Blessings for Oasis
Villa Maria Catholic Homes was pleased to invite its supporters and staff to the opening and blessing of a new and innovative service for children with a disability.
Oasis, in Ivanhoe, is a purpose-built home that will provide short-term accommodation for children aged 10 to 15 years with a disability.
A special thank you to Episcopal Vicar for Health, Aged and Disability, Monsignor Tony Ireland, who performed the blessing recently.
Chairman of VMCH’s Board, Bill Scales, said Oasis would be a safe and nurturing environment for the children who visit.
“Short-term accommodation services like this are an essential support to families. Children who attend our short-term accommodation services learn to be more independent, – to gain new skills, – to make friends, – and enjoy themselves when away from their families and carers,” Mr Scales said.
“It will become a beautiful, safe and modern ‘home-away-from-home’ for children to enjoy.”
Special features include an indoor climbing wall, a fish tank that takes up a large part of another wall, a backyard with specially designed outdoor play equipment, landscaped gardens and a cubby house.
VMCH already runs short-term accommodation services in Melbourne for children at four houses and adults in one house.
The new and purpose-built house can accommodate five children at any one time between 10 to 15 years. VMCH will manage the house and disability support workers will provide support to the children 24-hours-a-day and seven-days-a-week.
Learn more about Oasis or one of our other children’s short-term accommodation houses around Melbourne by calling 1800 798 921.
(Pictured above) VMCH CEO, Sonya Smart, Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne Episcopal Vicar for Health, Aged and Disability, Monsignor Tony Ireland, and Chairman of VMCH’s Board, Bill Scales, helped staff and supporters celebrate the blessing of Oasis in Ivanhoe, our newest short-term accommodation service for children with a disability.