The Ballarat Foundation has distributed more than $80,000 to community organisations in Ballarat in a bid to break the cycle of disadvantage in the community.
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The funding has been presented to 17 recipients as part of the 2018 Community Impact Grants program.
Projects range from Aboriginal literacy to community gardens, spanning four key areas of school readiness, youth success, secure housing, and food security.
Ballarat Foundation chief executive Matt Jenkins said a smaller focus on specific areas could lead to greater change.
“We are able to change the dial more in those specific pillars. With a scattered approach we don’t always get to have the impact we would like,” he said.
“Some of these projects wouldn’t be able to exist without contribution from philanthropic organisations like ours. These grants are only possible through contributions made through workplace giving and the generosity of our sub fund holders.”
Some of these projects wouldn’t be able to exist without contribution from philanthropic organisations.
- Matt Jenkins, Ballarat Foundation
The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation received funding to run an early years literacy program for Aboriginal students in years one to three.
Poor literacy has been identified as the main reason for Aboriginal students not completing secondary education, with the average leaving age being 14.4 years.
Centacare received funding for an independent living and life skills program which will support people aged 16 to 21 living independently, transitioning to independent living or at risk of homelessness.
WRISC Family Violence Support will run a creative therapies group for children using the community impact grant.
It will provide art therapy to increase self-awareness and support children to be better equipped to deal with relationships and life issues.
The Ballarat Foundation’s vision is that every child will enter school ready to learn and with an opportunity to prosper, every young person will have the skills and opportunities to succeed in employment and every person, no matter their age or situation has the security of home and continuous access to safe and nutritious food.
FULL LIST OF COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS RECIPIENTS
- Aboriginal Literacy Foundation Inc for an Aboriginal Early Years Literacy Program
- Anglicare Victoria for the Ballarat Community Breakfast Program
- Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative for Aboriginal Youth Success Program
- Ballarat Community Garden Inc to upgrade hothouse and potting area
- Ballarat Permaculture Guild Inc for Retrosuburbia Bookclubs (focus on practical implementation of topics such as increasing home food production, retrofitting houses, adapting behaviour and co-operating with like-minded friends and neighbours)
- Ballarat Toy Library Inc for boost to school readiness resources
- Centacare Catholic Diocese of Ballarat for Independent Living and Life Skills Program
- Child and Family Services Ballarat Inc for Mixing Bowl, a cooking program for teens
- Eureka Community Kindergarten Association Inc. for fidelity club kindergarten playground rejuvenation
- Hilltop Church for Phoenix College Breakfast Club
- Pinarc Disability Support for the Bonshaw sustainable food garden
- SalvoConnect Western for LARF Mentoring Program
- Seventh-Day Adventist Church for the Good Samaritan Centre of Influence
- Salvation Army Ballarat Community Church for the School Lunch Program
- Uniting Ballarat for BreezeWay Meals Program
- Uniting Ballarat for Meals for Change
- WRISC Family Violence Support for creative therapies groups for children