Y spread Christmas joy

SEVEN years ago, then nineteen-year-old Jessy Malham was determined to see as many disadvantaged young people as possible experience the joy of receiving gifts at Christmas time.

She gained the attention of the Y Ballarat, and the Bags of Joy campaign was born.

Youth and community impact manager at the Y, Larelle Kuczer said she was inspired by Ms Malham’s ambition and blown away by the generosity of the Ballarat community.

“Jessy identified that a lot of young people locally weren’t as lucky as she is at Christmas time and she wanted to give back,” Ms Kuczer said. “She originally felt she had a responsibility to do something as a young person who is well supported.

“The Y’s values are caring, respect, honesty and responsibility, and Bags of Joy really aligns to all of those values.

“It was incredible the amount of people who heard about it on social media and wanted to help.”

Gifts such as fitness equipment, personal hygiene products, books and stationery have all been previously donated and given to people who have registered themselves or have been registered by other community organisations.

Last year, the program saw 175 bags distributed to people aged 18 and under, and this year the focus is 12 to 25 year olds doing it tough.

Ms Kuczer said working closely with other welfare agencies across Ballarat ensures all young people have access to support year-round.

“When we did research across the community organisations, a lot of them were providing services for 0 to 12 but there wasn’t a lot for young people 12 plus,” she said.

“We didn’t want to double up, we just wanted to value-add to the amazing work that local welfare agencies are doing.”

Due to COVID-19 the Y is encouraging tax-deductible cash donations for a second year, however physical donations to the Y’s office in Barkly Square are still welcome.

Once donations close on Friday, 19 November, the team of youth workers at the Y will arrange the Bags of Joy and help deliver them in time for Christmas.

For more information head to yballarat.org.au/bags-of-joy.