About Kyeema

Vision

People of all abilities are able to actively participate as valued members of our community.

Purpose

Support and empower individuals to make choices to enrich their lives.

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Kyeema supports over 240 individuals and their families mostly across the Glenelg Shire, and has been operating since the late ’60’s when a small group of committed people advocated for service for their sons and daughters.

Over the years Kyeema has broadened and developed services in response to peoples’ needs. We continue to listen and respond to individuals and families.

Services for adults include individual and group supports in people’s homes and in the community. Supported employment is offered through our Seawinds Nursery, Windward Industries and Green Fingers Gardening enterprises.

Services for children include group activities, school holiday programs and teenage recreation and respite. Kyeema Support Services Inc currently employs more than 110 staff (this includes full time, part time and casual staff) who support more than 240 Participants.

Values

Quality

We deliver excellent services driven by the goals and needs of participants and underpinned by strong ethics.

Integrity

We value respect, transparency and integrity in all we do.

We believe in the right of people of all abilities to live a full and inclusive life.

Enjoyment

We believe it’s important to enjoy life – have fun, make friends and be the best we can be.

Partnership

We believe in good teamwork, promoting partnerships and collaboration with others.

History

“For six years, the Portland Red Cross ladies transported children from Portland and the surrounding district to Hamilton, to attend the Mulleraterong Day Training Centre… In 1966, it was decided to try and start a Centre in Portland as these children needed much more than two days training per week and the long trip to Hamilton was very tiring for them”.

Mrs Glenice Porter, one of the prime movers in the establishment of Kyeema Support Services Inc.

On August 19th 1966 a Public meeting was held in the Portland Town Hall with Cr Mibus as Mayor of the town of Portland chairing. A committee of ten people was established.

The Kyeema Centre opened in June 1967 in the Portland Guide Hall. These temporary premises were used until funds could be raised to build on the land the Portland Town Council gave for this project.

On 23 November 1969 the new building was built on land donated by the Portland Town Council at the corner of Lalor Street and Bridgewater Road and was officially opened by the Hon. Malcolm Fraser. This facility provided services to children and adults and later became the head office from which many other community-based services were organised.

As more services were added over the years to address the needs of the community, additional locations were established around Portland for supported employment, overnight respite, supported accommodation, Support Coordination and the Neighbourhood House.