John Pierce Centre

Mission Statement:

Inspired by Jesus Christ and the traditions of the Catholic Church, the John Pierce Centre seeks to empower all Deaf people and their families within Victoria to live their lives to the full.

Great electing place friendly sand happy staff at JPC David is happy to do volunteer work on Wednesdays

Vision:

To promote community through education, spiritual, and family Support

Values:

– To be inclusive of Deaf and hard of hearing people and their families

– To be fair and ethical in all of our dealings

– To have a team of staff and volunteers filled with passion and compassion

– To be open to working with other organisations, individuals and corporations

– To manage our resources with efficiency and effectiveness

– To create a safe environment

– To be accountable and transparent in our governance and business practice

 

Spirituality

We believe that Deaf people have the right to celebrate their faith in their own language, to participate in liturgical celebrations, develop and celebrate their own spirituality and discover meaning in life.

Masses

On the third Sunday of each month, there is a Mass celebrated in Auslan at 11am.

Interpreters are also provided on the second Sunday of  the month at St Francis Melbourne.

Weddings
The Pastoral Team at JPC can assist with marriage preparation and with weddings at other churches and locations.

Funerals
The Pastoral Team at JPC can assist with preparation and celebration of funerals either at JPC or at other locations.

Faith Development and Education

Various activities including workshops and retreats are offered for members of the Deaf community. These are opportunities for prayer, reflection, understanding and expression of faith, and for deeper meaning in life.

Sacraments

Preparation is available for Deaf and CODA children and Deaf adults.

JPC provide a range of programs to strengthen family relationships. Workshops on parenting issues are held throughout the year, along with family camps at least every two years.

Pastoral workers can visit parents and couples in their homes to offer support and assistance with daily matters. All families have their ups and downs and a pastoral visit can provide confidential and encouraging support in times of difficulty. JPC also provides regular fun activities for Deaf families with primary school aged children such as ; Footy Days, BBQ’s and bike rides, beach days and ice skating. Those with pre-school aged children might be interested to attend Signee-Tots our playgroup for Deaf parents with hearing or deaf babies and toddlers.

Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care enables relationships to develop, supports a sense of belonging and addresses issues of personal and community concern.

Counselling

Deaf people experiencing depression, anxiety, addiction, gambling,  family conflict  or other issues can access counselling with the assistance of the John Pierce Centre.  Appointments are made at Catholic Care branches in Malvern, Mitcham or Hopper’s Crossing with a hearing counsellor and Auslan Interpreter. You can receive up to six sessions with a qualified counsellor for free if you ask your GP for a Mental Health Services Plan.  JPC’s pastoral worker can help to make your appointments and make sure you have an interpreter you feel comfortable with. For problems such as gambling and addiction you may be assisted to access a more specialised counselling service. All bookings are highly confidential.

What is Counselling ?

When you meet with someone for counselling you are taking a positive step towards improving your relationships with family or friends and also how you feel about yourself.  At different times in life we can feel anger, disappointment, sadness or confusion.  If you feel stuck and not sure how to improve things, counselling might help you.

Counselling is for families, children, young people and adults in all stages of life.
If you are experiencing challenges and difficulties in life, the counsellor will try to help you explore different options that might improve your situation.
The counsellor will  support you through any pain or confusion you feel. A counsellor will not judge you or tell you what to do.
You will still make your own decisions and choices.
Counselling is confidential.
Counselling may be for a short time or long term.
Even if your partner doesn’t want to come with you, counselling can still be helpful
Counselling can help you understand how children experience family difficulty
Counselling can improve your relationship and communication with your partner and children
Your culture, religious beliefs or personal values will be respected. Counselling is for everyone.
JPC can arrange an Auslan interpreter for your counselling session free of charge.
JPC can help you to make an appointment with the counsellor   and assist with the payment of any fee.
Sessions usually last for one hour and are held in Malvern, Mitcham, Dandenong, Footscray and Geelong at Catholic Care – Family Services branches.

Pre Marriage Program

We provide individual couples with support in preparation for their wedding. This includes the use of FOCCUS program (in Auslan on DVD) which encourages couples to discuss topics important in their relationship.

Outreach

We provide a pastoral outreach to Deaf people in urban and regional Victoria. This outreach includes home and hospital visits, family support and advocacy.

Lifeskills

JPC provides opportunities for Deaf people to gain access to information that is readily available in the general community.

John Pierce Centre (JPC) is a community centre for all Deaf and hard of hearing people and their children.

Deaf Art 

Meets weekly on Friday during school terms – For people wishing to learn new skills in art activities.

TBA – View the schedule of activities here

Ladies Day Out 

The women in our community love to meet monthly for outings. The outings are often to an interesting venue, they are affordable and are easy to get to.

Please see below for the upcoming events.

Marilyn Monroe – Wednesday 18th May 2016

Mens Time Out 

A recent addition to our group, Men’s Time Out gives men an opportunity to get together in a familiar and relaxed environment.

Board games, cards, newspapers are provided.

Deaf Mens Group Activities – February to July 2016

Pankina 

(an Aboriginal word meaning ‘Be Happy’)

Pankina is a social club for Deaf People over the age of 50 years.

Pankina meets regularly at JPC and organises day trips and group holidays during the year.

They meet on Mondays with various activities each fortnight. Activities vary from bus trips to bingo gatherings.

Signee Tots 

A playgroup registered with Playgroup Victoria, primarily for Deaf parents and their children. Meets every Tuesday on a fortnightly basis.

Signee-Tots encourages a better understanding of Deaf culture, recognition of Deaf role models, and development of sign language.

CODA Activities

CODA activities are organised for Deaf people and their children. Activities range from footy days to picnics and bike riding.

– More information on the next CODA event, will be available soon.

Our Donation will support John Pierce Centre by:

– Providing support to Deaf families through counselling, courses and social gatherings

– Maintaining a community centre for all Deaf people and their families

– Offering liturgies, visitation of the sick and sacramental preparation in Auslan

– Supporting Deaf people whose needs do not conform to Government funding guidelines or disability criteria

How to donate:

Donations to John Pierce Centre can be made at any time by cheque or credit card

Donate Online:

To make a donation online with your credit card (either one off or ongoing on a regular basis) – please visit this website: http://www.givenow.com.au/jpcdonations

Donate by Post:

Please download this donation form. Once the form has been completed, please send it to the following postal address:

John Pierce Centre
25-35 High Street
PO BOX 443
Prahran VIC 3181

Donate by Phone:

You can call 03 9525 1158 during business hours to learn more about the John Pierce Centre and you can have the opportunity to discuss what is the best way to make a donation.

Have you thought of leaving a Bequest?

Leave a Bequest to the John Pierce Centre in your will or make a donation in memory of a loved one who has passed as a tribute to them.
Donations over $2.00 to John Pierce Centre are tax deductible.

Receipts are available on request for every amount of $2.00 or more.

Reviews

“Great electing place friendly sand happy staff at JPC David is happy to do volunteer work on Wednesdays”