate well, and devote their time and energy to healthy and safe activities. You can listen to the album and download it at Bandcamp.... https://songbirds.bandcamp.com/releases

21.01.2022 Joels little girl was his whole world. His role as her dad was a huge part of his identity. But when he went to prison, that fell away. Our family counselling team was able to help Joel get himself back on track, and strengthen both his bond with his daughter and his relationship with her mother. Theyre now working together as a team, with support from our expert counsellors.... Read Joels story to see the impact family counselling has on people who are in prison. https://www.vacro.org.au/joels-story Photo credit: Tina Bo.

21.01.2022 Returning home and back into community is like having the world rush at you at about one hundred ks an hour despite being out for more than a year, I feel like Im still trying to get my footing. Tabitha Lean is a Gunditjmara woman who was released from prison last year. She was interviewed last week by 7am podcast about the challenges of returning to community, and why people who have been in prison get branded ex-prisoners for their whole life. Its a short and eye-opening episode.

20.01.2022 One in 20 Australian kids will experience having a parent going to prison at some stage in their life. Its normal for teachers or other adults in childrens lives to feel anxious or uncertain about supporting their students. Read and download our student support resource here: https://www.vacro.org.au/Handlers/Download.ashx

20.01.2022 Hear stories about life inside directly from women in prison. Birds Eye View is a 10-part podcast produced by women inside the Darwin Correctional Centre and the team at Story Projects. Its clever, honest, silly and brave, and itll change peoples perspectives about women in prison. Listen here, or wherever you listen to podcasts: https://www.birdseyeviewpodcast.net/... Have you listened to Birds Eye View? What did you think?

19.01.2022 At 3:30pm every Thursday in September, First 1000 Days Australia is hosting free children's book reading with Elder Aunty Faye. Register now to get today's link. https://www.first1000daysaustralia.com/signupelders

17.01.2022 The pandemic has changed a lot, but one thing thats still the same is our support for our participants. Weve changed some of our services to make sure were still supporting people, while protecting everyones health and safety. In case you missed it, heres how were making sure families stay connected while prison visits are temporarily paused. https://www.vacro.org.au//77-families-linked-through-priso

17.01.2022 Its normal to feel anxious or uncertain when a family member comes home from prison. Very few people know what it feels like, and theyve probably had to manage on their own as best they can. We have a booklet for families to use with a professional, like a social worker or counsellor, to make things easier. Find our Family Transition Toolkit here: https://www.vacro.org.au/Handlers/Download.ashx

17.01.2022 Having a parent in prison can be really tough. Thats why the European organisation COPE acts with kids to make police, judges and prison staff look after the rights of kids with parents in prison. Their booklet, Its Time to Act, is a useful, easy-to-understand introduction to looking out for kids with a parent in prison.... https://childrenofprisoners.eu//EN-COPE-booklet-digital_1.

15.01.2022 "My first memory is of family violence. It was my father pushing my mother against the kitchen stove. I was two or three years old. I want children and young people whove been in the same situation as me to know: your origin is not your future. Your origin is not who you will be. The short animated film by 23-year-old family violence survivor Natasha Anderson, Tash, is available to watch online now. The film starts at about the 12-minute mark, and Natasha answers questions... afterwards. https://production.atticusmedia.com.au/tashlivepremiere/

15.01.2022 Walt’s daughter was leaving prison, and he was going to visit herbut then COVID-19 hit. Here, learn how we supported Walt to meet his daughter at the prison gate on her day of releasegiving a dedicated father the practical support he needed to be there for his girl. https://www.vacro.org.au/walts-story

14.01.2022 About one in three people in prison in Australia have a health condition or disability that affects their daily life. The Our Voices podcast tells the stories behind these statistics. The podcast introduces five members of the Centre for Innovative Justice's Voices for Change self-advocacy group. Its a group of people who have acquired brain injury, and who have experienced the criminal justice system. Theyre using their experiences to create change.... Listen to their stories here: https://omny.fm/shows/our-voices-podcast

13.01.2022 In-person prison visits paused six months ago. In response, Corrections Victoria quickly set up a Video Visits program to keep families connected. We’re proud to provide technical support to that program, helping families to connect their calls. In its first three months, our phone line supported nearly 80 families. https://www.vacro.org.au//77-families-linked-through-priso

13.01.2022 Around one in three people in prison have some form of cognitive impairment that affects their memory, learning, decision-making, or concentration. Giving participants with cognitive impairments the best possible support is part of the reason why we have a specialist disability practitioner, Dr Laura Anderson, on our ReConnect team. This week, shes giving a free webinar about cognitive impairment and how caseworkers can support participants.... Learn more about the webinar and register now.

