About Us
Boroondara Community Outreach (BCO) is a mental health ministry established in 1993 by the Uniting Church under the Presbytery of Yarra Yarra. We are an inclusive and welcoming community for those looking for a place to belong and to contribute. We are about creating a community of hospitality WITH people, a safe place where each person is valued as a member and who contributes to creating the community that is BCO. We value compassion and respect, nurture hope and encourage creativity. Our hope is, that when people feel they belong and are supported, their health and well-being will improve on all levels - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social.
Groups
We offer a variety of free group activities during the school term on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The downloadable timetable can be found below. Lunches are provided on these days.
Boroondara Community Outreach (BCO) is a mental health ministry established in 1993 by the Uniting Church under the Presbytery of Yarra Yarra. We are an inclusive and welcoming community for those looking for a place to belong and to contribute. We are about creating a community of hospitality WITH people, a safe place where each person is valued as a member and who contributes to creating the community that is BCO. We value compassion and respect, nurture hope and encourage creativity. Our hope is, that when people feel they belong and are supported, their health and well-being will improve on all levels - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social.
Groups
We offer a variety of free group activities during the school term on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. The downloadable timetable can be found below. Lunches are provided on these days.
| bco_timetable_2023.pdf |
Crisis Support & Food Relief
Food Relief - Mondays & Thursdays 10:30 - 2pm (Call 0409 019 269 if needed outside of these hours)
Fresh fruit & Vegetables, bread, non-perishables pantry goods and nutritious meals cooked onsite and frozen.
Crisis Support - We can support people who are struggling in a variety of ways. We have some capacity to offer direct assistance, advocacy and referrals to other services. BCO works closely with the mental health and community service providers in the area and is part of the Boroondara Mental Health Alliance.
Homeless Supports - Washing machine & dryer, use of computers and the internet, shower packs to access showers for free at local YMCA.
Coordinator & Minister of BCO
Rev. Natalie Dixon-Monu leads a team of volunteers and part-time employees. With 30 + years experience and a B.A, B.Theol. and a Grad.Dip.Human Services-Counselling, she enjoys supporting people and being part of the BCO community. She has worked in adult and juvenile prisons, as a family support worker, youth worker and has spent a substantial amount of time at BCO, which also involves outreach in rooming houses.
What people say about BCO
'My experience at BCO has been fantastic. I came here a broken person, but I’ve found a wonderful source of support which has enriched my life with loads of great activities and opportunities that BCO and Rev Natalie organise'
'BCO is a warm, welcoming and caring community where all are accepted and loved'
'Because of these get togethers, I no longer feel alone and isolated'
'To feel you belong somewhere, that means more than life itself'
'When I turned up here I discovered a community to belong to, not an organisation that provides a service and they are two really different things. That’s what makes this place unique.'