(02) 4262 1918

Community Support

Connecting people through community Supporting our community’s children, youth and families.

CareWays Community Centre’s are located at Dapto, Koonawarra, Horsley and Thirroul.

Information, Referral and Support

Do you need help with Housing, Financial Assistance or Family Support? Our team can help to provide information or referral pathways from all our Community Centre’s to ensure you are able to access the services you need!

Ph: 1300 307 902 or 02 4261 8426

Children and Families

Our playgroups play a vital role in increasing Children’s social, literacy, numeracy and motor skills, through play. Children 0-5 years and their parent/caregiver are welcome to attend each week during school terms. Each session is free and includes a healthy morning tea and a variety of fun and engaging activities.

  • 9:30am – 11:30am Wednesday’s at Koonawarra Community Centre (supported by an Early Childhood Educator).
  • 9:30am – 11:30am Thursdays at Horsley Community Centre.
I always look forward to Playgroup days to get out of the house and join in the fun and welcoming group
A great variety of activities each week, wonderful supportive and engaging staff

Youth

Our Youth Drop-In Programs provide a safe place for young people to hang out, socialise and participate in activities.

  • Thirroul Youth Drop on Wednesday’s 3pm – 5pm (during school terms)

    Thirroul Community Centre & District Library
  • Koonawarra Youth Connect on Thursday’s 2:30pm – 4:30pm (during school terms)
    
Koonawarra Community Centre

Participants in these groups can expect fun trivia games, art & craft, basketball, gaming and cooking. It is also a great place to meet friends and build connections with like minded people and the CareWays Youth workers.

I love attending, I don’t really enjoy many out of school activities.
It’s helping me make lots of friends and it’s just so fun

School-Based Programs

Generation Alpha Program (G.A.P)

Our Generation Alpha Program runs each term with Year 5 & Year 6 students from local primary schools. Students learn about a variety of different topics using fun activities, games and discussions and are linked with local services that will support them as they transition to High School.

The team enjoy watching friendships grow, students increase in confidence and return for other CareWays programs.

Young Women’s and Men’s Programs

Our Young Women’s and Men’s Programs are designed for young people between the ages of 12 – 15 years, to better equip them with life skills that will support them as they progress through High School and beyond. Topics can include Mental Health, Body Image, Healthy Relationships, Dangers of Alcohol & Other Drugs and Sexual Health.

The participants particularly enjoy the rewards excursion where the students buy an outfit from an op-shop and strut their stuff on the runway at the Community Centre or take in a game of bowling or laser tag.

The Young Women’s Program, run by CareWays, stands as a cornerstone of wellbeing initiatives for young girls
We are always impressed by how much our students get out of the program and the lifelong skills they are learning

Cultural Arts Program

This program provides an opportunity for Indigenous and Non-Indigenous students to learn about the core principles that make up Australian Aboriginal Culture. Each week students also learn a variety of different painting techniques which will assist them to make a banner to be displayed and utilised in community.

In collaboration with local schools and early learning centres, students and children have also helped to create and paint a massive mural artwork.

CareWays is a crucial community organisation, that excels in fostering collaborative action that students and teachers respond positively to
Through the Cultural Arts Program, CareWays has engaged the students in a significant way. They have developed greater respect and connections both in the community and school setting
The program facilitated opportunities for students to enrich their own understandings of Aboriginal culture, make connections within the school and wider community and to develop their own skills

Social Groups

CareWays offers a variety of social groups at our Community Centers for those wanting to meet new people and learn new skills. Our groups include:

  • Painting
  • Computer Clinics
  • Patchwork & Quilting
  • Creative Craft
  • Coffee and a Catch Up

Outreach – Supporting those in need

Food Assistance - CareWays offers free food hampers to those in need. Community members can pick up a bag of food items from our two locations.

  • Dapto Ribbonwood Centre (CareWays Head Office) and
  • Koonawarra Community Centre.

CareWays has also partnered with Dapto Leagues Club to support our local community through the ‘Hampers with Heart’ initiative. This initiative has seen Club members as well as the wider community come together to donate a variety of non-perishable food items, toiletries and pantry staples.

The food hampers also act as a great way of helping those in need with a first point of contact to get help, information and referrals to other services that can support them.

Community Events

CareWays runs a variety of inclusive community events celebrating and raising awareness of having respect, tolerance and acceptance for all and bringing our communities together. 

CareWays community events include:

  • Harmony Day 
  • Reconciliation Walk
  • NAIDOC at Koonawarra Community Centre 
  • Children’s Week 
  • Centre Open Days
  • and much more!

CareWays is grateful to all the fabulous community organisations, local schools, government departments and funding bodies that help us to host such fabulous community events. 

We love seeing so many community members taking part in activities, visiting stall holders, getting their faces painted, watching our wonderful entertainers and performers and coming together as a community. 

Awesome day down here at the CareWays family fun day for NAIDOC.
Your dedication to making a positive difference is truly inspiring

Community News & Events

News & Events Letter - Christmas 2024
December 12, 2024
2024 Annual Report
November 28, 2024
Trivia Night - 8th November 2024
October 31, 2024
View All News & Events

Crisis Support

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 000 (Triple 0).

Community Outreach

CareWays recently partnered with the NSW Reconstruction Authority to provide community outreach to residents impacted by floods. 

The CareWays team can help connect individuals and families to services such as:

  • Financial Assistance
  • Legal Advice and Tenancy Issues
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing
  • Homelessness and Crisis Housing
  • Youth Support Services
  • Charitable Organisations
  • Emergency Food Relief
  • Domestic Violence
  • Translation Services
  • Aboriginal Services

Our Community Centres

Koonawarra Community Centre

(02) 4262 1918
bookings@careways.org.au
36 Fowlers Road, Koonawarra NSW 2530
Get Directions

Horsley Community Centre

(02) 4262 1918 or (02) 4260 8245
bookings@careways.org.au
82 Bong Bong Road, Horsley NSW 2530
Get Directions

Offices conveniently located to service all of the Illawarra

Dapto Neighbourhood Centre

(02) 4262 1918
help@careways.org.au
93-109 Princes Highway, Dapto NSW 2530

(Within the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre)
Get Directions

What's On

Dapto Neighbourhood Centre offering services to the community, including:

  • Coffee and a Catch Up
  • Computer Classes
  • Creative Craft
  • Painting Classes
  • Patchwork & Quilting

Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre

(02) 4267 2500 or (02) 4262 1918
help@careways.org.au
352-358 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul NSW 2515

(Located within the Thirroul District Community Centre)
Get Directions

What's On

Thirroul Neighbourhood Centre offers services to the community,  including:

  • Youth Drop In - Wednesdays (during school terms)
  • Northen Suburbs Young Women's Program – Bulli & Woonona High Schools
  • Food Assistance
  • Information, Referral and Support
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