THE dreams of Ballarat’s young mums are a step closer to coming true following an outpouring of generosity from two of the city’s leading businesses.
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Earlier this month, the Community Bank in Buninyong announced it was throwing its support behind the highly successful Link Up Young Parents program run by Ballarat Secondary College by providing a $15,0000 over five years. Ballarat Group Training also announced it would donate more $15,000 bringing the total funding to almost $40,000.
Young Parents Program co-ordinator Peter Innes said the boost would assist the young mums to undertake anything from first-aid, barista training to safe food handling courses.
“They’ll also be able to do elements of business or administration training which will run parallel with their VCAL stuides,” Cr Innes said.
The awarding winning parents education program has been running for nine years. It strives to support young parents to get back into education and the workforce by giving them access to the skills they need to reach their dreams.
He said the generosity had touched the hearts of the parents. “It’s helped the girls realise there are so many other people out there in the community that believe in them and what they can achieve,” Cr Innes said. “They’re realising that they do have heaps of abilities and that they are employable.”
Young mum Ashlina Wallace, 18 said the funding will allow her to get back on her feet and secure job she had always hoped for.
“It’s such exciting news and we are thrilled about it,” Ms Wallace said. “I’m really interested in doing a course to further help my skills to get a job as receptionist or to work in the business industry in someway and the funding will hopefully make it possible for me to reach that goal.”
Chairman of the Buninyong and District Financial Services Steve Falconer said the bank branch was thrilled to be helping the young mums reach their dreams.All the training will be provided by Ballarat Group Training.
Cr Innes said the program’s second major project will be establishing a nutrition, diet, healthy living and exercise program for the young parents later this year.
Cr Innes is now on the search for a major supermarket in the city to get involved in the program.
“We are hoping to secure a supermarket to match any dollars we can broker over the next two to three months,” Cr Innes said.
For more information or to get involved contact Cr Innes on 0407 539 683