{"id":1867,"date":"2026-04-01T10:35:03","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T23:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yfsorgaustg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=1867"},"modified":"2026-07-23T11:49:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T01:49:15","slug":"seeing-the-whole-person-yfs-financial-hub","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yfs.org.au\/sw\/articles\/seeing-the-whole-person-yfs-financial-hub\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeing the whole person: YFS\u2019 Financial Hub"},"content":{"rendered":"
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When someone reaches out to the Financial Hub because they need help managing their money, the team at YFS are quick to reassure them that they aren\u2019t alone.<\/p>\n

\u2018People often feel a lot of shame asking for financial help,\u2019 says Melanie Evans*, Program Manager for the Financial Hub.<\/p>\n

\u2018But so many of us need support at some point in our lives. Nobody who is brave enough to seek help ever receives judgement from us here.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Not all of us learned how to manage money well when we were young,\u2019 she says. \u2018And even if you did, there are things outside your control which can cause financial hardship.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n\n\n

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“Being able to live free from financial stress<\/em>, sometimes for the first time in your life, is a game-changer<\/em>.”<\/blockquote>\n\n
\n \n Melanie, Financial Hub Program Manager<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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\n Who can the Financial Hub help<\/em>?
And what happens next? <\/h2>\n \n\n
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Any person living in Logan who contacts YFS looking for help managing their money, understanding their financial options, or seeking help paying a bill can have their details passed on to the Financial Hub for support \u2013 and will receive a call back from a member of the team.<\/p>\n

\u2018Initially, we call to get an overall snapshot of what their life is like right now \u2013 their living situation, work situation, any support they receive from family and friends, and their income and debts.\u2019<\/p>\n

Then, Melanie explains, the team will help them develop a plan that\u2019s the right fit based on the client\u2019s priorities and goals.<\/p>\n

\u2018It really depends on the individual\u2019s circumstances. If someone is in rent arrears, for instance, there will be very different options than somebody having difficulty meeting their mortgage payments.\u2019<\/p>\n

Once the Financial Hub has a solid understanding of someone\u2019s situation, a team member will begin discussing potential solutions to help the client gain control of their finances. This might include developing a household budget, brainstorming the best way to work off a SPER (State Penalties Enforcement Registry) debt, drafting an affordable payment plan, or exploring the possibility of a waiver (or other financial hardship options).<\/p>\n

At every point in the process, the client decides what happens; the Financial Hub\u2019s role is simply to provide them with all the information they need to make an informed decision.<\/p>\n

\u2018That\u2019s the best part of the job. Giving someone who doesn\u2019t have a voice their voice back.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Why choose Financial Counselling? <\/h2>\n \n\n
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Financial Counselling is a free service, funded by the government, offering independent support and advice. It\u2019s for anyone who wants to improve their money skills and take control of their finances.<\/p>\n

And if someone is concerned about a debt, the team will go through all their options, including possible payment plans, moratoriums, No Interest Loans (NILs), extensions, accessing your superannuation early, selling property, seeking a waiver, or entering bankruptcy.<\/p>\n

\u2018Together we will look at the pros and cons of each until you\u2019re confident to choose your next steps,\u2019 says Melanie.<\/p>\n

\u2018There are a lot of debt management firms who promise to help you with your debt. But they often charge high fees and can sometimes even make the problem worse.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Seeing the whole person<\/em> <\/h2>\n \n\n
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Central to the way the Financial Hub works is ensuring each person receives the right support \u2013 and not just for their immediate financial crisis.<\/p>\n

\u2018You don\u2019t know what you don\u2019t know,\u2019 says Melanie. \u2018We provide information about lots of ways to help you and your family meet your needs, like exploring whether you may be eligible for Additional Childcare Subsidy<\/a>, how to find a bulk-billed psychologist, or whether there is a rental subsidy you can access \u2013 even free or low cost holiday activities for the kids.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018And when someone leaves the Hub, we want to make sure they\u2019re in a better place than when they came to us. For instance, have they seen the GP, or someone to support their mental health? If not, let\u2019s help them with that, as well.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018I think that\u2019s something quite different about our approach. We always try and journey with someone to understand the root causes for their financial stress and look at what can be done to help there too.\u2019<\/p>\n

And while clients often first approach the Financial Hub because of a debt or financial crisis, they can keep working with the team to improve their money skills even once the immediate problem is resolved. And this, Melanie explains, is where the real magic lies.<\/p>\n

\u2018When someone learns how to accurately track their expenses and save money, it can literally be life-changing. Being able to live free from financial stress, sometimes for the first time in your life, is a game-changer.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Our clients tell us stories about how learning to budget helped them take their kids on their first proper holiday or meant they could continue living in the home they loved.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\n Spending a lot on gambling<\/em>? <\/h2>\n \n\n
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Melanie\u2019s team also support people with gambling habits, and any loved ones who may be impacted by their gambling.<\/p>\n

\u2018Often someone comes in worried about a family member or friend. Sometimes those who love us see the situation most clearly.\u2019<\/p>\n

Depending on what a client wants, the team can help track precisely how much they spend on gambling each month (it can be surprising) or discuss options to make sure important expenses are always paid first, like rent or mortgage payments, electricity, insurance, and vehicle registration.<\/p>\n

And if someone wants to cut back or stop, the Financial Hub can help them explore next steps, like seeing a specialist Financial Gambling Counsellor or potentially putting blocks on their phone or limits on their accounts.<\/p>\n

\u2018I wish we talked more openly about gambling harm in Australia. I think it\u2019s easier to talk about your mental health or struggles with alcohol than it was, say ten years ago, but there is still stigma around saying my gambling might be causing problems for me or my loved ones.\u2019<\/p>\n

Going forward, the team at YFS\u2019 Financial Hub wants this to change. And they understand that, always, their role begins with assuring anyone who reaches out for support that they will be welcomed and never judged.<\/p>\n

\u2018No-one has everything in their life all together. Helping one another along the journey, that\u2019s part of being human.\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

*While quotes are attributed to Melanie Evans to make the article easier to read, they are based upon a group interview with the wider Financial Hub team, which also includes Lisa A, Michael C, Rose M, Darren N, and Christine C.<\/small><\/p>\n<\/div> <\/div>\n \n \n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Continue Reading<\/a>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1867","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nSeeing the whole person: YFS\u2019 Financial Hub - YFS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yfs.org.au\/sw\/articles\/seeing-the-whole-person-yfs-financial-hub\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Seeing the whole person: YFS\u2019 Financial Hub - 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