By Mikayla van Loon
Discovery Community Care (DCC) has made the move from Lilydale to Mount Evelyn, launching its newly renovated home on Sunday 16 April.
The community support service which provides emergency and meaningful relief to people experiencing crisis had based itself in Lilydale for a number of years over its 20 year history.
But three years ago, before the pandemic hit, DCC General Manager Philip Hamilton said the idea of moving back to the original starting point at 89 Monbulk Road became part of the vision for the future of DCC.
“Another thing that’s been really important as part of this relocation for Discovery Community Care up to Mount Evelyn is the fact that there’s already quite a number of food relief agencies based in Lilydale,” he said.
“But none as large as Discovery Community Care based in this area to support the Yarra Valley, which is where a lot of the food insecurity actually is located.”
With food relief being one of the primary support offerings of DCC, Mr Hamilton said by setting themselves up in the refurbished home of original land owners Ralph and Helen Proctor, he hopes it becomes a space that feels like home to many.
“The house has been set up with a view to actually being a home as well. The vision has been really to create a space where people can call home, where they can come regularly and stay for food,” he said.
“If people are really doing life tough they can even do a load of washing and take a shower.”
Already serving 250 to 300 people a year at DCC, Mr Hamilton said this year they have also partnered with Stable One to offer more services to people experiencing homelessness.
This is incredibly important as more people struggle with the rising costs of living in an area that was prone to food insecurity prior to these price hikes.
“Particularly in the Ranges there’s quite a high rate of food insecurity, it’s one of the highest in a local government area in the whole of Victoria,” Mr Hamilton said.
“That’s always been a high need in the area, just access to affordable and healthy, nutritious food has been quite hard for a lot of people who have poor access and disability.”
Aside from emergency food relief, DCC also provides community support through advocacy for utility bills, the running of an op shop, a Thursday night meal called Food Stop to give people experiencing homelessness a place to get a home cooked meal and a mentoring program.
Intending for the new location to become a community hub of sorts, Mr Hamilton said it’s about encouraging more connection and creating a space where people can contribute by sharing and using their gifts.
One of the ways to do that is through cooking classes using the 14 person capable kitchen at the house, allowing people who may receive a food relief package to learn what to cook with it.
“It just encourages more of a relationship building over food because it breaks down social norms and barriers and everyone eats, it’s a priority.
“It’s such an important way to be able to connect with other people when you’re doing it over food.”
Taking on the Proctor’s vision to create a sense of family and cultivate the land by way of a vegetable garden, Mr Hamilton said the possibilities for connection are endless.
“The transformation pathway we mapped out is, firstly, to have a real sense of connection at the space, where people can feel like they can regularly connect with other people and build friendships.
“The second part is moving into a space where people feel able and willing to want to contribute and to participate because when people participate in something they enjoy, it creates a sense of purpose and it creates a sense of meaning in their lives.”
DCC is available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays by appointment for food relief packages.
