Assistance Beyond Crisis Micro-finance Project 

Supporting Care Inc. Financial Counselling Service in the ongoing delivery of the program, SERVICE ONE Alliance Bank will be providing interest free loans to people who have experienced and left a domestic or family violence situation. The loans are capped at a maximum of $5,000 (dependent on income and repayment capacity), with a loan term of up to three years.

Assistance Beyond Crisis Launch

Launched in Canberra on June 20th 2017 the program will help close the gap for the ‘missing middle’ – those between crisis and needing to re-established their lives, and between low-income safety nets and being able to afford services. Including SERVICE ONE's commitment as a Platinum donor, the program has already attracted $230,000 in pledges, just shy of its $250,000 target.

Anne, a courageous survivor of domestic violence, spoke at the launch about her struggles, how leaving an abusive situation can come with a significant financial burden and the difference a program such as this will make to people who experience a situation similar to hers.

The underlying values of SERVICE ONE made the decision to support the Assistance Beyond Crisis (ABC) microfinance program an easy one for Matthew Smith, its Chief Executive.

‘At SERVICE ONE, we share the view that no woman, man or child should be put in a position where they are subject to domestic or family violence. This includes both physical and emotional abuse. The unfortunate reality is financial dependence on a spouse or partner keeps people in these abusive situations. When they do make the decision to leave, financial independence is a must and the ABC program can play a vital role to establish this. We’re proud of our involvement – both as part of an initial group that identified this need in the community and in an ongoing capacity, supporting Care Inc. in the delivery of the program. It’s another example of how we try to Do Good in our community.’

Among other areas of community support SERVICE ONE is playing a proactive role in delivering health services to its local community. In December 2015 it partnered with the National Health Co-operative to deliver four new bulk billing health clinics that serve the needs of 20,000 locals across the outer metro region of Canberra.