Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service (DRERS) is a non-profit organisation connecting community and supporting people experiencing financial stress, crisis and hardship in the Dandenong Ranges on the outskirts of Melbourne.

LATEST UPDATE:  

* Easter food drive
* Closed Labour Day public holiday
* Seeking long term volunteers
* Our Op Shop has an Ebay page
 
Please click 'Latest News'  on the menu at the top to see further details.

We are a non-profit volunteer organisation providing emergency relief. We assist people facing crisis, for reasons such as illness, unemployment, domestic violence, homelessness, and other hardship. Since 1998, we have been offering aid that includes food, clothing and financial assistance.  We also have a drop-in centre located in the same building for people looking for social interaction, lunch or a cup of tea & coffee. We have public showers available for people with no access to one.  We also have our OP Shop located just a few minutes walk from our main building.

We are located: Lower level of the Belgrave Community Hub, 1616 - 1624 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave 3160          

Mon-Fri  9:00-12:30pm

  03  9754 7777  Mob: 0468 468430  

   enquire@drers.org.au

Areas we cover

Avonsleigh
Belgrave
Clematis
Cockatoo
Emerald
Ferny Creek
Gembrook
Kallista
Kalorama
Lysterfield*
Macclesfield
Menzies Creek
Monbulk
Mount Dandenong
Narre Warren East*
Olinda
Sassafras
Selby
Silvan
Sherbrooke
Tecoma
The Patch
Tremont
Upper Ferntree Gully*
Upwey
Yellingbo

* full service for Yarra Ranges residents only

PROGRAMS WE OFFER

EMERGENCY RELIEF


Our Emergency Relief department is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 12:30pm.  We are located at the Belgrave Community Hub, 1616-1624 Burwood Highway, Belgrave.

We provide emergency relief and so much more. Please bring I.D. such as a valid Health Care card that shows your current address.  Depending on your location,  situation and our available funds, we may be able to provide the following:

     *food
     *food vouchers
     *clothing vouchers
     *payment of prescription medicine/medical bills
     *essential travel assistance
     *crisis counselling
     * referrals
     * advocacy & information
     *payment of essential bills (or contribute to larger bills)

 

MI PLACE DROP IN CENTRE

Our drop-in centre is called Mi Place, and it is located in the Belgrave Community Hub. We provide free support and friendship to individuals and families in the hills and beyond. Feel free to drop in and connect up with others - or sit by yourself if you are not feeling up to a conversation with others - have a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, or join us for puzzles and games. There is also a hot shower available (towels can be provided).  Mi Place offers:

  • coffee and tea
  • light lunch
  • friendship
  • guitar
  • crafts, cards & board games
  • quiet area
  • friendly staff to talk to
  • group support
  • community resource contacts
  • shower

 

PETS ARE FAMILY TOO


We find people going through a crisis really need their pets more than ever.  If someone is offered crisis accommodation, but they have to choose between going into a shelter and giving up their pet, they’ll choose to stay on the street because at least they have their dog.

Monetary donations are also welcome as our not-for-profit organisation also helps pay vet bills, so that people who are homeless and disadvantaged can keep their beloved four-legged companions healthy.

It really makes a difference to someone if we can provide the family with pet food, as it’s such a load off their mind knowing that their pet won’t go hungry or get sick.

 

CHRISTMAS IN THE HILLS

Christmas time can be a very challenging time for many people in the community.  Each year we run a Christmas Appeal to help provide presents and food for our clients.  Clients with children are given the chance to choose from a selection of gifts that thegeneral public have kindly donated.  For clients with no children, we provide a Christmas food hamper.

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

"I came to find assistance with food. I'm a Mum of three and under financial stress. If it wasn't for Dandenong Ranges Relief Centre I don't know what I would've done.  Every little bit of support & guidance has been amazing. We are very lucky to have something like this in our community."

"DRERS, they are amazing, all the volunteers make you feel welcome and normal rather than belittled and embarrassed. The help, all round they provide is essential for when times get tough, and families or singles need help. Thank you so very much."

"As a former homeless person, I appreciate the support Mi Place offers.  The social interaction opportunities are great.  I also appreciate the fact they cook fresh meals. It is a great thing."


VISIT OUR OP SHOP

Looking for a bargain? Come and check out our op shop.  Situated on the main street of Belgrave at 1672 Burwood Highway Belgrave, we have all kinds of goodies to choose from. Our friendly staff will help you find what you need, or you might just come across an unexpected treasure. To contact the op shop phone 0491 646 069.

OUR HISTORY

 

Our charity was founded in 1997 by Frank Watson OAM & Meryl Watson OAM who recognised that some people in our local community needed help.  Frank & Meryl used their own car to pick up food and donations. As the years went on, the charity grew and now we have more volunteers and thankfully a Toyota ute to pick up food.  In 2018, we moved from our old premises on the main street to the modern Belgrave Community Hub building which we share with other organisations.

OUR PATRON

DRERS is grateful to have Philip Wollen OAM as our Patron. Philip is an Australian philanthropist, animal rights activist and humanitarian. We are fortunate to have the support of Philip and his wife Trix. Find out more about Philip on his Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Wollen

Philip and Trix donating their car for us to use for our services

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

We aim to provide without judgement, bias or discrimination, the necessities of life in the time of crisis. We endeavour to assist people who are disadvantaged due to illness, disability and poverty thereby creating a stronger, healthier and more caring community.

                                      

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

We are supported by the Department of Social Services, Yarra Ranges Council, the Ross Trust, the Besen Foundation, and the Jack Brockhoff Foundation.

 

 CONTACT US

1616-1624 Burwood Highway Belgrave, Vic  3160

email: enquire@drers.org.au

(03) 9754-7777 / Mob: 0468 468 430

ABN: 80 454 546 928

Incorporation Number: A0035544Y


Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube

      Image result for youtube logo

Our Op Shop has it's own Facebook and Instagram pages. The Instagram page has more regular updates.

    

 

© Copyright Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Service Inc.