Give Geelong Appeal helping to create a fairer community

The Give Where You Live Foundation’s Give Geelong Appeal, from March 15-March 24, will help create a fairer community by assisting those who are experiencing homelessness, struggling to put food on the table and those facing long-term unemployment.

Give Where You Live Foundation chief executive officer Bill Mithen said in the face of the rising cost-of-living, now more than ever, the community needs help.

“As the cost-of-living continues to rise, we’re seeing that the need in our community is also increasing.

“While the wider Geelong region continues to report low levels of unemployment, there are some pockets where unemployment rates are as high as 20 per cent.

“Supporting the Give Geelong Appeal will support the Foundation’s work to create a fairer community for those that need it most.”

The difference your donation will make:

Ella’s story – a job is lifechanging and everyone deserves a chance.

The Give Where You Live Foundation’s GROW initiative brings together individuals, community organisations and businesses to address entrenched disadvantage through employment opportunities for people experiencing long-term unemployment.

Supported by GROW, Ella is now an apprentice, has broken barriers and forged a pathway through a Certificate II in Construction Management.

Ella, a Corio resident living with a disability, was a student at Nelson Park School when she was recruited into a pre-employment program with the help of GROW. In 2023, she started an apprenticeship at Hanlon Industries.

This lifechanging opportunity sees Ella thriving in the work environment and loving the chance to learn new skills.

“At school I found I liked hands on learning and doing practical things. So, it made sense to try and include that in my work. My new job means I can explore different pathways in engineering fabrication and I’m pretty excited about that,” Ella said.

“My future looks promising. I hope to continue working at Halon Industries when I finish my apprenticeship. Working here has helped me and it’s really good.”

As a GROW signatory and a Gold Partner of the Foundation, supporting local and providing opportunities for Geelong people has always been a big part of how Hanlon Industries does business.

To further help create a fairer community, Hanlon Industries is getting behind this year’s Give Geelong Appeal as a matched giving partner along with Auswide Plumbing & Civil.

During the appeal, thanks to the generous matched giving partners, every dollar donated will be doubled up to $15,000.

The Give Where You Live Foundation is a community foundation that exists to build a fairer, more equitable community across the G21 region.

The unique, place-based philanthropic community foundation works in partnership with the Geelong community to help all people and all places thrive, with a focus on priority areas of food security, homelessness and inclusive employment.

To make a donation or get involved in the appeal activities, head to givewhereyoulive.com.au