The East End Community Project (EECP) is a project facilitated by St Lukes and directed and undertaken by local residents. The EECP commenced in July 1999 and is funded until December 2005. It is based in Mildura.

The East End is characterised by low income, high unemployment and a high percentage of public housing tenants. A large number of child protection notifications, racial disharmony and criminal activity have resulted in residents feeling marginalised and devalued.

Since the EECP's began 4 years ago, residents across many different cultures have shown their passion and dedication to resourcing their community. These residents are also dedicated volunteers who give of their time to plan and implement various community projects and activities that develop trust and local social capital.

PROJECT AIMS:

• to improve the well being of the community by working with the residents and other agencies
• to gain a clear idea of the communities vision in relation to a clear and supportive community
• to get the communities views about the work agencies do in their community
• to share the communities view with agencies
• to find ways agencies can work together and contribute collectively to their community
• to establish a reference group of both workers and agencies and a community representatives reference group. Both of which can support the community efforts and work jointly as partners.

Stage one- establishing contacts and building mutually respectful and trusting relationships.

• Develop a vision of the future for their community
• Hold weekly meetings with residents
• Develop a community newsletter
• A community B-B-Q of residents and representatives from Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC) and Neighbourhood Watch were in attendance as well as 15-20 community members and 30 children.
• Recruiting volunteer resident s to the project, to date the project has a pool of 20 volunteers

Stage 2- Linking residents with agencies who are able to work alongside them to help achieve their vision for the community.

• St Luke’s role- developing a partnership with the residents of the Ambelside area to act as a link between residents and other agencies.
• Inviting residents to consider the skills and qualities they would contribute in this way harnessing the previously unacknowledged resources of the community itself.
• Encouraging the development of a sense of local identity
• Working in partnership with local agencies with the aim of strengthening the resiliency of the Ambleside Crescent community
• Implementing strategies to achieve residents goals
• Form a reference group with both agencies and residents to guide the project.

Stage Three-Evaluation and closing

• Ensure strategies are in place for residents to self manage the project
• Evaluate the strategies used in the project
• Celebration of project successes