Thursday, 9 May 2024
An education program on tech-facilitated domestic violence, a sports program targeting refugee wellbeing, and an aeromedical retrieval service are just some of the recipients in Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s latest grant round.
A total of 10 projects will share in $663,000 of funding, bringing the total amount invested in regional NSW to more than $27 million since 2003.
The latest funding recipients represent a diverse range of projects that address community disadvantage in various forms.
- The Hunter Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Consortium: $61,000 to upskill frontline workers in the field of domestic and family violence perpetrated through technology.
- NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors: $20,000 to extend its existing sports and wellbeing program to Hunter-based Afghan and Syrian refugees.
- The Warrior Woman Foundation: $150,000 to bring its flagship program, The Young Warrior Woman Program, to the Hunter region supporting vulnerable young women as they transition to adulthood through a focus on financial independence and safe, healthy relationships.
- CareFlight: $35,000 to purchase a new aviation tow motor which will improve service and safety and reduce costs for the aeromedical retrieval service at Newcastle Airport.
- KIDS Foundation: $50,000 to launch the SeeMore Kindness program in the Hunter and Northern NSW, teaching children aged between four and six positive behaviours and how to be kind to themselves and each other.
- Warm Blankets for Everyone: $20,000 to produce handmade blankets for partner organisations who assist people experiencing poverty or homelessness across the Hunter and Central Coast.
- HealthWISE: $70,000 to pilot Aboriginal Health Workers in New England region pharmacies to provide culturally safe care and improve health outcomes for First Nations peoples.
- Shedding Community Workshop Inc: $81,000 for the Northern Rivers not-for-profit to build capacity as they continue to deliver practical skills and wellbeing workshops in a trauma-informed setting.
- Orana Support Service: $86,000 to purchase a Pantech truck, allowing the Central West specialist homeless service to assist more people moving into stable accommodation.
- Musicians Making a Difference: $90,000 to deliver an innovative music program to young people on the Central Coast who are at-risk or have already disengaged from education and employment.
Hunter DFV Consortium Regional Collaborations Coordinator Lisa Ronneberg said that having frontline workers upskilled in tech-facilitated abuse was vital.
“Technology is evolving so fast and gives perpetrators of domestic and family violence even more ways to intimidate, harass, and control victim-survivors even after they have fled their abuse,” Lisa said.
“It is not just critical that frontline workers are equipped to help those who are experiencing tech-facilitated abuse, it could be life saving.”
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Executive Officer Carly Bush said that the selected projects all demonstrated the ability to make a tangible difference to the people they help.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with these not-for-profits to see their projects come to life,” Ms Carly said.
“In their own unique way they are all making a difference to the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in our community, and it is our honour to be able to assist.
“Each day these organisations go out and create real impact in the communities they serve, changing lives for the better.”