CORRIE BRAY - OUTREACH WORKER EXTRAORDINAIRE

Corrie Bray has an extensive background working with the underprivileged. After completion of a double Diploma in Youth Work and Alcohol and Other Drug Work at Holmesglen TAFE Corrie secured employment at Tandana Youth Rehabilitation Program for two (2) years. Her experience with Tandana exposed her to an adolescent drug and alcohol rehabilitation program for young people aged 13 – 20 years. At the time this was the only facility in Victoria catering for the rehabilitation of children and young adults with their peers, rather than with older hardened drug users.

Corrie's role in this program was as a Drug Worker to give support to the residents and give them the skills necessary to eventually leave the program and reintegrate themselves into mainstream society without any further reliance on drugs.

In 2004 Corrie decided to move to London where she worked for the Angel Drug Service in Islington. This service is offered free to those in need and utilised a holistic approach towards achieving sobriety using a harm-reduction base. Corrie’s role included working in the Drop-In and Needle Exchange Centre with one-on-one outreach and group work. This experience provided a great opportunity for Corrie to learn about drug use and treatment within a different society and culture.

At the end of 2005 Corrie decided to move back to Melbourne to settle down with her husband and applied for the position being offered by Emerald Hill Mission. Corrie attended her first interview two days after landing in Melbourne and shortly after secured the role of Outreach Worker for Emerald Hill Mission.

Corrie’s outreach role is quite extensive and includes the following:

Education Program

Assistance is offered to children in high school who are in vulnerable situations which may include a violent homelife, single parent, drug affected, low-income or a combination of numerous factors contributing to general hardship. Once Corrie has examined the background and family life of each child, those suitable are accepted onto the Program whereby Emerald Hill Mission will pay for books, uniforms, excursions, and support for tuition if necessary. The children in this program are usually unaware of Emerald Hill Mission’s participation. In addition the families receive support including food parcels, counselling, court reports, housing, employment, budgeting and support to stay off drugs.

Meal Service and Drop In

Corrie assists four days per week with the Open House Drop In Centre which provides four hot meals per week for those in need. This program provides Corrie with a good opportunity to meet new clients in a neutral environment where she is in a position to establish trust over time and discuss client needs without the pressure of a one-on-one appointment.

One-to-One

The bulk of Corrie’s work includes working with targeted clients on a one-on-one basis dealing with a myriad of issues including homelessness, drug abuse, mental health issues, general abuse issues, obesity, unemployment, parenting issues, women’s issues, court reports, general information referral. This program requires a long-term vision of what the clients can realistically be expected to achieve and whilst it is extremely challenging, it can also provide significant rewards as clients are slowly reintegrated back into general society with stable employment.



PROFILES

Corrie Bray        Board Members        EHM Annual Report 2002