Victoria - Australia
SecondBite ensures thousands of men, women and children living in disadvantaged circumstances (or homeless) have better access to fresh, nutritious food that might otherwise go to waste. SecondBite collects food from markets, restaurants, food wholesalers, caterers, events and retailers, and distributes it to over 28 agencies in Victoria. This year SecondBite has collected and distributed 60 tonnes of surplus fresh food and 3250 litres of milk, which translates to over 200,000 meals!
"SecondBite's vision is to bridge the gap between surplus and need, and the Foster's Community Grant will contribute greatly to this goal by providing a designated employee to focus on recruiting and training our invaluable volunteers". Katy Barfield
Victoria - Australia
Whitelion provides community support, opportunities and positive relationships for young people involved in Victoria's youth justice and child protection systems. Whitelion joins Maya Living Free Healing Association and Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre in the 'Bundji Bundji' Partnership to empower Indigenous young people by providing culturally appropriate support and advocacy. Indigenous young people aged between 10 and 17 years are 16.6 times more likely to be in Juvenile detention than non-Indigenous Victorians. Bundji Bundji utilises an Indigenous Elder, Uncle Lester, who helps bring young people closer to their communities, culture and traditions.
"Whitelion gives disadvantaged young people the best chance to 'break the cycle', and the Foster's Community Grant helps us to do this by supporting new initiatives that are responsive to the needs of indigenous young people." Sarah Johnson, Whitelion
Victoria - Australia
Many migrants and refugees are not able to access sustainable living activities and services such as public transport, housing support and financial support due to linguistic, cultural and psychological barriers. Through its Multicultural Leaders in Sustainability project, EV will identify community needs and recruit, train and support young people in those communities to take sustainable living education and action to their own communities with a 'train the trainer approach'. This is one of the few sustainability projects that meaningfully targets migrant and refugee communities.
"The Foster's Community Grant helps us provide opportunities by training and supporting young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to design and deliver projects which help their communities live more sustainably". Charlie Davie, Project Mgr, EV
Victoria - Australia
Anglicare's Family Violence program in Melbourne's Eastern Metropolitan Region aims to reduce, or stop, violent behaviour by men towards their partners and children. There is a 75% reduction in reported incidences of violent behaviour by men who have completed the 'On Track' course. Because the 'On Track' component helps men stay on track through their lives, they become role models for their children, and their positive behavior gets passed on from one generation to the next.
"Anglicare Victoria continues to work with families in Melbourne's Eastern Ranges to stop violence, foster better communication and build more positive relationships". John Blewonski, Anglicare Victoria Deputy CEO
Victoria - Australia
WV's mandate is 'caring for Victoria's Wildlife'. A dedicated team of 500 volunteers comprising wildlife rescuers, foster carers, shelter operators, phone operators and trainers currently service 20,000 calls a year, all without any government funding. WV is recognised as being at the forefront of wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.
"The Fosters' Community Grant will help us save more injured wildlife by enabling facilitation of thorough research into telecommunication systems, upgrading current training and ensuring that our dedicated volunteers are well equipped".
New South Wales - Australia
Spectrum's groundbreaking 'Stepping Stones' program supports at risk youth by providing hands-on work experience programs in the landscaping industry, creating a pathway to accredited training and a career for young people with limited options. Spectrum's Community Services division also helps people who have difficulty moving forward because of addiction, long-term unemployment etc., by providing practical assistance, counselling, help with childcare, transport and healthcare. Spectrum is a not-for-profit organisation committed to fully supporting clients in their move away from welfare dependence.
"Many of the participants have limited support structures or direction once they leave school. We are now able to offer a structured program that is acting as the first step in their professional lives". Mark King, Spectrum CEO
New South Wales - Australia
In 2004, YOTS began the process of integrating Indigenous cultural programs by taking young people on field trips to Indigenous communities and offering Indigenous culture-based therapeutic camps with the help of Aboriginal Elders and volunteer parents. Three-times the number of Indigenous teenagers aged 15-19 are not fully engaged in work or education than that of non-Indigenous Australians, which demonstrates the need to provide creative and flexible approaches to re-engage these young people with learning.
"One of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty and to empower disadvantaged young people is to help them complete their education, and the Foster's Community Grant helps us meet the needs of our Aboriginal students".
