$17k funding boost welcomed
IN a welcome funding boost, five Jewish-run not-for-profit organisations in Sydney's east have received $17,000 worth of Woollahra Council community, cultural and environmental grants to support important services and projects.
IN a welcome funding boost, five Jewish-run not-for-profit organisations in Sydney’s east have received $17,000 worth of Woollahra Council community, cultural and environmental grants to support important services and projects.
Mayor Peter Cavanagh presented the grants at Woollahra Council chambers on July 16, which are part of a total pool of $107,000 being allocated to 43 community groups and charities in the local government area.
The largest of the grants to benefit Jewish community service providers is $7000 for COA Sydney, which is dedicated to enriching the lives of Jewish seniors.
It will be used to launch a new branch of an existing fortnightly bus outing service for seniors – this time catering specifically to clients who have significant mobility issues.
The Tuesday bus trips are an effective way to help tackle social isolation and increase independence by enabling seniors to enjoy having company and engaging with friends and the wider community while visiting beautiful spots in Sydney and enjoying fresh air and the great outdoors.
COA Sydney CEO Julia Golding said bus outings are already the most popular activity for clients, and the only program that has a permanent waiting list, “so we thought it would be excellent to start a second outings group for the less mobile”.
Golding said the catalyst for the original program came, as many do, from one of COA’s volunteers, Rachel Lazarov in 2002. Sixteen years later it is still going strong, but staff realised mobility constraints prevented many from participating.
“We approached Woollahra Council for financial assistance to get this new project off the ground,” Golding said, adding, “They understood its importance for the community.”
The Sherman Centre for Culture and Ideas received a $4000 grant to run its inaugural Architecture Hub program of films, panels, presentations and workshops in October.
A $3500 grant will help the NSW Friendship Circle to run its 2018 Friendship Walk on August 26, an annual family fun day in support and celebration of young people living with disability.
The Mum for Mum home-visiting service for pregnant women and mothers with newborns – under the umbrella of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia – will use its $1800 grant to support four mothers’ groups with high needs members, upskill its volunteers and train new ones.
And an $800 grant was awarded to Emanuel Woollahra Preschool for creating a vegetable garden.
For more information on the limited-mobility bus outing project please contact COA on (02) 9389 0035.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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