Peel Connect adds new service to fight homelessness

PEEL Connect has come a long way since it was established two years ago.

Peel Connect resulted from the passion and drive of Reg Lambert, who spent 30 years driving around Mandurah at night, talking to the homeless and offering them a warm blanket, coffee and friendship.

Now a powerful new arm has been added to the organisation.

MACS (Mentoring, Advocacy, Counselling, Support) was launched at a morning tea at Peel Connect’s office at the Billy Dower Centre and provides a confidential, supportive and safe environment to help with homelessness and a range of other issues.

Five counsellors and five mentors work on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the counsellors from the Peel Connect office and the mentors from Peel Community Kitchen, which has been hugely supportive.

Alcoa of Australia has contributed towards MACS operating costs for the first two years.

Canning MHR Andrew Hastie praised the organisation’s volunteers.

“If State or Federal funding was made available, it would really turbo-charge you,” he said.

“Let’s see if we can get you some funds somehow.”