Funding to help Red Cross provide financial counselling in Kwinana

12/6/96

Family and Children's Services is to fund the Red Cross Financial Counselling Service to provide financial counselling in Kwinana until mid-1998.

Family and Children's Services Minister Cheryl Edwardes announced today that an agreement had been signed with the service which guaranteed it $39,941 a year until June 30, 1998.

Mrs Edwardes said the service would assist families living in and around Kwinana, offering support and assistance to families and individuals on low incomes who were suffering financial hardship.

"There will be culturally appropriate services to reach and support Aboriginal and non-English speaking background customers with financial difficulties," she said.

"Families and individuals will be offered skills and knowledge about a variety of options which will help them make the most of their money.

"This means they can better plan their income by budgeting and making sensible decisions.

"Having this sort of expertise will mean less stress in their lives so they can cope with the challenges of daily life in a more positive way."

Mrs Edwardes said she believed the agreement marked the continuation of a good relationship which would benefit the local community.

"This funding will enable the agency to meet the needs of local residents," she said.

Media contact: Diana Russell Coote 421 7777