By Chantel Cotterell

For over 30 years, the Junction Neighbourhood Centre (JNC) has been building and strengthening the capacity of individuals, families and groups in the Randwick local government area through a variety of programs and activities.

As Janet Green, Manager of JNC explains, “We’re a well-established community hub for people living in the eastern suburbs. JNC is often the first point of contact for people and other organisations calling on behalf of clients, who are seeking community information, referrals and support”.

Located in Maroubra Junction, JNC operates specialist services for families, older people, people with disabilities and their carers; facilitates the recruitment, training and referral of volunteers for home and community care services in the eastern suburbs; runs social inclusion groups for people who are socially isolated; and organises practical assistance with outreach services providing financial counselling, immigration support, tax help, legal advice as well as hearing aid checks.

Earlier this year, with funding from the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, JNC was able to open a new community hub on Albert Street, Randwick. Besides extending the reach of the Maroubra programs and offering another location for outreach services, the new hub will focus on building the capacity of people who are financially and socially disadvantaged in Randwick and Kingsford through the JNC’s Indigenous Community Capacity Building (CCB) project at Marouba and another CCB project, run in partnership with South East Neighbourhood Centre in Eastlakes.

“In Randwick, we know there are socially isolated groups – older people and international students, among others. Through morning teas, craft workshops and outings, we have been building up connections amongst people who were previously very isolated. We hope to see this grow”, explains Anna Hartree, Community Information Coordinator at JNC.

For community groups looking for facilities, the JNC Randwick and Marouba hubs also each have a meeting room and interview rooms available.

JNC encourages people and organisations wanting to know more about the new Randwick hub to call or drop-in, have a chat and see what programs and activities are running.

Originally published in Inner Sydney Voice, Issue 116, Spring 2012