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Charitable Foundation hands out $930,000 to local charities

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Fifteen NSW-based charities, including nine from the Newcastle and Hunter region, were awarded $930,000 worth of funding grants for life-changing projects at the 2021 Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation (NPCF) grant ceremony.

A big crowd, consisting of many representatives from the recipient organisations, along with special guests and NPCF board members, converged on the Merewether Surf Club on Thursday 27 May to acknowledge numerous community-minded groups – and their whole-hearted efforts to assist others.

NBN News presenter Natasha Beyersdorf emceed the event, welcoming the chance to congratulate the beneficiaries in person.

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation chair Jennifer Leslie said she was proud of their history of “giving back”.

“These grants will enable projects and initiatives that directly address disadvantage, marginalisation or isolation for people, from much-needed health projects, initiatives that aid vulnerable young people, to programs that build resilient and connected communities in Newcastle and the Hunter,” she explained.

“To date, the Charitable Foundation has now funded more than 500 projects and, as of today, has given in excess of $23.5m to charities and not-for-profits.

“This funding has helped to rewrite the future of so many our local community, enabling us to work together with our charity partners in all corners of the state to solve problems, lend helping hands, secure improvements, ensure security, offer hope and give support to those in need.”

Those to benefit include:

  • $125,000 for PCYCs ground-breaking new youth mental health pilot program, GRIT;
  • $64,000 for the Northern Wheelchair Basketball program expansion;
  • $55,000 to fund 700 sessions of youth counselling in Port Stephens, delivered by Caring for our Port Stephens Youth (COPSY);
  • $124,000 for the Nicholas Butters Trust for the Building Beautiful Memories NICU palliative care room at John Hunter Hospital;
  • $60,000 for the Mirabel Foundation’s therapeutic intervention for young people recovering from crisis initiative;
  • $32,000 for Friends with Dignity’s Sanctuary Program, delivering domestic violence refuge and crisis support;
  • $78,000 for Centre for Hope (Hope on the Streets) pop up COVIDSafe Outreach program being delivered at Rutherford, Toronto, Gateshead and Wallsend;
  • $90,000 for CanTeen to establish the region’s first Cancer Hub in Newcastle; and
  • $70,000 for Atwea to purchase seven mobile science labs and related consumables for 7 Alesco Senior College campuses operating across the Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Hunter, Port Stephens and Mid-North Coast areas.

“These projects have been recognised and funded by the Charitable Foundation because we know that they will make a tangible difference in the lives of people in need of these services and support in the Newcastle and Hunter region,” Ms Leslie said.

“It is truly inspiring to see their impacts – and how our charity partners deliver improving health, youth and social outcomes.

“The initiatives our grants support really connect and enable individuals within local communities and provide opportunity where, in many cases, it otherwise would not be available.

“The projects that received this funding [today] will kick off in coming months and are all scheduled to be completed within two years, allowing the community to reap the benefits of these initiatives and services as soon as possible.”

Centre for Hope CEO Geraldine Moran stated the Charitable Foundation’s support would allow outreach to young people, particularly across the Tomaree and Rutherford areas.

“During COVID-19, we were unable to go to schools and suddenly more than 300 youngsters went without our support,” she explained.

“This funding allows us to extend our reach to places where there is a need, to support to young people who live in amazing places but feel they don’t belong.”

CanTeen plans to spend its funds on reimagining its Kotara premises into Newcastle’s first Cancer Hub, a one-stop shop for families and individuals to access information and services from various cancer support organisations in one location.

“By bringing cancer organisations together, there are proven benefits of co-location from cost-savings to collaboration opportunities,” state manager Angie Elder said.

“This grant will enable cancer services in Newcastle to collaborate in a way that we haven’t before, ensuring families impacted by cancer have access to an easier pathway of support.”

The $32,000 grant will assist Friends with Dignity to grow the charity and provide more immediate support to the region’s victims of domestic violence.

“We are fully dependent on funding like this one and donations,” CEO Manuela Whitford said.

“This will permit us to provide a sanctuary for victims more quickly and provide them with items they need to transition from crisis accommodation to a new permanent home.”

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