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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-05-16 Daily Xml
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YMCA OPEN DOORS PROGRAM

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:15): I rise today to speak about a program based in my electorate which I feel is very worthy of recognition. The YMCA has been working together with the Edwardstown Lions Club to develop the Showers for the Homeless project which provides regular shower facilities for homeless people at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre. In addition to providing a much-needed service for people who are sleeping rough, this project also encourages those who are doing it tough to become more active and, therefore, healthier.

The need for this service was identified through consultation with Mission Australia and Marion Youth. With homeless numbers in the South sadly on the rise due to a range of circumstances, this project aims to give disadvantaged people the opportunity to feel comfortable in a safe environment. Showers for the Homeless is part of the YMCA's Open Doors Program and financial backing comes from a variety of sources, including individual donors and local fundraising initiatives.

The idea of all the projects under this umbrella is to open the doors of the aquatic centre to a range of people who would not normally access it due to their social or economic situation. Applications to be part of the program are assessed by the YMCA Open Doors team in consultation with the referring community agency. Referrals come from agencies including Marion GP Plus, Baptist Care, Aboriginal Family Services, Marion Mental Health, Sea view Vision Impairment, the Salvation Army, Mission Australia, the Reynella Medical Centre and the Vietnam Veterans.

The YMCA is currently supporting 43 program participants, and I would like to share the stories of two current Open Door participants. Paul, 27, is a young man who has an intellectual disability. Paul was already a regular visitor to the aquatic centre; however, his behaviour was often very disruptive to other patrons. A YMCA staff member approached Paul's guardian, advising her of the Open Doors program opportunities. Paul has since been actively involved in a weekly aquatic education program, and staff members say the benefits of this program are clear through Paul's increased physical activity levels, communication with his instructor, and education around appropriate behaviours.

Another participant, Phoebe, is an 8-year-old girl with behavioural and intellectual disabilities. Tragically, Phoebe was referred to the program through Mental Health Services, Marion following an attempted suicide. She has been attending a weekly one-on-one aquatic education program over the past six months. The benefits of the program are shown through Phoebe's improved social behaviour and a reduction in the need for intense psychological treatment. Her expressions in the drawings she does have undergone a huge change from extremely sad and dark to those of a smiling child enjoying her time at the SA Aquatic & Leisure Centre with her instructor. Stories such as these clearly demonstrate the benefits of the Open Doors program within our community.

The SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre is also working with other state and federal government agencies in order to improve the lifestyle and access to exercise, fitness and wellbeing of many South Australians. These efforts include programs to improve the life of those with diabetes—those taking part lose weight in a healthy way that improves their wellbeing and reduces their dependency on drugs; the Obesity Prevention and Lifestyle (OPAL) programs with the Marion City Council; building local support and connections for communities via work with local churches; and building the fitness, access to facilities and fundraising ability of struggling local clubs linked to surf lifesaving, local football clubs and community groups.

I would like to congratulate the YMCA, the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre general manager, Adam Luscombe, and all those involved with the Open Doors program and the projects it supports. To our elite athletes, this is one of the best swimming centres in the world. To the broader community, it is a fantastic place to enjoy fun and fitness. However, for some of the most vulnerable in our society, this amazing facility is providing dignity and even life-changing social services, thanks to the management by the YMCA.

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