Stewarding change? A discussion about the METRO care model in regional Australia

Abstract

METRO Care is a Toowoomba-based not-for-profit organisation and is the community care expression of METRO Church Toowoomba which is in south-west Queensland in Australia. METRO Care partners with the local community offering innovative and targeted outreach programme that complement existing services. This chapter presents a discussion on the METRO Care partnership model highlighting the innovative projects METRO Care has initiated in the community. The METRO Care Street Crews program, a harm minimisation, peer-support street outreach program, operating every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night in the Toowoomba central business district is showcased in this chapter. These programme aim to (a) provide an on-the-ground support network helping young people find effective solutions and support in accessing vital services and (b) reduce alcohol-related behaviours and maintain a safer night precinct. This chapter presents a discussion held by the authors on the focus and work of METRO Care in developing innovative sustainable partnerships in the Toowoomba community and suggests that their programme offer a model for stewarding change in the non-government organisation sector.