13.01.2022 Its #NCPW day four! Today, were sharing a short list of easy things we can all do to make life safer and easier for kids. Learn more about Child Protection Week at NAPCANs website: https://www.napcan.org.au/ncpw-theme/

12.01.2022 Raising the JobSeeker rate doesn't just mean a little extra cash at Christmas. For our participants, it's the chance they need to get their lives on track and truly take their second chance. Here's what our participants buy on their first day out of prison. If we ask the government to permanently increase the rate of Centrelink payments including JobSeeker, it could mean a real difference. Learn more: https://raisetherate.org.au/

12.01.2022 How do judges make their decisions? What do they consider in deciding a sentence, and what do they leave out? The Sentencing Council of Victoria runs free, online workshops that put you in the judges seat. Youll learn how judges come to their decisions, hear arguments from both sides, hand down your sentence, and learn more about how sentences are selected. The first workshop is booked out, but you can browse all sessions and book for September now: https://www.eventbrite....com/o/sentencing-advisory-council-30 Photo: Brett Sayles.

12.01.2022 Every kid deserves to grow up safe, healthy, and happy. Today is World Children’s Dayan international day to improve children’s welfare worldwide. But still in Australia, kids as young as 10 can be jailed. Today, learn from our friends at Jesuit Social Services about the problem of imprisoning kids, and what we can all do to stop it. Learn more about the campaign and add your voice: https://www.raisetheage.org.au/

12.01.2022 This week is Homelessness Week: a national, annual campaign that aims to end homelessness. Research shows that more than half of all people leaving Victorian prisons expect to be homeless on release. Everyone deserves a safe home to go to, and that includes people in contact with the criminal justice system. Learn more about #HW2020 and how to be involved: ... https://www.homelessnessaustralia.org.au//homelessness-wee See more

11.01.2022 Walts visit to his daughter in prison was cancelled, but we were there for him. Hed organised to visit her, in a prison 150 kilometres away from his home, but then COVID-19 temporarily stopped prison visits. Instead, we were able to support him and his grandkids to get to the prison gate for his girls day of release.... Heres how it happened in Walts story: https://www.vacro.org.au/walts-story Photo credit: Tim Doefler

10.01.2022 Mental health is the most common area in which our participants request support. Our ReConnect program manager Sarah is so committed to supporting good mental health, both at work and at home, that she's sporting a mullet for the month of September to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute's work in mental health research. Learn more about her motivation and this important cause: https://www.teamblackdog.org.au/fundraisers/sarahhughes

10.01.2022 Yesterday marked the start of this years National Child Protection Week: a national campaign that puts childrens wellbeing on the national agenda. As Victorias leading organisation for people in the criminal justice system, we put children first in our work strengthening the family bonds that help kids thrive. Every day this week, well be sharing a #NCPW resource or activity to show our support for kids and their families.

10.01.2022 Hear from our participants themselves about what makes our work different. Weve delivered the post-release program, ReConnect, in the Grampians and Barwon South West regions of Victoria since 2015. ReConnect participants are leaving prison and want to work to get their lives on track. And our case workers are there to support them every step of the way.... ReConnect is funded by the Department of Justice and Community Safety - Corrections Victoria. You can learn more about the program here: https://www.vacro.org.au/reconnect

09.01.2022 People who have been in prison can play a crucial role in designing programs and solutions. Our friends at the After Prison Network are hosting three webinars in November, spotlighting people with lived experience of imprisonment. It’ll help services like us improve our work. Learn more, and register for the webinars, here: https://apn.cw3.events/agenda/

