Caroline Chisholm Society, Pregnancy and Family Support Service

In an area with so many young families, experienced local support services can make an outsized difference to those they serve.

The Caroline Chisholm Society puts an emphasis on building adult capacity over their 50-plus years of working with mothers and babies from offices in Caroline Springs, Essendon and Shepparton.

They were also a successful 2024 Modeina Community grant recipient this year.

Dinushka O'Neill is the Community Engagement Officer and lives in the local area. She said the funds will be used to hire a bus that will transport families to services.

“We had music therapy sessions run in from June to September and a lot of families couldn't attend because they didn't have way of getting there,” Dinushka said.

In December they run a Santa shop and invite all involved families to come in and pick gifts for their children.

“We want to be able to give those families the freedom to access the Santa Shop as well other services we offer.”

Services in and around Caroline Springs currently focus on parents of children aged between zero and five.

“We have over 722 families impacting 1169 children who are supported through our Every Child Program, just one of the services currently offered,” Dinushka said.

To learn more or contribute to Caroline Chisholm Society services, visit their website.