Community Pantry Conference - Illawarra

Before joining Anglicare in January 2012, Andrew lectured in Ethics at Moore Theological College and was a minister in Sydney and in Broome, WA. Andrew with wife Kylie and oldest son Tim, is now a member of Soul Revival Anglican Church, Kirrawee. Passionate about the partnerships that Anglicare has with local churches, Andrew says, 'Lonely people seeking connection and relationship is a growing need in our city. Churches are vital partners with Anglicare in combating this loneliness and creating opportunities for relationships that have an eternal impact.'

Kate Appleyard works as a Case Worker and Client Support Worker in Food and Financial Assistance (FFA) program - Anglicare in the Western Sydney team since September 2021. Kate's training is in Community Welfare - Children and Families and Adolescent mental health. Prior to Kate's FFA role, she has worked Anglicare's Foster Care as a Senior Case Manager and a Family Support Worker in Carramar Early Interventions supporting young mothers and their children. Kate has been part of the Anglicare family for 16 years.

Beth Schwalbe has been a Financial Counsellor at Anglicare for 4 years. She is a Certified Financial Counsellor and Certified Practicing Accountant. She worked as an accountant for 20 years in a wide variety of accounting roles in small and large companies, in Australia and the Netherlands. She left accounting because she felt a calling to use her skills and financial knowledge to help and educate others and now works as a financial counsellor. She provides support, information, and advocacy for vulnerable clients, helping them to overcome crises and achieve long-term financial stability.

In his role as Anglicare's Senior Program Manager, Cross Cultural Services and Family and Life Skills Education, he partners with churches in running parenting courses, presenting seminars on parenting, marriage & family life and facilitating workshops in skills to do with connecting, caring and communicating with others. He is also part of the counselling team at our Southern Counselling Team. Steve has a background in social work and parish ministry. He joined Anglicare in 2017, having been Senior Minister at Austinmer Anglican Church for 10 years.

Jessica Deans, part of Anglicare's Family and Life Skills Education team since 2014, focuses on enhancing community wellbeing and connection. With a background in psychology and community services, she started as a caseworker in Food and Financial Assistance, then shifted to supporting clients in transitional housing.