Today, Glen Park Community Centre offers a friendly, supportive and welcoming environment for all people in our community.
We are a member of Learn Local – a network of over 300 not-for-profit organisations across Victoria offering adult community education and training to people from all walks of life.
Through innovative programs and strategic partnerships, Glen Park Community Centre has grown significantly and now provides training and programs including pre-employment pathway programs, health and well-being, creative hands-on workshops, painting… etc. These programs are specifically designed to promote physical and mental health, social inclusion and support while strengthening creativity and building skills.
Glen Park Community Centre hosts a variety of outreach options such as Centrelink Outreach and Justice of the Peace on-site. We are constantly working on expanding our ability to deliver official services to the local community. Glen Park Community Centre has also formed relationships with a network of local support services to act as a referral point for our most vulnerable members of our community.
Glen Park Community Centre actively participates in community events and initiatives, such as “Jeans 4 Genes”, “Pyjama Day” and “International Day for People with Disability” to name a few. We also hold various celebrations and LGBTQIA+ awareness seminars to educate the public and ensure that no one is ever discriminated against based on gender, race, beliefs and/or abilities. Glen Park Community Centre is a proud member of the “Welcome Here Project” and promotes a safe and welcoming environment for all members of our community.
Glen Park Community Centre is very accessible and has provisions for those with additional needs. From thoroughly equipped facilities to specifically designed programs, we thrive on providing opportunities for safe social engagement and lifelong learning opportunities for those with additional needs.
Café on the Park provides a space for people of all ages and abilities to learn, be part of a team and experience that social inclusion which sometimes lacks in our lives. Apart from catering services through “Hungry 4 Success Catering”, the delicious dishes and the tasty coffee, Café on the Park provides training for people wanting to re-enter the workforce (through its “Hungry for Success – Training” and pre-accredited hospitality program) in addition to giving people a sense of belonging and the opportunity to rebuild their confidence through social engagement. Café on the Park also achieves this through Glen Park Community Centre’s Volunteer program (a Centrelink-approved activity), providing regular training and social inclusion opportunities to some of our most vulnerable community members. Café on the Park is also a very active participant in several community initiatives, including the community pantry, community fruit and vegetable collection, and community egg and bread collection.
No story about Glen Park Community Centre and Café on the Park can be complete without acknowledging the genuine generosity and hard work of our wonderful volunteers. They are the pillars of our work and of the community as a whole.
Glen Park Community Centre understands how important health and hygiene is. We happily provide personal care packs, emergency shower facilities and feminine hygiene products to anyone in need.
We strive to provide better services to our local community and effect change where needed through innovation and understanding. We are always happy to hear from you and hope to see you soon!
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. has a wide range of friends, funders and supporters. Our friends, funders and supporters help Glen Park Community Centre Inc. to grow and continue serving our community. Thank you for your continued support.
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. are funded by the Australian Government through Glen Park’s “P.O.W.E.R” grant to deliver a Financial Crisis and Material Aid – Emergency Relief program and assist residents of Bayswater, Bayswater North and Boronia with emergency material aid and food relief. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. are funded through the Victorian State Government’s Neighbourhood House Coordination Program to support the development of Glen Park’s programs and activities, with the aim to strengthen our community. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. acknowledges the support from the Victorian Government.
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. operates out of a Maroondah City Council owned building. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. lease the premises under a peppercorn agreement with Maroondah City Council. Maroondah City Council recently granted Glen Park with a small equipment grant to purchase a range of tools. The tools will be used to teach the adults basic skills on how to use tools safely.
