A charitable organisation putting disabled people in “meaningful” jobs is continuing to change lives at Norlane.
This week the Endeavour Foundation celebrated the achievements of Christine Woolley as the 56-year-old worked toward a decade of employment.
“If I didn’t have this job I don’t know where I’d be. It’s given me a life and friends that I never thought I could have,” Christine said.
“Being at home was boring and lonely. When you’ve got a job it’s the best thing out.”
Christine said she loved “the people and the atmosphere” at the foundation’s Norlane site where staff put clients to work in roles suited to their abilities.
“Everyone is so friendly and we’re all from different walks of life. We might have disabilities but we’re all just people at the end of the day.
“We all just want a life like anyone else.
“I was pretty lonely at one stage but now I’ve made a lot of new friends, including Megan who is 26. We’re best buddies outside of work, too.
“Working here makes me happy. It’s made such a huge difference to my life – it’s turned it right around.”
Christine’s story follows an Indy report in early April on West Geelong’s Vikki Ellis, who expressed similar sentiments about her own role at the foundation in the lead-up to its open day.
Endeavour Foundation commercial manager Anthony Tavelli said supported employment provided “a meaningful way to engage with your community, learn new skills and grow in confidence”.
“Each and every day we are privileged to watch the people we support blossom. It’s enormously rewarding to know that just by providing meaningful employment opportunities, alongside the right training and support. We really can open up a world of possibility to people with a disability.
“A variety of employment opportunities exist at Norlane within general and food packing. If you are aged 15 years or older, on a Disability Support Pension and want to contribute to your community, we have a range of full and part-time opportunities.”
Endeavour Foundation described itself as a “diverse community organisation working together with people with a disability so that they have real possibilities to live life to the full”.
