Noah's Retreat Wildlife Refuge is transforming into an eco-lodge retreat and community services center to support victims of violence and those facing difficult life circumstances. Located on 5 acres in Lake Macquarie, NSW, it serves the local and broader Newcastle/Hunter communities through volunteer-run programs. Noah's Retreat partners with organizations like NDIS, Headstart, and Jobquest to provide therapeutic animal interactions, life skills training, and work experience opportunities to help build confidence and self-esteem. It aims to become financially sustainable through donations from its new "Essential Partners" program and grants.
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25/08/2016
Dear Community Members,
Noahs Retreat Wildlife Refuge is preparing to become an Eco Lodge Retreat, and a Community
Services for victims of violence/ people in difficult life circumstances, plus we have animals ranging from; birds
to pigs and ducks to alpacas, which assist us with engagement with the people we help. Noahs Retreat is on a
five-acres site situated in the Lake Macquarie Shire in Newcastle NSW. Our community services support local
needs as well extending interest from organisations we serve and also help in otherareas of the Newcastle and
the Hunter region. We are a 100% volunteer-run community service, and we would like to introduce ourselves
as many have heard about us but do not know what we do.
Noahs Retreat supports participants in our programs from Headstart, NDIS, Response,Delando Crescent, New
Horizons, Allambi House,Jobquest,internship programs and provides work experience programs for schools
and WFD and youth training agencies. The therapeutic nature of being with animals in the midst of a caring,
encouraging and learning environment has produced positive results.
The objects of Noahs Retreat Community Services are:-
To make a place of peace and safety for individuals in difficult life circumstances of all backgrounds.
i. Refuge for victims of violence.
ii. Refuge for families with members who have a terminal illness;
iii. Assistance forpersons desiring time out from life’s difficult circumstances.
To operate a wildlife refuge.
To provide education, training, rehabilitation and mentoring opportunities in support of persons
referred government agencies and the general community.
Any activity ancillary to the above objects.
Noahs Retreat Community Services also provides life skills mentoring for "all" participants involved in our
programs and projects. We aim towards improving the confidence and abilities of those with disabilities
focusing on the wellbeing and positive outcomes for some of the most disadvantaged,isolated and vulnerable
sections of the community. We aim high on individual personal encouragement and a positive outlook for all
situations,building self-esteem, building confidence for those in workplace assimilation and internship
programs as well as encouraging and restoring the emotionally wounded also who attend which are experiencing
difficult life circumstances.
We also partner with various organisations and provide support programs for mildly intellectually
struggling persons by their participation in our animal care and other programs to provide positive sensory
experiences, adding to build self-esteem and self-worth in individuals. The below organisations attend various
workplace programs and are hopeful to be involved in different projects over the next twelve months pending
receiving financial support from the community, the receiving of grants and corporate support/funding;
NDIS - (Supporting persons with mild physical and otherconditions such as Aspergers and otherareas of need .)
HEADSTART- (Helping individuals with mild brain injuries.)
RESPONSE GROUP and CASTLE PERSONEL - (Supporting mildly intellectually people within community.)
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Additional Community Support.
Internships,work experience, workplace assimilation, general volunteering.
Noahs Retreat conducts three site program areas, animal care, site maintenance and site improvements.
Engaging with work experience and internship programs with organisations such as Jobquest,Castle Personnel,
Cooks Hill Campus, Whitebridge High School, Work for the Dole programs, youth community work programs
and training and various otherschools providing experience job activities.
General Community volunteers are also welcome and are invited to support the vision in the areas mentioned
above. We constantly are in need of specially skilled trades which seems to be the volunteering area we are
always experiencing a regular shortage.
Volunteers and Participants in Programs Contributions.
The contribution of participants in our programs and projects have given many a brand new hope for
finding purpose in life through a strong sense of involvement and joy in contributing to the wider vision we are
filling on site. The feeling of accomplishment through personal achievement and character building, at the same
time, helping to establish the site with projects and maintain the site. Volunteers and Participants assisting Noah’s
Retreat to be future ready with necessary infrastructure to be a Wildlife refuge.
In our mission to create funding and aid for our regular on-going expenses, our goal is to introduce an essential
partners program. ‘The Essential Partners.’
‘The Essential Partners,’ will become a vital part of Noahs Retreat Community Services’ vision. By businesses,
individuals, and otherorganisations making a commitment to regular monthly donations,they allow us to
budget and plan ahead with confidence that the many recurring expenses will be covered,and our work can
continue into the future. Which is an especially good option as all donations are tax deductible.
If regular financial donations are not possible,and you wish to support Noahs Retreat Community Services with
a single donation, volunteering, products or services,please kristen.j.noahsretreat@gmail.com.
If you have any further questions orwould like an application for kristen.j.noahsretreat@gmail.com, please
telephone us on 0402120048 or email us at noahsretreat@gmail.com and we will be happy to discuss this
further with you.
Kind Regards,
From the Noahs Retreat Team,
Noahs Retreat Community Services Inc.
Ph: 0402120048
General inquiries E: noahsretreat@gmail
Donations E: kristen.j.noahsretreat@gmail.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Noahs-Retreat-821687141223021/
Noahs Retreat CommunityServices Incorporatedare;
ATO full tax deductibility (Full DGR status) andTaxExempt organisation
Registered"Not for Profit"organisation withACNC
RegisteredPublic Benevolent Institution
RegisteredIncorporatedAssociation(NSW Fair Trading) Inc. Number1500943
Charity FundraisingNumber CFN/23900
ABN 19882500900