BY MEREDITH BLAIR
Kate Munzenberger has lived and worked on and off in Singleton her whole life, but now she is excited to make a difference in her new role as Singleton Neighbourhood Centre’s Manager.
Before starring at the Neighbourhood Centre, Kate was a ParentsNext program leader at JobLink Plus, leading the program over four different regions of New South Wales.
Prior to that, Kate was also a childcare director for several years.
“In my previous roles, I’ve seen what is happening for vulnerable people and seeing what’s available in Singleton, especially what the Neighbourhood Centre does and has the capacity to do to help people really excites me,” Kate told The Hunter River Times.
In her role as manager, Kate is hoping to strengthen partnerships with community and organisations, and make sure that the community knows the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre is present to help when they need it.
“I love the way that this community connects to each other and it’s like a village, but I feel a lot of people in Singleton don’t have those big support networks or connections,” Kate said.
“I’m a big believer of ‘you don’t know what you don’t know until you know it’ and while there are a lot of resources available via social media for example, I don’t think there’s that expertise in advocacy or knowing where people can go to get support.
“A key part of my role will be collaborating with a whole heap of different organisations, knowing where to refer people if that’s what they want and giving people opportunities and choices, that’s where I really want to see the Neighbourhood Centre soar.”
Singleton Neighbourhood Centre currently has Lifeline counselling, health nurses, Home in Place, Upper Hunter Homeless Support and domestic violence support which they are able to refer people to.
Kate is appreciative of the support that the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre and their Open Door facility receive from the community.
“There’s such incredible volunteers that work within the centre and the Open Door activity, and the team we are creating here is one of experience, expertise and community,” Kate said.
“We’re also so grateful for the incredible support and generosity of our sponsors who allow us to keep doing the work we love for our community and are always interested in anyone who would like to come on board to help us support the needs of the community.”
Ultimately, Kate hopes to build on the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre’s 50-year legacy, seeing what more the Neighbourhood Centre can be doing for the community.
“We want more for Singleton, the community and families, and with so many people in vulnerable states at the moment, there’s so much more we could be doing, it’s just making sure that we facilitate it in the best way and keep making sure that the Neighbourhood Centre in approachable,” Kate said.
“I really want to make sure that the community knows that the Singleton Neighbourhood Centre is here to listen and see if there’s things we can do for people approaching or in crisis, if that’s what they want.”