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. is a member of Learn Local – a network of over 300 not-for-profit organisations across Victoria offering adult community education and training to people from all walks of life. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. is registered and funded by the Victorian Government, via the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. was recognised and awarded the Learn Local Legend Award in 2018, and recognised as a finalist in the Partnership category of the 2022 Learn Local Awards. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. was winner of the Partnership category of the 2023 Learn Local Awards.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria is the peak body for the Neighbourhood House sector. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. is a member of close to 400 independent, community-based organisations in Victoria, which is represented by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. were recognised as finalists for the 2021 Neighbourhood Houses Victoria Awards, in the category “Reducing Inequalities” for Glen Park Community Centre Inc.’s “Proud Houses” project. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. and Café on the Park were recognised as finalists for the 2023 Neighbourhood Houses Victoria Awards, in the “Social Enterprise” category.
Since 2019, Eastland has partnered with Glen Park Community Centre to support initiatives like the “Hungry 4 Success – Café & Catering” social enterprise. This program offers education, training, and employment pathways for people facing barriers. Eastland provides on-site training facilities for the “Hungry 4 Success – Training” program, covering hospitality, cleaning, security, maintenance, retail and customer service. All café proceeds support community programs such as food relief and employment assistance. Our partnership has been recognised with awards, including the 2023 Victorian Learn Local Partnership Award.
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. have partnered with Glad Group to offer pre-accredited training programs such as “Hungry 4 Success – Training”. Glad Group supports Glen Park Community Centre Inc. by providing pre-accredited learners with the opportunity to participate in “A Day in the Life” Trade Taster, where learners can gain valuable work experience in the field of cleaning, maintenance, security or guest services, all within Eastland Shopping Centre.
Glen Park Community Centre access Food Bank Victoria’s services in Dandenong, to stock our emergency relief programs with essential material aid. Food Bank Victoria enables Glen Park to continue providing emergency relief in our community to some of our most vulnerable community members. Food Bank Victoria released a video with Glen Park Community Centre in 2020, showing how the material aid is distributed through the Community Pantry.
Glen Park Community Centre formed a relationship with Bakers Delight in Heathmont in 2021. Bakers Delight Heathmont have been donating crates of bread, rolls and baked goods to Glen Park Community Centre Inc.’s Social Enterprise Café – Café on the Park, to use in the café and to distribute in emergency relief programs such as the Community Pantry, Egg & Bread Collection, Order & Collect, as well as Glen Park Community Centre Inc.’s Community Meals.
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. and Café on the Park have a wonderful relationship with Confoil. Confoil regularly donate baking tins and tin containers for Glen Park Community Centre Inc.’s emergency relief programs. The tin containers enable Glen Park Community Centre Inc. to package and distribute frozen meals to some of our most vulnerable community members. The frozen meals are distributed in Glen Park Community Centre Inc.’s Community Pantry.
Share the Dignity is a women’s charity in Australia, that works to make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, or doing it tough. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. receive regular donations of sanitary products and essential filled handbags through “Dignity Drives”. Glen Park Community Centre Inc. distribute the sanitary items and handbags through emergency relief programs such as the Community Pantry.
Thank you to Bendigo Bank Ringwood East and Croydon for the approval of a Community Investment Grant. This grant will go toward purchasing tables for pre-accredited training programs at Glen Park Community Centre Inc.
Glen Park Community Centre Inc. have been receiving regular fortnightly donations from Second Bite since 2022. The donations consist of fruits, vegetables, eggs, meat and frozen items. The donations help Glen Park to meet the increased demand in emergency relief, and are distributed to members of Glen Park’s fortnightly Community Pantry.
Big Watermelon has been supporting Glen Park Community Centre’s emergency relief programs and social enterprises by generously donating fresh fruit and vegetables since 2023. Big Watermelon’s continued support plays a vital role in helping us provide nutritious food to those in need, and we are deeply appreciative of their commitment to making a positive impact in our community.
Kmart and Target generously partnered with Glen Park Community Centre during our first retail intake of the Hungry 4 Success – Training program in 2023. Kmart and Target’s support has been instrumental in providing valuable resources and opportunities for our participants, helping them to develop essential skills for success in the retail industry.
Glen Park Community Centre acknowledges the support of the Victorian Government through the Community Support Fund.