OUR PART FOR ROTARY DISTRICT D9800

Western Emergency Relief Network (WERN) provides emergency relief and assistance through supplying good quality second hand furniture, electronic and whitegoods, to people in need due to homelessness, mental health, family violence, refugee, fire or flood situations.

The people assisted are those who have been identified to have an urgent need for material aid as a result of experiencing trauma or loss, where they have a need to move or perhaps cannot afford basic living requirements, where they are struggling to buy essentials such as furniture and other household goods.

WERN manages a group of volunteers responsible for the collection, assessment, the repair and cleaning of donated goods. WERN facilitates the supply of all appropriate items to be available to individuals and families in need through our network of Member Welfare Agencies. With over 40 partner agencies and 220 accredited Case managers the WERN program is making a marked difference on the ground in assisting those in crisis.

Rotary Clubs from Bacchus Marsh, Caroline Springs, Essendon North, Hoppers Crossing, Melton Valley, Werribee, Wyndham and Yarraville are taking a lead role in managing WERN to provide this service. The Program currently operates from a warehouse located in West Footscray. WERN is on target to having assisted over 600 families within our own community since inception.

Area of Operations:
The Municipal Councils in the WERN region are: Brimbank; Hobson’s Bay; Hume; Maribyrnong; Melton; Moonee Valley; Moorabool; Moreland and Wyndham.
 
Program Representative: Tony Ebejer (Wyndham)
 
 
 
OUR HISTORY
 
WERN® is a non-profit organization changing lives every day for those marginalized in our society or suffering trauma through emergency circumstances. We help trauma victims recovering from such devastating events as fire and flood.
 
WERN® also assists in situations such as family violence, refugees and the homeless. WERN is made up of people and organizations who care and want to make a difference.
 
Do you want to make a difference to the lives of others?
Do you want to help people in a crisis?
Can you afford a few hours per month with like-minded people helping others?
Can you assist our valuable program through financial or physical assistance?
WERN supports Welfare Agencies and their clients from the following municipalities:
Brimbank; Hobson’s Bay; Hume; Maribyrnong; Melton; Moonee Valley; Moorabool; Moreland and Wyndham.
 
WERN’s Warehouse Manager David is eager to welcome you to WERN in any way you can assist. Please contact him on 0418 788 920. Please note donations of goods must be by appointment only.
 
January 2015: WERN is now up and running. We become incorporated as of January 2015 supported by a number of Rotary Clubs in the west of Melbourne and including local business, Councils and Trusts.
 
The latest of these to come on board is the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust providing much needed funds to support the growth of the program. CMV Group and Volvo are preparing a furniture delivery van to donate to WERN in a four-year deal.
 
VicTrack have donated our Premises with a 12-month lease in West Footscray and this will be our base for the near future. The Committee wishes to thank all involved in preparing the venue, volunteering their time and assistance and sponsoring the Program.
 
If not already involved, your help is also welcomed, if you are in a position to assist with volunteering once a week, once a month or whenever you have some spare time to assist we have light, easy duties to become involved with while helping others in need in our community.
 
Our delivery van only requires a standard car licence to drive it for pick ups and deliveries, our donated furniture needs inspection, sometimes cleaning and occasionally minor repairs.
Clubs can also adopt the program to support their local community through WERN. If you want to know more about becoming involved or would like a speaker to address your Club or organization, please contact us on the details in the attached PDF newsletter.
 
If you want to get involved, know someone who could help or you wish to donate furniture, bedding, electrical or whitegoods please contact below representatives.
 
Come join us and support your local community. You can find us on Facebook on Western Emergency Relief Network