Who we are
About Carrington Cottages
Carrington Cottages specialises in providing transitional housing for men, women, couples, and pets experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Our primary objective is to offer temporary housing relief as a stepping stone towards achieving long-term affordable housing.
We focus on creating a supportive community environment that fosters growth, stability, and success for our tenants as they work toward the life they envision.
Our Mission
We offer our tenants and their pets a safe and supportive transitional environment where they can successfully seek affordable long-term housing and build the life they deserve.
Our History
Founded in 1986 by the Sisters of Mercy, Carrington Cottages began its journey with two heritage-listed terrace houses owned by the South Australian Housing Trust, providing 59 rooms for men requiring long term boarding house accommodation.
Sr. Betty Schonfeldt OAM served as our first Administrator, dedicating 25 years to the organisation before her retirement in 2014. Sr. Judith Redden RSM AO, who has been with Carrington Cottages for over 30 years, currently serves as the Deputy Chair of our Board.
In 2019, we became a Community Housing Provider, enabling us to participate in Australia’s pioneering transitional accommodation model that accommodates men, women, couples, and pets under one roof. Our successful bid led to the opening of “The Waymouth,” a state-owned building with 17 rooms, in October 2019.
Carrington Cottages further embraced this change from a long-term boarding house to transitional housing across all buildings. This has increased our capacity to assist the homeless of South Australia whilst honouring our commitment to long-term tenants.
Encouraged by the positive outcomes of becoming a Community Housing Provider, we sought to expand our capacity to further help the ever-growing demand of individuals in need. In July 2022, we acquired Jordan Place, an ex-backpacker’s lodge, thanks to a generous donation from a private benefactor and support from the State Government. With the addition of Jordan Place, our capacity now stands at 102 rooms.
A dedicated group focused on the journey home
Carrington Cottages Ltd. Leadership Team
Karen Aistrope
CEO
Karen Aistrope is dedicated to leading the pathway from “At Risk to The Journey Home.” With extensive experience in both the not-for-profit and corporate sectors, she brings a wealth of expertise in strategic development, operational delivery, and fostering collaborative partnerships. Karen has successfully championed pilot programs that address unmet needs, including Homeless to Home, Pets to Home, Prisoner Release, and Veteran initiatives.
Driven by a genuine desire to respond holistically to the needs of vulnerable populations, Karen possesses deep insights into the multifaceted factors contributing to social disadvantage. Her strategic vision and operational acumen are essential for driving program growth and achieving ambitious goals. By effectively addressing risks such as program disengagement and financial instability, she ensures that Carrington Cottages provides comprehensive solutions that tackle the root causes of social disadvantage. Karen’s leadership and commitment to community impact are pivotal in steering the organisation toward long-term success.
Mark Frankcom
Operations Manager
Mark Frankcom brings over 18 years’ experience with the South Australia Police (SAPOL) achieving the rank of Sargeant. to his role as Operations Manager at Carrington Cottages. His extensive background in community engagement, risk identification, and resource facilitation provides him with a unique perspective on addressing complex social issues. Mark’s leadership skills are evident in his experience managing diverse teams, making him adept at coordinating operations effectively.
Leveraging his expertise in risk assessment and prevention, Mark actively mitigates potential program risks, enhances partnerships, and optimises support services. He has played a pivotal role in developing the Prisoner Release Program, transforming it into a comprehensive initiative now known as Prisoners to Home. Mark’s strategic problem-solving approach is instrumental in advancing the program’s goals and ensuring its overall success.
Jill Kaye
Housing Manager
Jill Kaye brings several decades of dedicated experience in the homelessness sector to her role as Housing Manager at Carrington Cottages. Her extensive background includes positions as a Private Liaison Officer, Access Worker, and Case Manager, providing her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness. Jill’s commitment to training volunteers to support newly housed individuals highlights her focus on tenancy sustainability and successful housing transitions.
Her hands-on experience in case management and risk assessment enables her to develop tailored strategies that address the unique needs of each tenant. Jill’s dedication to empowering individuals and promoting long-term housing success is vital in achieving the programs objectives and ensuring tenant well-being.
Gareth Sharp
Facilities Manager
Gareth Sharp serves as the Facilities Manager at Carrington Cottages, where he oversees all buildings and ensures that facilities meet the needs of both tenants and staff. His unique perspective as a former tenant enriches his role, allowing him to connect authentically with current residents and understand their challenges on a personal level. Gareth’s lived experience of transitioning to stable housing serves as both inspiration and motivation for individuals navigating similar paths, providing invaluable support as they embark on their housing journeys.
