Empowering Kempsey through Education & Culture
$270,000 distributed to three projects
Bendigo, October 2017: Three projects designed to improve opportunities for Kempsey’s young people will share in $270,000, after receiving grants from the Empowering Kempsey through Education and Culture Organisation program.
Many young people (12-18 years) living in the South and West Kempsey communities are vulnerable. Amongst other risks, they are at significant risk of poor school attendance or leaving school early which can lead to low self-esteem, depression, disengagement, anti-social behaviour/s and long-term unemployment.
The Kempsey Education and Culture Organisation program, a partnership between the NSW Department of Family & Community Services (FACS) and the Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR), was created to support innovative and community-led responses to issues identified in Kempsey.
Natalie Egleton, CEO of FRRR, says the projects receiving grants have all been developed by local organisations with the local communities - addressing the need for young people to remain at school for improved educational outcomes, at the same time as providing a safer environment to live in.
“Local people are best placed to address their specific community issues. The projects supported all have strong partnerships and will establish new infrastructure and educational opportunities for children and young people and, importantly, long-term sustainability is embedded in the plans.”
“By looking at the whole picture and thinking outside the box, some relatively simple solutions can help address some complex issues for the benefit both current and future generations.
“For example, increasing the usage of existing but under-utilised community facilities is enabling a new pilot program to launch without the need to invest in new infrastructure. Expanding classroom space for a young mothers’ program will help students to remain engaged in education, while their children are cared for in the adjacent building,” said Ms Egleton.
The Macleay Valley Workplace Learning Inc. Centre, which is widely respected and trusted within the community, will be the lead organisation in Kempsey and will manage the funds for each of these three projects. Details of the projects receiving funding are below:
|
Project Summary |
Grant |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Macleay Valley Workplace Learning Centre |
Cultural Identity and Social Inclusion Project Improving educational and life outcomes for Aboriginal children in Kempsey through the establishment of an early intervention cultural education program in schools and on country. |
$70,000 |
|
Macleay Valley Workplace Learning Centre |
Ginda Barri Early Learning Centre Classrooms Improving education engagement and health and wellbeing outcomes of young mothers at the Ginda Barri Early Learning Centre through the refurbishment and fit-out of a demountable classroom. |
$100,000 |
|
Macleay Valley Workplace Learning Centre |
Kempsey Learning & Cultural Centre Project Supporting education re-engagement and participation of vulnerable and at-risk primary school aged children through establishing and piloting a new learning centre. |
$100,000 |
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