Positive client outcomes, sector partnerships and staff resolve are among the stories highlighted in our Annual Report 2020-21.

Published today, the digital booklet explores Centacare’s achievements in a year that evolved into an experience of hope on the back of challenges, change and the retirement of our longest-serving Director, Dale West.

We pay tribute to Dale’s leadership, humour, compassion and humility, and welcome Pauline Connelly to the role of Director.

In her message, Pauline reflects on Centacare’s purpose within the context of the Catholic Church, and the commitment and skill of staff in responding to client needs without question or judgement.

Other stories include:

• The rise in violence against women during the `shadow pandemic’
• Our role in groundbreaking state homelessness and domestic and family violence Alliances
• The opening of The Haven, a new safety and information hub at Mount Gambier Library
• Milestones marked by the Power to End Violence Against Women program
• Innovation in foster care
• Mental health support for young people experiencing challenges arising from COVID-19
• The future of online learning
• Stories from Country
• How challenges are driving achievements in Disability Services
• Community collaborations at Coolock House and Kolbe Cottage
• The role of Culture Hub in telling Centacare’s collective story

During the reporting period, Centacare supported 28,718 clients through 75 services across 34 sites in regional and metropolitan South Australia. Annual turnover moved to $54.4 million with paid staff now at 579.

We secured $58 estimated funding over the forward years, supported 4496 children and provided 3092 clients with a brief intervention.

Staff celebrated significant service milestones of 20 years or more, while our robust media presence was reflected in the more than 30 print and radio stories we garnered throughout the year.

Also in 2020-21, Centacare launched groundbreaking services including Breathing Space, which supports young women who have experienced removal of a child or children from their care, and the $20.7 million RESTORE Intensive Family Services.

Centacare is delivering RESTORE over 4.25 years to address complex challenges and reduce incidents of child abuse in families of children aged 0 to 18 years.

Alongside fellow non-government organisations, we embraced the move towards a more holistic, coordinated and integrated homelessness and domestic violence response through new Alliances, established by the South Australian Housing Authority.

“I want to acknowledge all staff. They are the people who are seeing daily the challenges, sadness and trauma of our clients. Their passion and commitment to the wellbeing of those they support is humbling and fortifying,” Pauline said.