Encompass Care held its last mainly music event for the year on 9 December, celebrating with pre-schoolers and their families.
Encompass Care chief operations officer Gianna Donato said the weekly program allows young families to make connections in the community.
“Families that are socially isolated have really found this beneficial,” Ms Donato said.
Ms Donato said the program which runs on Tuesday mornings involves children aged 0-5 in dance, song and stories.
“It helps [parents] get … the kids school-ready.”
“Even when the older children have started school, they then bring the babies because they’ve seen the benefit of it.”
Ms Donato said the event was run like a Christmas party, with children were given toys and the families enjoyed a free lunch.
“Sometimes vulnerable families attend and we don’t want anyone to feel like they’re alone.”
Ms Donato said Encompass Care distributes more than 400 Christmas hampers to vulnerable families, helping them gift toys to their children.
“We also ran a massive community Christmas lunch for families … there was dancing and carol entertainment, it was really beautiful.”
Encompass Care also runs a food-crisis referral centre in Bundoora and Mernda.
“We’ve had an amazing impact on the community … we support over 700 families a week.”
Ms Donato said Encompass accepts monetary donations, which are tax refundable, as well as in-date food, new clothes and new toys. The last day the centre is open for the year is Wednesday 17 December .
Details: www.encompasscarevic.org.au or 0422 461 847
