Gateways Support Services empowers and supports more than 1300 children and adults who have a disability/additional needs and their families, who live in the Western division of Victoria operating from several locations including Geelong, Warrnambool, Colac, Camperdown, Hamilton, Western Melbourne and Braybrook.
Gateways supports people with disabilities every step of the way of their life. From early childhood intervention, therapy, out of home care, respite and recreation programs through to adults living in independent and supported accommodation.
Since 2009, Give Where You Live has provided $175,000, to help Gateways Support Services renovate and extend their Geelong West head offices, to build new therapy rooms, a new autism assessment suite and new meeting rooms for social programs, parent education and parent support programs. During the 1st quarter of 2014, Gateways has conducted 23 autism assessments and seen 159 families in the therapy rooms as an alternative to home visits.
One client in particular who has benefitted from a number of Gateways programs since 2011, is Roslyn who recently celebrated her 50th Birthday Party at Gateways. “Thank you for letting me have my party at Gateways. I had a good time being with my new friends.”
Roslyn, who lives in one of Gateways’ supported houses, has had many great accomplishments since being with Gateways. She’s gained her Certificate 2 in Cookery and currently adds massive value to the Gateways interviewing and induction process.