The pandemic profoundly affected us all, but hit vulnerable people hardest of all.
COVID-19 affected people in a multitude of ways. Some of those with good jobs and savings suddenly found themselves without work and needing to feed their families. Staff at Anglicare Victoria’s emergency relief centres noted a rise in new clients visiting in search of food parcels and other support – so much so that demand doubled at some of our Melbourne locations. And this was just the beginning.
Anglicare Victoria helped more almost 80 per cent more women and children affected by family violence. The education specialists in our TEACHaR (Transforming Educational Achievement of CHildren at Risk) program helped 38 per cent more young people struggling in the classroom in 2020/21 compared to the year before. And our Navigator program helped 45 per cent more young people who had disengaged from education altogether return to school and regain their confidence.
We all know that the pandemic has been tough, but COVID-19: Impacting a generation shows that the road back will be long for vulnerable people as the rest of Victoria opens up and begins returning to ‘COVID-normal’. That’s why Anglicare Victoria has begun fundraising for a special Pandemic Recovery Fund to help with a broad range of issues as they recover.