New leader installed at Port Kembla Community of Hope
BY DEAN SIMPSON
The Salvation Army’s presence in the steelworks region of Port Kembla (NSW) has been boosted by the installation of Auxiliary-Lieutenant Stephen Dunn as Mission Leader.
NSW/ACT Divisional Commander Major Robyn Black installed Stephen on 16 January to lead the newly established Port Kembla Community of Hope.
Stephen’s installation was held at The Foundery, a complex at the top of Wentworth Street in the heart of Wollongong’s industrial suburb.
“I am praying it [Port Kembla Community of Hope] will be like a light on a hilltop, bringing light and hope to everyone in the community,” Robyn said.
The complex also houses The Salvation Army First Floor Program, a Jesus-centred holistic service supporting wellbeing and empowering individuals and families impacted by the challenging behaviours of a loved one.
“The Port Kembla Community of Hope and the First Floor Program are two separate entities, but there will obviously be collaboration between the two,” Stephen said.
Stephen’s appointment has been about 12 months in the making, and he is glad to again be working alongside his wife, Marilyn, who coordinates the First Floor Program. They met with divisional leaders several times in the past year to present their proposal for ministry at The Foundery.
“I led the Salvos’ mission at Ulladulla (two hours south of Wollongong) for six years, and the travel and being away from home was quite demanding at times. So, it will be good to see my wife more often now,” he quipped.
“We are grateful that the Salvos have backed our vision and will fund it for the next three years at this stage. So we’re getting the ball rolling,” Stephen said. “I’m genuinely looking forward to re-establishing a ministry base at Port Kembla.”
Stephen will oversee several ministries, including a Connect site (emergency financial assistance) that will run on Tuesdays and Fridays, pastoral care groups, an Art for Healing group and an op shop-style garage sale that will operate in conjunction with the Connect site.
“In the garages at the rear, that we call ‘The Makery’, we plan to run a ‘He Shed She Shed’ style program where we fix and make things,” Stephen said.
The Foundery was established in 2012 under the leadership of two young officers, Paul and Christy Kurth, who created a café-style ministry.
The café still exists, and while it is independently operated, it enhances the services on-site, providing a safe, hospitable environment.
“James runs the café, and he’s fantastic,” Stephen said. “He not only makes a brilliant coffee, but he understands the ethos of The Salvation Army and what we’re all about. It’s not just a business for him.”
Co-located is The Fathering Project, a program that seeks to engage, inspire and support fathers and father figures in the Illawarra region by providing a safe space – ‘The Community Fathering Hub’ – for fathers to come and connect.
“They [The Fathering Project] also cross over with a lot of what we do,” Stephen said. “So, with them, the First Floor Program, the Foundery Café, a regular outreach gambling counselling service, and our Community of Hope, we aim to offer some great wraparound services for the community.”
Art exhibition
One of the first events of the year at The Foundery is underway – the Cross Connection Community Arts Exhibition.
The exhibition, with the theme of ‘Grow’, is being held from 17-28 January at the centre.
The Cross Connection exhibition continues the creative arts influence of the First Floor Program’s Jayne Wilson Exhibition, which was named after the program’s founder and was held in Wollongong for 10 years before finishing up last year.
Awards are being presented during the exhibition – ‘People’s Choice’ and ‘Spirit’ – with Brittany Ruiz winning the ‘Spirit’ category for her entry, ‘Blue Birds’.
Click through the slideshow below to view some images of the exhibition, including Brittany’s entry, ‘Blue Birds’ (last slide).
