Community programs

Community Connectors delivers a culturally safe and responsive community transport service in partnership with local community, service providers, and businesses. This vital initiative supports harm minimisation, community safety, and ensures vulnerable individuals and families can access essential services and safe spaces including the health services, the Sober Up Shelter or home.

Our Community Connectors team delivers an outreach model grounded in collaboration, cultural safety, and responsive support. They work closely with local services and businesses to meet community needs, provide referrals, and offer follow-up assistance.

Staffed entirely by local Aboriginal people, our team brings strong community ties, cultural knowledge, and training in first aid, safety, communication, and de-escalation.

We prioritise inclusion making sure Elders, young people, and those facing hardship can participate fully. We also assist mums and kids with trips from the supermarket.

Community Connectors provide culturally safe transport to events that celebrate culture and strengthen community wellbeing. Our Community Connectors play a hands-on role in helping individuals and families, especially those with limited transport, to attend and engage in these important occasions such as funerals, football games, Youth Week, NAIDOC Week, Reconciliation Week, and other important gatherings.

Community Connectors is a vital lifeline for Kununurra’s most vulnerable.

Operating 2:30pm to 10:30pm, Monday to Friday.

The Shelter provides a safe space for people who are intoxicated or need a safe place to sleep. Many arrive via our Community Connectors bus, but walk-ins are welcome.

Upon arrival and sign-in, clients receive a light meal and a bed for the night. They can also shower, have their clothes washed, relax in the garden, and access spare clothes if needed. After a good night’s sleep they can have a light breakfast, cup of tea and a yarn with the Sober Up Shelter carers before heading home.

The Sober-Up Shelter is KWACs longest-running program, opening in 1996 and continuously supporting the community with a focus on safety and care.

Our caring, professional team offers support without judgment or discrimination. Trained in first aid, they frequently connect clients with other local services such as mental and physical health care, drug and alcohol rehab, domestic violence support, and suicide prevention.

The shelter is open from 2.30pm until 6.30am, Monday to Friday. You can find out more by contacting shelter@kwac.com.au or calling 08 9168 1528 and selecting 2 to reach the Shelter.

Our NDIS Remote Community Connectors (RCCs) enable anyone and everyone in the Kununurra area to access, register, and get the best possible service from their NDIS packages.

Our RCCs can:

• Explain to clients what the NDIS is, how a plan works, why they need a plan, and what their funding is used for.
• Attend appointments with clients to help them understand the NDIS in plain English.
• Do regular check-ins with clients to see how they’re doing.
• Run information sessions for groups or individuals.
• Link clients to a support coordinator or service provider.
• Complete referrals for potential clients to the Ord Valley Aboriginal Health Service.
• Gather information on behalf of the National Disability Insurance Agency to help support new applications.
• Work with any local service providers, including the hospital, who support clients on the NDIS.

Our RCCs travel across Kununurra and nearby communities, communicating in Kriol when needed to ensure clear understanding. Clients can contact RCCs anytime for support.

To find out more, please contact NDIS.Outreach2@kwac.com.au.