At Good Shepherd, we often work with people who are struggling to make ends meet. They come to see us not because they really want to but because they are desperate for some basic advice and support (need). They may be in arrears with their mortgage or some could be facing eviction. They may have their gas or electricity disconnected. They may have experienced domestic violence and be struggling with all the bills that suddenly moving (suddenly) to a new place brings. They may have a partner or child with a disability or chronic health problems, or they may have insufficient food. Sometimes they can't afford to get prescriptions filled. When we talk to people they tell us a bit about their lives: it is very obvious to us that they are good money managers: they simply don't have enough resources to cover their basic needs. They are usually very stressed because of this constant financial strain, which in turn creates a deeper feeling that they are not coping very well. There is no capacity in their weekly household budgets for birthdays, children's sporting programs or other extracurricular activities, entertainment or holidays. Because they can't afford presents, children are unable to accept invitations to birthday parties and parents often don't have the money to give them to go to the movies with their friends in the holidays. The parents often feel they are letting the family down.

These families may be low-waged, under casual work arrangements, on work cover, on a disability support pension or other Centrelink payments. They have often tried advocating for themselves, but may feel justifiably that they are not ‘heard'. For many the constant experience of hardship wears them down.

Our approach is to work in a holistic and non-judgmental way with respect for the dignity of each person. When people present with a particular issue or issues, we work to address immediate personal and family needs, while understanding that there are broader structural factors influencing their circumstances. At the same time we endeavour to work in collaboration with others to develop strategies to effectively address the structural causes of social and economic disadvantage.

Financial counselling is available from the following locations (please contact by phone before visiting):

1 Church Street
Hastings 3915
Phone: 03 5971 9444 

342 Main Street (Mon, Thurs, Fri)
Mornington 3931
Phone: 03 5971 9444

878 Pt Nepean Road (Mon & Tues)
Rosebud 3939
Phone: 03 5981 1281

68 Playne Street (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri)
Frankston 3199
Phone: 03 9769 6281

186 Foster Street (Mon, Thurs)
Dandenong 3175
Phone: 03 9791 8344

South East Water (South East Water customers only)
20 Corporate Drive
Moorabbin 3189
Phone: 1800 999 712

354 Main Road West
St Albans 3021
Phone: 03 8312 8800

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