by Lorna Gordon

Hills Community Aid has been helping locals for over 54 years and are still making a big difference today . They offer assistance with everything from home work clubs and a supported playgroup for families , support groups for women and financial assistance for those doing it tough .

The cost of living at the moment is making everyday life hard , and this has been shown in the 23 per cent increase in calls that Hills Community Aid received in 2023 compared to 2022 . When the going gets tough , it ’ s important to know who you can turn to if you are struggling financially , if your home life is difficult and you need advice , or if you need some extra

help with your kids or transport on the community bus .

One of the pillars Hills Community Aid is built on is to provide a financial safety net for families or individuals who are experiencing hardship and have limited ways of getting out of the situation . Each case is reviewed on an individual basis and the assistance they provide is given according to the individuals ’ needs , providing things such as food or petrol vouchers , helping with utility bills or in some cases referring to other agencies who are better suited to help .

They also provide small no interest loans to people on a low income , so they can have access to money for white goods like fridges or washing machines , help to get a car fixed or pay for medical expenses .

Like the financial assistance , each case is reviewed separately and there are certain criteria that needs to be met to be eligible .

The HCA has a fantastic communitybased project which is designed to help students at risk of disengaging with school or people who are facing barriers to employment . This social enterprise is the Café Connect program which teaches people the skills to work as a barista , giving them access to employment .

Learning in the Hills gives people the opportunity to try something new and offers exercise classes , painting , needlecraft , social events and other creative outlets . These are open to people from age 16 and up and are very reasonably priced .

During July school holidays , HCA

have their NAIDOC Family Fun Day on 9 July at 92 Seven Hills Road , Baulkham Hills . Admission is free and you can enjoy Indigenous-themed crafts , take part in a treasure hunt , enjoy a cuppa from the Hills Daily Grind or buy food , courtesy of Sunrise Rotary Club . While you are there be sure to check out the open learning displays .

Of course , none of this would happen without the help of HCA ’ s dedicated volunteers ; in May they held an event to thank the 117 people who regularly lend a hand and have a collective 565 years of volunteering between them !

If you need help you can call ( 02 ) 9639 8620 , email enq @ hca . org . au or go to the website at www . hca . org . au to get more information .