Driven by hope – CarCare Shed connects with community
Brock Saunders has been the driving force behind the CarCare Shed.
CarCare is an innovative community-focused initiative that aims to bring hope to individuals and families by offering assistance with a variety of motor vehicles related issues. CarCare began informally in 2007 in Brock Saunder’s garage, with no funding but a deep commitment to help those in need.
The new 12m² CarCare Shed, constructed specifically for CarCare on the Forest Lake Community Church Mission site, was officially opened on 23 February, by Lieutenant-Colonel Miriam Gluyas, Secretary for Program.Those attending the opening included recipients from the CarCare Shed ministry, people from the Forest Lake Community Church Mission and its surrounding communities, South Queensland Divisional Commander Major Mark Campbell, South Queensland Divisional Secretary Major Rick Hoffmann, and local politicians Karen Struthers and Angela Owen-Taylor.
“In the first few years, people would donate old cars and I would fix them up from my garage and give them to needy families," said Brock, who attends Forest Lake Community Church Mission.
“With CarCare now operating from this new facility we can really increase our effectiveness and efficiency in being able to offer services to the community.”
For three days each week, Brock is a sports teacher at a local school for students up to grade six. Two days a week he and his team of volunteers work at the CarCare Shed, sourcing, maintaining and fixing cars, as well as mentoring others who come along to help.
“I would like to acknowledge our Mission Leader, Liam Glover, who mentored me in pursuing this idea as a ministry and championed me and my passion and gifts in an amazing way,” said Brock. CarCare has received a small government grant which allows Brock to be paid for his work which, until six months ago, was voluntary.
Since the construction of the CarCare Shed in late 2011, the initiative has completed 19 vehicle repairs at little to no cost to the client, and has prepared one vehicle for donation to a local family in need.
In the last few weeks, 16 cars have been donated to CarCare.
“We have also been generously supported with donations and discounts from Bunnings, Blackwoods and Titan Sheds,” said Brock. “We have tools, a hoist and plenty of space.”
Brock emphasises that CareCar is focused on people.
“This is really what’s behind CarCare – bringing hope into the lives of families, refugees, single parents, the elderly and others in need,” he said.
In addition to its maintenance and repair work, the other vital element of CarCare is mentoring.
“We provide a men’s shed, a place where mainly guys can hang out, catch up and mentor each other and just journey life together,” Brock explained.
CareCare is open to anyone. “We have men from the surrounding suburbs coming in, and we also offer work experience to kids from local high schools,” said Brock.
“It’s a great way to chat with them and build worth into them while they’re gaining skills and working on a project.”
For more information, or if you are interested in volunteering or supporting CarCare, visit salvos.org.au/lakesalvos/community/carcare/
Report by Simone Worthing
Story reprinted courtesy of Pipeline
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