Southeast community hero Franca Heins recognised for her amazing contribution
A woman from Fountain Gate has been recognised for tirelessly working to provide essential food and grocery items to vulnerable members of the communities.
South East
Don't miss out on the headlines from South East . Followed categories will be added to My News.
A community in Melbourne’s southeast has come together to nominate and crown their own local hero.
People in and around Fountain Gate rallied behind Franca Heins and Dandenong’s We Care Community Services, to crown Ms Heins as their community hero.
In an annual competition run by Westfield, people have a chance to nominate and vote for one of their own to win a prize of $20,000 to continue their hard work.
Chief executive of We-Care, Ms Heins, has worked tirelessly to provide groceries, toiletries and more essential items to more than 200 vulnerable people every week in the city’s southeast.
“Last month we fed more than 2000 people,” she said.
“We don’t really say ‘no’, there are too many families in need. There are no questions asked, we just help.”
Ms Heins began with We-Care four years ago, and said this year had seen more and more people reaching out for assistance.
“We definitely had a rise of people through Covid that needed help, but there are more people out there now than ever,” she said.
“With interest rates and utility rates increasing, and the cost of living constantly going up, more and more people are coming through.”
Ms Heins was motivated to step into the industry after her own experiences growing up.
“I’ve always wanted to help people in need,” she said.
“My mum raised five children by herself, and there were no community services to help.
“We had to rely on family and friends for support. It was a hard time. I’ve seen poverty and grown up in it. Now, many years later, I just want to be there to help others.”
Ms Heins said the $20,000 would assist We-Care in continuing to provide their care parcels.
“About five years ago we received a grant of $100,000 and we built a shed, but we couldn’t afford to fit it out and continue providing to the community,” she said.
“This $20,000 is going towards the fit out. Up until now we’ve had to use it as a storage shed.”
While she was embarrassed by the publicity the competition gave her specifically, Ms Heins was grateful We-Care was recognised.
“I’m very much a person who wants to stay behind the scenes, but all of our work that we do comes through grants and donations,” she said.
“I just want to thank everyone who voted for us, and everyone who volunteers for us. We couldn’t do any of our work without you all.”
Ms Heins said this grant will help We-Care continue to open doors for people in need.
gemma.scerri@news.com.au
