Free Money For New Lives.

[murray]

I read this article this morning I thought it is a fantastic idea. But I'm wondering is anything like this being organised here in Melbourne? It is one thing to give the money, but to whom? Is there a program for pregnant Mums like this in Melbourne?


http://www.sydneyanglicans.net/sydneystories/free_money_to_free_the_unborn/

http://www.freemoneyfornewlives.com.au

[Nat Whilk]

Has anyone seen this video yet?

[Paul Barker]

I've asked around without success on a Melbourne equivalent programme to support. Was hoping to get a range of practical support but I don't know anything down here. If I heard of something, I'd be encouraging others to support it.

[Tracy]

I'm interested in getting together with others who'd like to do something practical: Eg: publish a brochure, organise a Church service for women who've had abortions, put together a list of referral organisations in Melbourne, put together a list of suitable counsellors, lobby the Diocese, resource parishes with information etc..... anyone out there interested in joining in?....

[Paul Barker]

Tracy, Happy to be involved and support this.

[Tim Patrick]

I'm happy to be involved.

I'm sure there are lots of people around the diocese who would be on board with something so positive.

Tim

[jereth]

Sounds good Tracey.

So as not to re-invent the wheel we should look into what's already out there -- it would make better sense to collaborate with something that already exists (eg. a non-denominational Christian pregnancy counselling agency) rather than put resources into starting something totally new.

There are probably numerous Catholic services out there but it may be difficult for us to cooperate with them because of their absolute anti-contraception position. A Catholic pregnancy worker once asked me if I'd join their service as a GP but made it clear that only natural contraceptive methods were advised there... We could cooperate with a protestant service.

I'll have a hunt through my email box to see what I've got there and will let you's know.

JEreth

[Nat Whilk]

If we are keen to support Australian women and reduce the number of abortions, why not just support the Sydney initiative? As Jereth said there is no need to re-invent the wheel.

[jereth]

If we are keen to support Australian women and reduce the number of abortions, why not just support the Sydney initiative? As Jereth said there is no need to re-invent the wheel.

Sydney is 1000km north of here why would we want to support them? :-)
There are many unwanted pregnancies in Victoria, and it is Victoria which has the new genocidal laws.
We should support something in Vic

cheers, Jereth

[Paul Barker]

Agree with Jereth. Hope we can find something local.

[Alex M]

The Sydney initiative seems to be run via Anglicare NSW (ie they do the receipts and handle the funds etc) and Carramar House (an Anglicare service) is one of the key recipients. This is a pretty important factor and helps minimise the 'infrastructure' required for the initiative.

How would a Melbourne equivalent work (ie who would facilitate it) and what would the funds collected be spent on?

Btw happy to assist - I'll be back in Melbourne (albeit maybe only for a few months in Jan 09)

Kind regards
Alex

[Jereth]

Ok, here are some existing non-denom organisations to chase up, all in Vic:

Pregnancy counselling services
http://www.carolinechisholmsociety.com.au/services.htm
http://www.pregnancysupport.com.au
http://www.pregnancycounselling.com.au/
http://www.opendoors.com.au/
http://www.dlook.com.au/business/1034164/Options-Plus-Care

Matt Prince and Kirsten Jack are currently working on something new:
http://www.aardvarkmailinglist.net/sub/email_print.php?e=8220&s=203523NWT

Other pro-life ministries
http://www.family.org.au/VIC/
http://www.fcv.org.au/
http://www.fathersonline.org/
http://www.fava.org.au/
http://www.families.org.au/
http://www.saltshakers.org.au/
http://www.endeavourforum.org.au/
http://www.prolife.org.au/

Does someone have the time to look through and liaise with these organisations to find someone we could cooperate with?

[Jereth]

Hmm, also I think that if we're serious about this we need to be prepared to back our talk with money as they are doing in Sydney. The Sydney programme suggests that people give half of the government's "economic stimulus" bonus (i.e. $500) to their FMFNL programme.

Are we prepared to do that?

I'll get the ball rolling... We're not a recipient of the bonus (d'oh!), but I'll pledge 2 day's income (after tax) on behalf of myself and my wife to whatever programme we get up and running in Melbourne.

Jereth

[Tracy]

Hi
Jereth, I don't think it's so much about the money as it is about doing something practical. Getting organised. Having some resources available for churches and others to use. Thanks for all those links to organisations. Sydney caught an opportunity with the federal government bonus- good on them- but we can still do lots down here....
I'm off for a few weeks holiday- but perhaps we could arrange a meeting of interested people for the first week in February.
How does this sound? Thursday 5th February. 7pm. .....email me at [e-mail] if interested in coming along.

[Tracy]

Hi
This meeting has now moved to  Monday 9th February, 7.30pm at St Matthew's Prahran. 157A High St Prahran
Melway Map 58 D6
Would love to see many people there.