The Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN) cut the ribbon on a new elevator last week at an event also celebrating the organisation’s 10th anniversary.
Established on May 8, 2015, and originally operating in Footscray, WERN combines the efforts of Rotary Clubs in the local district in a non-profit organisation that provides second-hand furniture, electronic products, and whitegoods to people in need.
The organisation is supported by 14 Rotary clubs across the district along with plenty of volunteers outside of Rotary.
Now operating in Ravenhall, WERN founder and administration manager Ross Butterworth said the new lift unveiled on the organisation’s 10th anniversary on Thursday, May 8, will provide several benefits.
He said one of these is increased accessibility to the facility’s mezzanine level.
“Often the clients we work with have disabilities … and they now have the access to get up there,” Mr Butterworth said.
“The mezzanine also accommodates the training room … the office space and amenities, [and] the lunchroom … now it gives us the ability to train the volunteers and to accept volunteers of all abilities, and to give them training for the potential of [returning] to work – which is the exciting part of it.”
Mr Butterworth said the organisation has seen a “tremendous increase in demand for client support”, meaning that it has needed to expand its services and attract more donations.
“To date, we’ve contributed around 40,000 volunteer hours, we’ve completed over 4000 collections and donations, and we’ve given out to our families over 110,000 items of furniture and other goods,” he said.
“Those goods can turn a house into a home.”
WERN is always looking for donations and volunteers, with details available on its website.
Details: wern.org
