Charitable support for local youth programs

A STAFFING boost for a First Nations business, an arts-led learning program and a musical inequality project are among the recipients of a recent round of philanthropic Geelong funding.

Give Where You Life Foundation (GWYLF) has provided $445,000 to 15 organisations and projects across the region as part of its 2022 Education and Employment Annual Grants Program, which supports students and employment opportunities in the community.

Aboriginal business support network Ngarrimili received the maximum allocation of $40,000 to support employment of staff for its under-construction Murran Hub in the Geelong CBD, which will incorporate retail opportunities, a gallery, café and co-working space.

Somebody’s Daughter Theatre Company won $35,000 for its Nobody’s Fool Theatre project in partnership with Newcomb Secondary College, which is aimed at disengaged students and provides individual education pathways found through creative outcomes.

Newcomb school students also will benefit from the $35,000 going to The Song Room project at Newcomb Primary School, which would go towards a program addressing educational, social and wellbeing inequalities and to transform the school’s community culture.

Other grant recipients from the program included:

• Uniting Vic Tas, $10,000
• EdConnect Australia, $40,000
• Operation Newstart Victoria $30,000
• Bluebird Foundation, $40,000
• The Smith Family, $17,628
• Common Ground Project, $29,783
• Back to Back Theatre, $30,000
• Social Enterprise Group, $39,520
• Rosewall Community Centre, $10,000
• Geelong Regional Library Corporation, $13,200
• CatholicCare Victoria, $40,000, and
• MacKillop Family Services, $35,000.

GWYLF CEO Bill Mithen said the grants were part of the local charity’s strategy to create a fairer G21 community.

“Having a good education and quality employment, are important factors in supporting people to be successful and thrive. Unfortunately, there are still many people in our community who either don’t have access or have barriers to participation in education and employment.

“This is why, our Education and Employment grants focus on improving educational outcomes across all ages and helping people to achieve meaningful long-term employment.

“This year’s grants highlighted the continued impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on our community. ”

Mr Mithen said the grants would help about 2,000 young people across the community and assist about 1000 parents to support their child’s learning.