Innovative solutions to challenging problems in nine NSW LGAs

Bendigo, 27 September, 2017: Thirteen community organisations across NSW will share of more than $236,000 in grants to support locally-led initiatives addressing pressing social issues, through FRRR’s Innovation for Community Impact (I4CI) program.

The groups have received grants up to $20,000 to support innovative responses to issues including domestic and family violence; educational disengagement; juvenile crime; and youth unemployment across the Hunter, Central Coast and Mid North Coast regions of NSW.

The program is convened and managed by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), with support from Philanthropy Australia, and involves the NSW government Department of Family and Community Services (FACS), the philanthropic sector and local community groups all working together.

RYSS I4CI Grant Recipient

The philanthropic partners in this program include the Snow Foundation, nib foundation, Flannery Foundation, Katz Family Foundation, Myer Family Company, Doc Ross Foundation, Vincent Fairfax Family Foundation, Sally Foundation, Greater Charitable Foundation and CAGES Foundation.

Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, says this is a unique approach to tackling some very tough issues, with FACS providing half the funding, the balance coming from several philanthropic donors, and the solutions being developed and implemented by community groups.

“Local leaders are best placed to know what solutions will work best in their communities, but sometimes they just need a little help. In this case, FRRR and our donor partners have provided not only funding but also brought our skills and networks to help communities.

“Sharing ideas about how to solve problems has yielded another innovative array of solutions. Each project addresses real local challenges in a way that will result in tangible and sustainable change for the community,” said Ms Egleton.

Some of the great projects include:

  • Regional Youth Support Services Inc. The initiative seeks to address youth disengagement by connecting 64 at-risk and Aboriginal youth to community, culture and education, leading to participants recognising their potential and the opportunities available to them.
  • Celebrating Youth in Control of Legal Education, Australia's Magna Carta Institute Inc.. This is an early-intervention education program for youth at risk, designed to improve awareness and strengthen relationships with the justice system through the delivery of a legal education program for 1,500 secondary students in Newcastle and Maitland.
  • Cultural Program, Role Models and Leaders Australia – This project will deliver a cultural program to support the Girls Academy program, which aims to increase academic and personal achievement for Indigenous girls at Kempsey and Melville High Schools. The full list of grant recipients in this third and final round of grants can be found below.

The full list of grant recipients in this third and final round of grants can be found below.

Past projects include the Bright Minds program, where young people helped other young people address mental health challenges, and the Moving Forward program, which involved local mentors helping women affected by family violence to get back on their feet.

 

Organisation

Project

Location and LGA

Grant

Gosford Regional Community Services

 

PALS Program:
Enable boys to make more informed social decisions, through the delivery of a collaborative social wellbeing program to Year 5 & 6 boys at Wyoming Public School

Narara Valley Basin

 

Central Coast Council

$19,224

Laura's Place Family Support Ltd

 

Tears No More - Bereavement Group for Teens:
Reduce negative outcomes that result from experiencing trauma through the delivery of a 20 week bereavement group for teenagers

Wamberal

 

Central Coast Council

$17,600

North Entrance Surf Life Saving Club

 

Stepping Up! Connecting Disadvantaged Youth to the Community through Provision of Employment Pathways:
Connect up to 24 youth at the Frank Baxter Juvenile Justice Centre with pathways to positive workforce outcomes through a volunteer work experience program and the attainment of their Bronze Medallion

The Entrance North

 

Central Coast Council

$10,470

Regional Youth Support Services Inc

 

Actively Addressing Disengagement within the Central Coast's Youth Community:
Connect 64 at-risk and aboriginal youth to community, culture and education, through the running of four TIMEOUT programs on the Central Coast

Gosford and Wyong

 

Central Coast Council

$19,000

Gunawirra Ltd

 

Gunawirra Preschool Child Family and Community Art and Culture Project:
Support emotional healing and treating trauma through the delivery of a cultural awareness art program for children, their educators and families at Dalaigur and Scribbly Gum preschools.

Kempsey

 

Kempsey Shire Council

$17,000

Nambucca Heads High School

 

Shaping our own future in Nambucca Heads:
Improve engagement in education and preparedness for work and further training in youth through the delivery of a community arts and skills development project in conjunction with local business

Nambucca Heads

 

Nambucca Shire Council

$19,500

Role Models and Leaders Australia

 

Girls Academy Room:
Increasing academic and personal achievement for Indigenous girls at Kempsey and Melville High School through the delivery of a cultural program to complement the Girls Academy program.

Kempsey

 

Kempsey Shire Council

$15,000

The Malpa Institute

 

Kempsey Young Doctors Program Expansion:
Promote improved lifelong health outcomes for students at four Kempsey schools and their families through the continuation of The Malpa Project to Grade 3 and 4 students

Kempsey

 

Kempsey Shire Council

$20,000

The Northcott Society

 

Bowraville Community Supported Playgroup:
Build parent capacity and optimise children’s development through the provision of a play-based program for Indigenous children with undiagnosed disabilities or development delays and their parents and carers.

Bowraville

 

Nambucca Shire Council

$19,883

Australia's Magna Carta Institute Inc

 

Celebrating Youth in Control of Legal Education – CYCLE:
Provide increased knowledge and trust of the legal system and its processes through the delivery of a legal education program for 1,500 secondary students across Newcastle and Maitland.

Newcastle & Maitland

 

Newcastle Shire & Maitland City Councils

$18,920

Community Activities Lake Macquarie Inc

 

Finding Eagles - Building strength and hope:
Advance healing in children after trauma by delivering a seven-week school-based program.

Toronto

 

Lake Macquarie City Council

$20,000

Dress For Success Sydney Inc

 

Dress for Success - Outreach Program:
Increase self-confidence for women seeking employment through the establishment of an outlet for free professional clothing for court appearances, volunteering and job interviews.

Newcastle & Maitland

 

Newcastle Shire & Maitland City Councils

$20,000

Jenny's Place Inc

 

Healthy Relationships, Positive Communities:
Decrease the rate of domestic violence in Newcastle by providing a training package to businesses, groups and educational institutions.

Newcastle

 

Newcastle Shire Council

$19,500

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