Outcare receives $457,632 grant

The State Government today granted $457,632 to Outcare, a Western Australian non-government provider of rehabilitative and supportive services for offenders and ex-offenders and their families.

Presenting the Lotterywest cheque today, Attorney General Christian Porter said the funds would go towards information technology, extensions to Santa's Workshop and refurbishment of 28 transitional accommodation units for those in need.

"Santa's workshop is just one of the many services Outcare provides to the community, bringing the joy of Christmas by distributing repaired toys to more than 2,000 disadvantaged children in WA," Mr Porter said.

"The extensions to the workshop will increase the program's capacity so that more than six tonnes of toys can be shared with the community."

The Minister said other works included the installation of video conferencing to the organisation's administration complex; a portable projector for prisoner training; and a database development for the ex-prisoner accommodation support program.

"Outcare is an important body to help ensure the successful transition of prisoners back into the community," he said."It engages with ex-offenders when they are at their most vulnerable and provides support for them and their families as they transition from the corrections systems back to life in the community."

Outcare was established in 1964 to facilitate this resettlement and has since expanded to include the families of ex-offenders.

The organisation has grown to become the major support service for this target group and runs numerous programs in the areas of supported accommodation; employment and training; counselling; addictions; specialised programs for women; youth; Aboriginals; and general welfare. It also provides and manages visitors' support centres at Canning Vale Remand Centre and Casuarina Prison.

Santa's Workshop is located at Sevenoaks College and run by volunteers who source, collect, repair and distribute toys to more than 2,000 disadvantaged children. Outcare has been supported by Lotterywest since 1989, with grants totalling $2,533,541.