07.01.2022 Storytime: here’s how a person’s release day from prison is made easier with personal support from our case managers. Johnny was being released from a regional prison in Victoria and had an eight-hour-long drive back home to the coast. Eight hours in a car with just one other person could be a long and stale drive, but our case manager had met Johnny twice before his release and had the trip planned.... The case manager had prepared a playlist based on the type of music Johnny said he enjoyed during one of their pre-release meetings: 90s hip hop, Bob Marley. He told Johnny not to hesitate to ask for a break any time he needed one, and the case manager would pull the car over. But the drive went so well the two men cruised home like they were long-lost mates. Eight hours went by without them even realising! The two were able to discuss in more detail what Johnny wants in his life and what wisdom he’s gained from his time in the justice system. On the way home, Johnny asked to stop the car. In accordance with his cultural beliefs, he explained he needed to wash away any evil spirits from prison before coming home. As a saltwater fulla, Johnny needed to go to the beach. Despite the cold weather and the heavy rain, Johnny and his case manager stood alone on the vast, remote beach, looking over the ocean. Johnny then stripped his clothes and dived into cold water, re-emerging cleansed, with a new sense of energy. The next morning, Johnny and his case manager started work to get things on track for him at home. They made an appointment with the local Aboriginal cooperative, and met with culturally safe health professionals, to make sure Johnny’s health needs are met in a way that respects his identity and supports his ambitions. VACRO is an organisation that loves to work together with other services, to make sure participants like Johnny have the very best support they need. With a case manager who cares about his success, and useful support that respects his unique identity and needs, Johnny has the start he needs to succeed after prison. Photo: Leonides Ruvalcabar

05.01.2022 A lot of people leaving prison cant go back home. That was the case for Jenny. She was released from prison with nowhere to go. Facing homelessness, she decided to go back to Ballaratwhere the kindness of a stranger and Jennys own courage helped her get her life on track. For #HW2020, learn how a safe and stable home let Jenny reach her goals: https://www.vacro.org.au/jennys-story... Photo credit: Elliot Reyna

03.01.2022 Its #NCPW day six! Today, were sharing a program of free, online webinars, for people who want to learn more about the work being done to support kids. Were interested in todays webinar on childrens health: how circumstances outside of their control often lead to poorer health. Learn what can be done by registering:... https://www.napcan.org.au/official-program-webinars-events/

03.01.2022 Sometimes, the final pin falls down by itself. When we first met our participant Luke, he was shy, withdrawn, and uninterested in our support. So our case manager made the effort to build a relationship with Luke, rather than just ticking through the checklist of reintegration goals. ... They started tenpin bowling together, which helped Luke open upand take his return back home into his own hands. Meet Luke and learn more: https://www.vacro.org.au/lukes-story Photo: Jorik Kleen

02.01.2022 Finding work is difficult, and its even tougher with a criminal record. Choosing whether or not to talk about your criminal record when applying for work is a personal decision. Here are our tips for what to start thinking about.

02.01.2022 Stories are one of the simplest ways of explaining to a kid what happens when a parent goes to prison. Every Single Kid is an organisation just like VACRO working with kids and families of people who are imprisoned in the United States. Here, they list 11 picture books suitable for helping kids as young as four understand their situation. http://everysinglekid.org/resources-for-kids/... What have you used to help children around you understand whats happening when an adult goes to prison?

02.01.2022 Today marks the end of this years National Child Protection Week: a national campaign that puts childrens wellbeing on the national agenda. As Victorias leading organisation for people in the criminal justice system, we support children with connection and understanding. We run family counselling and family visits programs, and have resources for kids available on our website Learn more about the role we play every day supporting Victorian kids: http://bit.ly/vacro-families

02.01.2022 When a parent goes to prison, who looks after the kids? Often, its grandparents. We know that nearly 50,000 families with children in Australia are led by grandparents, and some of these families have experienced a parent going to prison. Weve produced a series of fact sheets for families, including a specific resource for grandparents who become carers to their grandkids.... You can find our resources here: https://www.vacro.org.au/Handlers/Download.ashx __ Photo credit: Juan Pablo Serrano Arenas.

01.01.2022 Music for cleaning the house, a weekend workout, or to turn your lounge room into a temporary disco. DJ Peter Apostle has had contact with the criminal justice system, but today is healthy, clean, with a great and full life. He drops weekend mixes to help lift your spirits. https://soundcloud.com//a-piece-of-my-soul-a/s-8LoEiF8VHJB

01.01.2022 Its #NCPW day three! Today, were sharing free activity sheets for kids, produced by NAPCAN for National Child Protection Week. Download and print these to work through at home.

01.01.2022 Finding a job can be tough. Its even harder for many people facing disadvantage, including job-seekers who have been unemployed for a long time, who live with disability or ill mental health, who come from a refugee background, or who have spent time in prison. The government knows that. Thats why its Jobs Victoria Employment Network was set upto support Victorians facing barriers to employment into jobs. Yesterday, a parliamentary committee finalised a new, in-depth repo...rt looking at what support disadvantaged job-seekers need. In the report, it recommends funding the Jobs Victoria Employment Network for five more years. Were glad to see this, and believe specialised employment support benefits both job-seekers and businesses. You can read the full report and learn more about the committees work here: https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au//inquiry-into-sustainabl