The funding will support United Way Ballarat's Imagination Library program and will target those most at risk of getting to school without the skills they need to learn.

Chief executive officer of United Way Ballarat, Geoff Sharp said he was thrilled to be able to announce this new funding stream.

"The Ballarat Imagination Library is a long term project of United Way Ballarat that relies on funding from the community to achieve long term results of improved literacy levels in our region,” he said.

“Thanks to the generosity of local residents and businesses, many Ballarat children are currently receiving an age appropriate book delivered to their home every month until they turn five.

“With this funding, our waiting list will be almost halved and we can now be confident that 223 more children will enter school in five years’ time with a love for books, an understanding of reading, and the ability to learn."

The funding coincides with the graduation of participants in United Way’s 2015 Ballarat Advocacy Program.

Five local employees have spent the last five months gaining a better understanding of the issues the community faces, finding out about some of the hidden problems of Ballarat.

All have graduated as ‘Ballarat Advocates' and are now in a position to make a difference, helping to spread the word about the work of United Way Ballarat and the programs it supports.

During the graduation ceremony, Bianca Kosir from Australian Catholic University Ballarat summed up her Advocate experience and what she learned on her journey.

“I’ve always known about the issues our community deals with day-to-day, but to actually see it face-to-face was equally disturbing and inspiring,” she said.

“At first I was shocked. I’ve always known Ballarat to be a beautiful place on the outside, yet I was seeing so much damage on the inside.

“Then I felt sorrow and continued to ask myself the same questions – ‘How does this happen? Why are there so many people suffering and in this position?’

“I’ve never been more grateful of the life I live, as I have realised how much I have taken it for granted seeing so many vulnerable people in the Ballarat community. And then finally, I felt the need to help.

“What can I do that will make a difference, that will make a better tomorrow, that will inspire others to want to help and make a difference?

“Being a part of the Ballarat Advocacy Program has shown me so many organisations and programs that are already making a difference in our community, but they need our help to grow.

“Whether that be donating money, volunteering time or speaking out to others, help is help and it’s all counting towards our future – Ballarat’s future.”