Water grants supporting community

Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CNCISS) chief executive Helen Small. Picture: ROB CAREW 332999_03

The Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CNCISS) is one of the 16 South East organisations receiving financial support via South East Water’s annual Community Grants Program.

The grant will support CNCISS’ financial literacy program to support community members in managing their finances.

CNCISS executive officer Helen Small said the new Stay on Track program will complement the service’s current one-to-one financial counselling service.

“More and more people are presenting to our organisation,” she said.

“We have identified a need to provide up to date, accurate information to our local community that aims to assist households to make better choices when entering into contracts, using credit or taking up other financial commitments.

“We also recognise that when people do start to feel the burden and are unable to meet their financial commitments, they are often unaware of where to go for help and advice.”

It is expected that sessions will run during business hours and school terms.

Exact times and locations will be available soon and posted on the CNCISS Facebook site.

Other recipients include RSPCA Victoria (Pearcedale) for a 5000-litre rainwater tanks to manage stormwater at its Pearcedale animal shelter and Launch Housing (Dandenong) for an edible and medicinal garden at Viv’s Place, an apartment building for at-risk women.

South East Water customer experience general manager Lara Salembier said the grants will help the recipients make valuable contributions towards supporting a thriving and more liveable community.

“We’re proud to support 16 community groups with a range of projects that support our community and protect our environment,” she said.

“A key area of focus for our grants program is affordability, and this year we’re excited to fund several local projects that support community members with the rising cost of living, from food relief to financial literacy.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits these 16 projects will deliver for our customers, community and environment.”

For more information on South East Water’s 2023 community grant recipients, visit www.southeastwater.com.au/grants