St Vincent de Paul welfare services staying in Waroona despite storefront closing its doors for good

Despite closing its op shop earlier this year, St Vincent de Paul has revealed it will keep its welfare services in Waroona.

It was revealed in early April the town’s Vinnies would be closing its doors for good, to the devastation of volunteers and community members.

Whilst the building is now empty, the organisation has not left town entirely, shifting its welfare services to the Waroona Community Resource Centre.

The organisation started operating from the Henning Street base on Monday and will continue offering support to the community.

CRC manager Stuart Macdonald said whilst he could not speak on the decision to shut the store, he feels the welfare service remaining in town was a very good outcome.

He noted having St Vincent de Paul continuing to support the community means the CRC will not be the only community support in town.

Mr Macdonald said Vinnies would be able to share the load of family support needed within the community, which was vital.

“It’s a good result for welfare,” he said.

“The biggest winners will be the community.”

Mr Macdonald said Vinnies executive manager Andrew York was pivotal in helping keep welfare in town.

Mr York said the emergency relief service will be there to support anyone experiencing hardship or financial distress, and had limited means or resources to alleviate their financial crisis in Waroona.

He said St Vincent de Paul would continue to provide food hampers, part payments of utilities and rent and referrals to other services.