Meeting the growing needs of Pakenham’s community
Every day at CatholicCare Victoria’s Pakenham office, people seek support for complex challenges, from housing insecurity to settling into a new country or school system.
Every day at CatholicCare Victoria’s (CCV) Pakenham office, people walk through the doors carrying complex and often overwhelming challenges. Some are worried about where they will sleep next. Others are navigating a new country, a new language, or a new school system for their children. Many are simply looking for support to regain stability during a difficult season of life.
These are the realities facing individuals and families across the Shire of Cardinia, and they were front and centre during a recent visit from Senator Lisa Darmanin to CCV’s Pakenham office.
The visit acknowledged new funding through the Financial Wellbeing and Capability Activity scheme, which supports CCV to continue delivering financial wellbeing and support services to people experiencing vulnerability across Victoria.
During her visit, Senator Darmanin spent time with Group Director of Client Services Nick Collins and Senior Manager of Family Relationship and Wellbeing Services Domenic Vigilanti, hearing directly about the issues clients are presenting with and the support they are seeking.
The conversations reflected what staff see every day: a growing number of people experiencing homelessness and housing stress, increasing support needs among new migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, and children facing the challenge of settling into school while adapting to new cultures and environments.
Our team is deeply connected to the needs of this community, and we are seeing more people reaching out for help as pressures continue to rise,” said Nick Collins. “This investment enables us to provide timely and meaningful support so people can regain stability and confidence.
For many clients, access to local services can be the difference between coping alone and feeling supported. Senator Darmanin highlighted the importance of ensuring help is available close to home.
“Community services are essential services,” she said. “Grants like these facilitate people to get the support they need within their communities, instead of having to travel for it.”
Pakenham is one of Victoria’s fastest-growing and most diverse communities, and that diversity brings both opportunity and complexity. For families new to Australia, for children finding their feet in unfamiliar classrooms, and for individuals facing financial or housing instability, the need for compassionate, culturally responsive support continues to grow.
Pakenham is a rapidly growing and diverse community, and the needs we see are changing just as quickly,” said Domenic Vigilanti. “Our services are designed to meet people where they are, offering compassion, practical guidance and connection when they need it most.
At CCV, the focus remains firmly on the people behind the statistics. By providing accessible, practical and compassionate support, our Pakenham team continues to walk alongside individuals and families as they rebuild stability, strengthen wellbeing and create a more hopeful path forward.
