Every Wednesday afternoon STITCHES opens its doors for children in the neighbouring Public Housing community to come and enjoy our fully equipped drop in activity centre.  Food and drinks are provided along with craft activities, computers, video arcade entertainment and group games. 

Our aim is to mentor and build growing relationships with these children in a safe environment, offering a positive role model in an atmosphere of fun and excitement.  Local children have little recreational opportunities so this program is offered free of charge to offer social inclusion & cohesiveness within a culturally and linguistically diverse community.

• KIDS CLUB  is generously supported by YWAM Melbourne

HOMEWORK CLUB & TUTORING

Education for inner city kids is paramount and STITCHES offers assistance to all school age children.  Many are from migrant families who are disadvantaged and in great need of extra assistance with their literacy and numeracy skills.

Our goal is to present that “learning is fun” so we include many educational activities as well as formal work books all absolutely free.  

Programs Offered:

•     During the afternoon, prep to grade 3 are catered for in four homework groups.  Our philosophy is preventative…assisting children to grasp basic concepts before having greater difficulties when  they are older.   The children’s consistency in attendance is amazing!

•   During the evening, students between grade 4 to 6 are offered individual tutoring with a 1:1  ratio.   This has proven to be most successful as we are able to provide individual attention to  assist with the child’s homework, projects and exam preparation.

These programs build the students self confidence and create a greater desire for regular school attendance and learning.  

Each tutor offers their personal time for these programs free of charge.

• HOMEWORK CLUB  is funded by the generous support from ADRA, Barnardos Foundation and Tobin Brothers Foundation

SUPER  SATURDAY

Operation STITCHES believes that transformation ultimately works from the inside out and our desire is to pass on values of love, kindness, acceptance, forgiveness, honesty, etc, to our next generation presiding in the inner-city Public Housing sector.

We provide a fun filled weekend program that is presented in a positive environment through exciting games, activities, crafts, prizes and food.       

We cater a style of program for primary school aged children suited to their style of inner-city culture.  This gives opportunity  to build relationships  and provide mentoring.

As a result, we have seen many of these children’s attitudes positively changed and good life choices made, which ultimately will frame their future.

ONE EIGHTY – Empowering inner city youth

Workshops run by volunteers who specialize in their field cater for inner-city Public Housing youth that have boundless energy and are often bored with their environment that can lead to inappropriate behaviour.

We provide workshops such as photography, film, drama, fashion, healthy cooking, automatix, graphics, hip-hop dancing, street art and computer skills. 

Each elective is run with the purpose of giving youth an opportunity to learn new skills.  The results of these workshops have proven outstanding amongst the youth.  Many have an ignited passion for what has been taught and wish to develop their newly acquired skills further.

Not only are the workshops empowering the youth, they also build self-confidence and self-esteem.

• ONE EIGHTY  is funded by the generous support from StreetSmart, Sunshine Foundation, Coopers Foundation & CBA Community Grants

 STREETWIZE – a hip hop dance group

We desire to take this talented group and perform at various venues across Melbourne, teaching them to give something back to the community. 

• STREETWISE  is funded by  the generous support of RACV/NRMA Insurance Community Grants

 PUBLIC HOUSING ESTATE SATURATION

For most days of the year, these Inner-city Public Housing parks are empty, but the presence of STITCHES brings a safe and positive transformation.   Along with all our activities, we always bring a message that empowers the children to make good choices…for example:  choose who you run with / make the effort to win / hold onto your dream….

Our activities give children the rare opportunity to participate in various arts and crafts.   Basket ball comps, soccer and hockey provides activities which encourage physical fitness.  There are games and prizes to be won…  Fun food is always popular with young and old alike.

Our many carnival rides thrill the families – all offered free of charge.

COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS PARTIES

Operation STITCHES reaches out and hosts unforgettable Christmas parties for six of the major inner-city Public Housing estate communities, where many times Christmas imposes great financial pressure on the residents.

From the moment children and their families enter the doors of our Community Centre, they are greeted with an extraordinary display of Christmas lights.

During the evening, we create a STITCHES TOY SHOP inviting the children to select their own gift.  Parents also receive a gift, and for many it is the only gift their will receive for Christmas!

Lively entertainment, food, our own INNER CITY KIDS CHOIR, crafts, games and prizes are enjoyed by all throughout the evening.   Christmas grocery hampers are also distributed.

Everything is offered free of charge.

Operation STITCHES truly makes a difference every festive season.

• CHRISTMAS PARTIES are generously supported by the Salvation Army Toybank and ADRA

STITCHES FOOD BANK

Operation STITCHES is a contact known in the inner city as a food distribution centre for those in urgent need of food.