THOUSANDS of local people have been leant a helping hand from the great staff at Casey North Community Information and Support Service (CNCISS).
This week, CNCISS celebrated 15-years-service to the local community. It began operations in 1997 at Fountain Gate with three staff and a team of newly trained volunteers. In the first full-year of operation, the service assisted with 4706 inquiries and $37,591 in emergency relief assistance. The number has grown significantly. In the last year of operation, CNCISS helped with 24,648 inquiries and $241,089 in emergency relief funding.
The organisation now has 12 funded staff and a team of 16 volunteers. Executive officer Susan Magee said CNCISS has achieved a lot in 15 years.
“While most of the time, I am still feeling like we are a young and establishing organisation, we have begun to gather a history of milestones and achievements,” she said,
“It is a great place to work, we have a brilliant staff team, the original members of staff – Ms Magee, social worker Lidia Gruszka and administration officer Samantha Findlay – are still here. The president of the board, Tom Gyles and volunteer and board member, Di Christensen have also been with us for 15 years.”