THIS year will see one thousand back to school vouchers given to vulnerable children and families in the region.<\/p>\n
The vouchers come via a program run by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, or FRRR, assisted at a local level by the Ballarat Foundation.<\/p>\n
In 2024 the two organisations will seek to help children from 28 primary schools in and around Ballarat.<\/p>\n
A partnership between Cafs and UFS has allowed a further 300 vouchers to be distributed this year directly to Cafs clients.<\/p>\n
UFS donated $7500 to the cause and this amount was matched by the FRRR to provide funding for the extra vouchers.<\/p>\n
The remaining 700 will go to students and families who staff see would benefit from the vouchers.<\/p>\n
Nina Fitzsimons, community impact manager at the Ballarat Foundation, said the back to school vouchers was an important initiative that allowed children to be school ready.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat we\u2019ve found is that, particularly in low socioeconomic areas, families at the moment when there\u2019s a cost-of-living crisis, they have other priorities such as paying rent and bills,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey often don\u2019t have additional funds to be able to buy new school shoes or the equipment that they need to that they can go to school and feel confident.\u201d<\/p>\n
The vouchers can be used at Target or Kmart to buy school shoes, uniforms, stationary, or items for sports or camps.<\/p>\n
As well as these $50 vouchers, technology vouchers valued at $100 are also available to help families purchase headphones, computer mice, cables, and chargers.<\/p>\n
Assistant principal of Yuille Park Community College, Daniel O\u2019Kelly, said he has seen firsthand the positive impact of the vouchers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had vouchers last year from Athletes Foot in conjunction with Ballarat Foundation and we\u2019ve had kids come back the following year with the same set of shoes saying \u2018thank you very much\u2019,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey don\u2019t have holes in their shoes, and they feel part of the rest of the community.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout this, our kids haven\u2019t got that start to school which they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THIS year will see one thousand back to school vouchers given to vulnerable children and families in the region. The vouchers come via a program run by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, or FRRR, assisted at a local level by the Ballarat Foundation. In 2024 the two organisations will seek to help children […]<\/p>\n