- Creating Opportunities and Connecting Community – Ensuring Accessibility and Inclusion through Community-based Children’s Programs.
Organisation: The Settlement Neighbourhood Centre in inner Sydney
Project: School holiday programs
This project funded school holiday programs for children from families that would otherwise be unable to access the program. Thirty-eight children took part in the July School Holiday Program and 42 children in the September/October program. Children enjoyed excursions to Taronga Zoo, the Sydney Sea Life Aquarium, the cinema, a bushwalk and workshop at Berry Island with Koori Kinnections. They kept active with excursions to the local swimming pools, tennis courts and parks. The children loved the activities and the opportunity to connect with their peers, with many children coming to the programs with their siblings and cousins.
- Young Carer Tutoring Program
Organisation: Little Dreamers
Project: Young Carers Program
Little Dreamers provides young carers with extra support to help keep them engaged in their studies, reduce isolation, improve self-esteem and strengthen mental health. The program provides the opportunity for mentorship with trained volunteer mentors. In 2021, 14 young carers were matched with 14 mentors, positively impacting on their studies and personal circumstances. The project was funded again this year, and already 40 young people have registered for extra support, starting in Term 1, 2023.
- Ready for School program
Organisation: Asylum Seekers Centre
Project: Ready for School program
The Ready for School program is helping pre-school age children to prepare for the transition to school. Since July 2022, four children were supported to attend day care for two days a week. Another 13 children benefitted through partnerships with service providers.
The program enables children to socially engage with other children and to attend early childhood education programs preparing them for school. Additionally, parents are able to find employment or attend work readiness programs on the days that children attend childcare or preschool.
