Dear friends and supporters of Fresh Start
As you read this, we are planning the commencement of renovations to our Clinic in Subiaco to give it a much-needed facelift and effect long overdue repairs. Since its beginnings in 1997 the Fresh Start team has continued to deliver care and attention for addiction and mental health issues to more than 14,000 individual patients. In this year we will care for more than 1,000 people and their families so it’s no wonder our Clinic needs some TLC!
Fresh Start provides fully bulk billed medical and psychosocial support services so we are able to care for anyone who seeks our help. We are dedicated to providing timely treatment including detoxification and relapse prevention with options for outpatient or residential recovery programs.
The Fresh Start program has recently received accreditation with Reconciliation Australia. This has been a great process to engage in as we learn more about the ways in which Aboriginal culture has survived through the millennia and continues to influence our lives today. We have partnered with Ebenezer Aboriginal Corporation for training and education and welcomed their CEO, Martin Smith onto the Board of Fresh Start. Martin is a Noongar man with connections to Menang, Goreng and Whadjuk country. We are looking forward to the contribution he will bring to the Board and to the whole of Fresh Start.
Over the past year it has been my great pleasure to have been able to work with Rowan who has made the most of his recovery since graduating from our residential program in Northam in 2022. Rowan is now running his own home-handyman service in Northam and is in high demand due to the quality of his work and professional approach. As he still lives on the Fresh Start property at Spencers Brook he is often called on for repairs and maintenance jobs around the place. He is a great encouragement to residents and staff alike as he shares his story of transition from prison and addiction to the busy and productive life he leads today.
It has also been encouraging to work with Sonshine Radio to get our message out to the community. Their production team has put together some great information spots for broadcast on 98.5FM and also helped with a video presentation of Vicki’s story that I have shared with you previously.
As the end of the financial year approaches, I’m asking you to consider making a tax-deductible donation to Fresh Start to help people fulfill their recovery goals and go on to full and productive lives, or call us on 93811333 to make your donation today.
Jeff Claughton
Chief Executive Officer
Fresh Start Foundation