I hope this finds you all well and that those of you with young families enjoyed some time together during the recent school holidays.

Having a safe place to call home is the springboard for the rest of life’s opportunities – or, as TS Eliot put ‘home is where one starts from’.  Improved health, independence and stability are things most of us are fortunate enough to take for granted most of the time.

Did you know that Baptist Care SA currently supports a range of clients in more than 100 residential properties across the state?

The Baptist Care SA Board signed off on our Housing Pathway Strategy (HPS) recently.  This is one of the key investments we are making to advance our Mission and to align with our Strategic Horizons Plan.

This strategy supports

• The development of a ‘mix and multiply’ approach designed to foster healthy inclusive communities
• Partnerships and collaborations to address our clients housing needs and aspirations
• Initiatives that reduce living costs and contribute to environmental sustainability
• The growth and quality improvement of services
• Organisational investment into service-related housing projects.

Our priority client groups include

• Vulnerable children
• Marginalised young people
• Families at risk
• Aboriginal people experiencing social and economic disadvantage
• People living with disabilities.

Over the next few years, it is our intention to grow the number of properties under management through both ownership and leasing arrangements.  These homes will provide safe, secure residences for individuals and families in our care.

While we anticipate that this strategy and the associated investment will dynamically evolve in line with the political and societal funding environment and the changing needs of our clients, our current aim is to deliver a balanced and sustainable residential housing portfolio of approximately 238 dwellings by 2025.

As I write this, the Executive is finalising the annual Staff Engagement Survey which will be distributed soon.  Everyone will receive an individual, confidential link to the survey and will have three weeks to complete it.  We’re looking forward to hearing what you have to say and to your ideas around how our organisation can further improve the way we provide quality services and live up to our Values.

I’m sure you’ll be pleased to know that Graham continues to do well in his recovery and is likely to be back in the office before the end of October.

This year’s Annual Report has just been finalised and it is humbling to see the breadth and impact of our work – and the amazing contribution you all make, every day, to improving opportunities for those doing it tough.  A big thank you to each of you!

Michael Hynes
Acting CEO