Thinking and acting in terms of community
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Some three years ago, our team at Daramu recognised a need-that many local young First Nations people were not accessing the range of services and programs available to them, designed for them, to thrive. One element of this was limited knowledge regarding systems and services; another was some level of reluctance or suspicion in relation to government and/or institutional providers. To this end, a bi-monthly hub was established, where a range of service providers-government and other-gathered at Daramu, and created a relaxed, welcoming, ‘one-stop shop’.
Fast forward to 2026, and the Community Connection Hub is a vital initiative where a growing number of services unite, working hand-in-hand to support and uplift the vibrant community of Mount Druitt. The core committee behind this Hub includes Daramu, Real Futures, and NGROO. Together, we are committed to ensuring that every individual has access to the resources, guidance, and the support they need to thrive.
We were fortunate in applying for and receiving a Clubs Grant in 2025, for FY 2025/2026, which has added some important strengths and dimensions to our Hub offering, including:
• Community transport: free pick and drop off for those unable to make it without this service.
• Additional promotional, and advertising/marketing materials, increasing the reach and connection to community members.
• The reinforcement of the broader welcome of the Hub-where it began with a First Nations community focus, the Hub now welcomes all comers.
As time has gone on, some additional strengths and benefits have grown in and through the Hub:
• Marist180 promoting other services and programs we offer that may be of interest to some members of the community - our Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) notable among these.
• Services and staff from these various agencies connect and become more familiar with the
complementary supports and services that one another offer(s).
• Partnering with the Salvation Army’s ‘Communities of Hope’ Community Coffee Van, a community-focused initiative that blends social support with safe, welcoming spaces, centred around high-quality coffee. The Community Coffee Van uses Fairtrade products, embodying a message of 'justice' to the community. Additionally, the Community Coffee Van is used to train local young people in the art of fine coffee making. They take groups of at risk teenagers and help them to build their confidence, learn new skills and, for some, employment.
At the heart of the Community Connection Hub is the belief that community is everything. It’s about
connecting people to the services they need, providing support, and empowering everyone to make the best, clearest, most well informed choices and decisions. Whether it’s assistance with employment, housing, mental health, or simply a place to reach out for help, this Hub is here for you. The Hub is a space of hope, support, and connection – where we work alongside, not just for community members, building a stronger, healthier Mount Druitt, where everyone has their best shot at success.
We thank and acknowledge everyone who has offered their support in creating and staging this Hub. As Pope Francis, in 2014, expressed it well:
‘Solidarity is a word that is not always liked; but it is a word that expresses much more than a few sporadic acts of generosity. It is thinking and acting in terms of community, of prioritising the lives of all over the appropriation of goods by a few. It is also to fight against the structural causes of poverty, inequality, lack of work, land and housing, and denial of social and labour rights. It is to confront the destructive effects of the empire of money.’
