Resources for single parents

FATHER'S SUPPORT SERVICE
126 Marsden St, Parramatta. Telephone 9806 0200.
Provides a variety of sessions to help fathers develop their valuable family/child relationships.

Co–dependants Anonymous or CoDA
This is a twelve–step program based on the twelve steps and traditions of Alcoholic Anonymous. Its purpose is to provide healing and recovery from the disease/disorder known as Co–dependency. Co–Dependents Anonymous Central Office, phone (02) 9264 4360 for details of the nearest meeting (or leave a message on answering machine).

MENDS – SEPARATION & DIVORCE RECOVERY
MENDS Program for men – male friendly workshops developed to help separated men plan and rebuild their lives and themselves. The program provides valuable, hard to get practical, parenting, legal & child support information and assists men to find personal and relationship insight and clear direction.
Phone (02) 9427 9128. MENDS is supported by the Men's Health and Wellbeing Association and the Federal Government.

UNIFAM COUNSELLING AND MEDIATION SERVICE
Unifam is a non–discriminatory, not–for–profit resource for families, partners and children. Unifam Counseling and Mediation Services offers family therapy, relationship counseling, mediation and relationship education in NSW. For more information ring Cassie Howse or Sandy Martel at Unifam on 9891 1628.

LONE PARENT FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICE (City East, Northern Beaches, Northwest)
Provides support for lone mothers and fathers in the form of counseling, family workers, courses, workshops, home visits (where necessary) and provision of quarterly newsletter. Lone Parent Family Support Service’s basic concern is for the welfare of the children. For more information call June on 9893 8249.
website www.loneparentfamilysupport.com.au

YMCA SYDNEY AND NSW SPORT AND RECREATION
YMCA has sport and recreation holiday centres and a variety of programs catering for 5yr olds, teens and families.
Contact NSW Sport and Recreation on 131 302 YMCA Outdoor Recreation Manager on 9869 1417 or
website www.dsr.nsw.gov.au

DADS IN DISTRESS
Dads in Distress is a dedicated support group of men (in Australia) whose immediate concern is to stem the present trend of male suicide due to the trauma of divorce or separation. Contact 1300 853 437 or
website www.dadsindistress.asn.au

FAMILY LAW REFORM ASSOCIATION
Family Law Reform Association is a non profit group that meets 7:30pm first Monday each month at Bankstown RSL to deal with contact, abduction and family law related subjects. Guest speakers. Phone: Coral Slattery on 9542 2459.

RAISING DIFFICULT CHILDREN
This is a positive parenting course run by the Pastoral Institute of Australia designed to assist parents set in place behaviour management strategies, raise their own level of parenting skill and self esteem, while developing competence and accountability in the child. Phone Brenda or Dr Powell on 9683 3664.

YOUNG ENDEAVOUR YOUTH SCHEME is an especially created organisation whose aim is to give a broad range of young Australians (16–23yrs) the opportunity to develop personal skills, initiative, teamwork and leadership. Phone 9368 1800.

INTERRELATE operated by Family Life Australia
Provides group workshops for men dealing with personal, parenting, financial, relationship and other problems. Steve Graham or Peter Llewellyn–Smith 9764 2466.

SOLE PARENTS' UNION
Works on behalf of custodial parents and their children, for a better deal form government, business and the community generally.
Phone 9317 3177
e–mail amatista@ozemail.com.au
website www.soleparentsunion.org

CENTACARE
Provides a wide range of service ranging from adolescent, counselling, mediation, education, pastoral care and family support services. Phone head office: 9847 2750.

SCOUTING AND GIRL GUIDE organisations
These are a great way for kids 6 and up to have fun, achieve a more balanced lifestyle and integrate with the community. For more info, Scouts Aust. Phone 9799 9244 or Guides Aust. Phone 1900 123 008.

FAMILY RELATIONSHIP ONLINE
Family Relationships Online is a key component in Government support for building better family relationships. It provides all families (whether together or separated) with information and advice about family relationship issues. It allows families to find out about services that are funded by the Government that can assist them to build better relationships. It also provides information on the Government's reforms to the family law system to help families focus on the needs of their children. Family Relationship Advice Line: 1800 050 321
website: www.familyrelationships.gov.au