Some communities may experience increased risk of drug and alcohol abuse due to culturally specific issues.  Centacare’s Mary of the Cross Coummunity Development Unit fosters partnerships and community relationships that encourage engagement of, and support for families suffering the consequences of substance abuse. The Community Development Unit works in consultation with leading members of community to identify the needs of those groups affected by alcohol and other drug abuse. We work with communities to empower at-risk groups with information, education and peer support in order to prevent substance abuse.  Community development initiatives build trust and social capital by establishing networks with community groups and local parishes as well as coordination of community development workers, volunteers and peer support groups that participate in community development projects.

The Community Development Unit is principally engaged with local communities and agencies in the City of Yarra through our Fitzroy location, in addition to the City of Greater Dandenong through the Cyrene Centre located in Noble Park. 

Community development projects that have occured in recent years include:

• The New Hope Project established in 2005 to assist Vietnamese families with children aged 0-5 years, where there was a alcohol or other drug problem. The Raising Hope Playgroup was set up as a component of New Hope, and operates from the Paddy O'Donohoe Centre in Noble Park to allow parents to meet and learn about parenting, nutrition, early childhood development and the effects of alcohol and other drugs.
• The Community Development Unit continues to support the Napier Street Playgroup targeted at families residing in high-rise units, and those newly arrived in Australia.