His commitment to fostering a supportive environment is essential in helping tenants thrive. By leveraging his insights and firsthand knowledge, Gareth plays a vital role in creating a welcoming and nurturing atmosphere at Carrington Cottages, ensuring that all residents feel valued and supported.
Leanne Crisp
Payroll / Finance Manager
As the Accountant at Carrington Cottages, Leanne Crisp brings extensive expertise in financial management tailored to the non-profit sector. Her deep understanding of financial systems and data analytics empowers the organisation to optimise operations and achieve impactful results. Passionate about enhancing efficiency, Leanne focuses on innovative solutions and business process automation that streamline workflows and reduce costs, ensuring financial accuracy while providing critical insights for informed decision-making.
Leanne’s meticulous attention to detail and strategic mindset foster a culture of transparency and accountability within the organisation. Her commitment to operational excellence significantly advances Carrington Cottages’ mission, making her an invaluable asset to our team driving financial integrity and operational success.
Carrington Cottages Ltd. Board
Michael Pittolo
Chair
Michael is an Engineering and Operations Manager with over 35 years’ experience. For many years, Michael worked as Head Global Mass Production at Carl Zeiss Vision and brings a robust skill set including Cross-functional Team Leadership, Business Strategy, Medical Devices, Product Management, Product Development and Product Launch. Michael also holds a doctorate in Industrial Chemistry (1978 – 1984 University of NSW).
Sr. Judith Redden
Deputy Chairperson
Sister Judith is a Sister of Mercy and has spent a large part of her adult life working as a school principal in Adelaide, most significantly for thirty years at St Aloysius College in the city. Judith has completed studies at Flinders University and London University. She has also held positions on the Commonwealth Schools Commission and the SA Youth Arts Board. She is also one of many Sisters of Mercy who has been an active supporter of Carrington Cottages over the past twenty-five years.
Michael Cole
Treasurer
Michael is an accountant with over 35 years’ experience working with a diverse range of businesses within various industries. His roles have ranged from Management Accountant to Chief Financial Officer.
In the second half of his career, Michael owned a consulting business that ultimately specialised in providing a range of accounting and payroll services to non-Government Schools in both Adelaide and the Eastern seaboard.
Catherine Alcock
Board Member
Catherine has been a long term educator, serving as a Principal of both Government & Catholic schools in Adelaide and in Sydney. She has also been involved in international education through the International Baccalaureate and the Council of International Schools. Catherine is concerned with issues of social justice, especially in enabling people in most need to be supported in accessing resources and services. She is also currently a volunteer at the Mercy House of Welcome, especially assisting refugees in acquiring English language skills.
Leon Cholsh
Board Member
Leon is an experienced Lawyer, Chartered Company Secretary and Contract Manager who is practising as a Senior Legal Counsel with Australian Naval Infrastructure Pty Ltd and practised as an in-house corporate counsel for over 12 years. and prior to that with some of Adelaide’s leading corporate, commercial and property law firms.
He has advised a wide range of legal, business, operational, regulatory and transactional matters, including risk management and compliance, regulatory and dispute resolution management, strategy and policy.
Leon is a Member of the Association of Corporate Counsel, previous Director of the Australian Corporate Lawyers Association Ltd and Member of the Law Society of SA.”.
Steve Ludlam
Board Member
Steve Ludlam is a qualified engineer who has worked in Europe and Australia. Most recently he was MD and CEO of ASC Pty Ltd, the Adelaide based naval ship and submarine building company. He led the State Government’s response to the General Motors (Holden) closure and the Northern Economic Plan. Both activities were aimed at creating jobs, keeping people in work and especially ensuring their health and well-being. He brings commercial, project management and risk management experience.
Penny Davis
Board Member
Penny was previously employed in Adelaide as a social worker with the Department of Correctional Services where she worked as a probation and parole officer. She then worked in
London as a social worker for Westminster Social Services. After returning to Adelaide she spent
many years raising her family before undertaking a Law Degree at Adelaide University. Since graduating in 2005 she has been employed as a barrister and solicitor in the Criminal Law Division of the Legal Services Commission South Australia. Penny has a long standing commitment to social justice.
Chanel Stevens
Board Member
Chanel is a Marketing and Design Manager with over eight years’ experience across the health, education, defence, and professional services sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Communications from the University of South Australia and specialises in creating strategic, purpose-driven communications.
Chanel has an innate commitment to helping others and believes in the power of collaboration and creativity to build stronger communities. She is passionate about contributing to organisations that drive positive change and brings a hands-on, people-focused approach to all her work.