Handing over $1 million in interest-free loans to Dubbo and Western NSW residents has been about “mates helping mates” for the small but committed Global Care team in the city.
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Since 2009 they have helped about 1150 people buy everyday necessities such as furniture and appliances, and cover the likes of healthcare and transport expenses.
The million-dollar milestone has given the team the chance to promote the Global Care motto “mates helping mates”.
Global Care Dubbo, run by the community services arm of the Riverside Church, is a provider of the Good Shepherd Microfinance No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS).
The fee-free and nationwide scheme offers low-income earners, Centrelink payment recipients and people experiencing financial disadvantage loans of up to $1500.
Applicants are helped prepare budgets so that repayments do not cause “financial pressure”.
Global Care Dubbo partners with other organisations in communities such as Parkes, Narromine, Nyngan, Cobar, Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Bourke.
They help residents of the communities lodge online applications with the team in Dubbo administering the loan process.
Brisbane-based international director of Global Care, Peter Pilt has congratulated Global Care Dubbo on the delivery of “safe, fair and affordable” loans.
“It’s $1 million dollars of help for people like the single mum whose fridge just died and she can't afford or is simply unable to raise a commercial loan,” he said.
“Lives have been made better and, dare I suggest, even changed by the team of Global Care Dubbo.”
State Member for Dubbo Troy Grant said Global Care Dubbo was “doing a great job supporting struggling families and individuals in our community”.
“I wish to thank them and their staff for all the hard work and support of the NILS scheme,” he said.
Global Care Dubbo, at 57 Thompson Street, can be contacted by calling 1800 155 884. Global Care is the social justice and disaster relief arm of the International Network of Churches.
NILS is supported by the NSW Department of Finance, Services and Innovation, Fair Trading NSW and the federal Department of Social Services.
NILS nationally has access to $23 million in capital funds from the National Australia Bank.