Queensland - Australia
Mercy Disability Services provides a day support service for people with intellectual disabilities in Queensland, focusing on support for youth finishing special schools, and going on to find meaningful ,employment, training, recreational options and independent living skills. Building independence assists with sustainability of family support and reduces the need for formal respite. It also allows for a person with a disability to live more independently, which ultimately translates into a better quality of life.
"Foster's Community Grant will help us to get this project off the ground". Joanne Xerri, Mercy Disability Services
South Australia - Australia
Advancing Whyalla's South Australian Regional Community Leadership Program is a unique South Australian initiative focused on improving the skills of current and emerging leaders to manage economic growth and sustainability, develop human resources and form support networks. These new perspectives will broaden regional outlooks by providing opportunities for; developing leadership skills, building self-confidence, enhancing the sense of community spirit along the way.
"By linking the Upper Spencer Gulf cities, a major outcome will be a sense of co-operation and collaboration lending itself to improved regional sustainability". Russell Bambridge, Chair SARCLP
South Australia - Australia
Economic challenges including drought, the downturn in fruit prices and a recent devastating windstorm have cost Renmark and its surrounding community, millions of dollars. For some, the associated stress and anxiety has become all encompassing. The Centre has identified a need for support groups to assist vulnerable members of the community to maintain or help restore mental wellness. These support groups will help lower the suicide and self-harm rate. Participants can share concerns and issues in a safe environment and learn the tools needed to maintain or re-establish mental health and wellness practices.
"The benefits of providing a mental health and wellness service for groups at risk before stress results in mental illness will benefit the community as a whole". Cheryl Ingerson, Renmark Paringa
South Australia - Australia
Advance Kinsgcote's volunteers work to improve and promote Kingscote, the commercial centre of Kangaroo Island, for the benefit of the local community and visitors to the region. Advance Kingscote will construct a bird hide at Reeves Point, to observe the 49 different local birds, as part of a master plan to develop the whole Reeves Point Historic Site. In the current context of global warming, the bird hide will also raise awareness of the fragility of the ecosystem.
"Foster's Community Grant will enable Advance Kingscote to construct a bird hide, an integral part of our long-term goal to develop Reeves Point, site of the first non-indigenous settlement in South Australia." Kate Williams, Advance Kingscote
United States
Aldea Children's Art Therapy Calendar Program is just one of the US initiatives supported through Foster's Community Grants Program this year. Art therapy helps children who suffer from emotional problems and mental illness, express and work through issues. This can ultimately assist them to lead more fulfilling lives. Children can more effectively explore and express issues through art than with words alone, leading to more productive behaviour at home, school and the community. The children's artwork is reproduced in weekly engagement calendars and monthly wall calendars that are marketed locally and nationally, providing important validation for their expressive work.
"The success of Aldea's Children's Art Therapy Program is based on our belief in the resilience of children when they are given expressive opportunities in a supportive and sensitive environment." Al Friedman, Art Therapist MA, A.T.R.
St. Helena and Calistoga - United States
The Boys & Girls Clubs of St. Helena and Calistoga ASES program aims to create a seamless educational, social and recreational day for school children. A day in which the school day influences the after-school program, and what is learned from after-school practices enhances the school day. By collaborating with school partners, the Clubs and Schools can both advance the missions and move closer to our ultimate goal of helping every child learn and succeed.
"Foster's support will further ensure young people will have a safe, positive place to grow, learn and play." Jan Marsiglia, Grant Development Manager, Alliance Medical Center
The Twin Cities - United States
From the nation's first Club formed in 1860, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) has grown to become the country's oldest and largest organisation to benefit youth facing adverse situations. The Clubs' mission is to enable all young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Of the 16,462 Club members, the VEC expects to directly serve at least 240 - 360 youth per year through camp, and to indirectly serve approximately 4,000 youth per year.
"The Boys & Girls Clubs credits its success to our staff. Every Club has full-time, trained youth development professionals, providing positive role models and mentors." Erin Carlin, President/CEO
Napa Valley - United States
Cope Family Center builds enduring families through education, improved health, economic progress and enhanced relationships, with services delivered on-site and in client homes. Parents develop behaviors, skills and attitudes which enable them to provide healthy, safe and self-sufficient households, thereby creating positive developmental outcomes for their children. The ultimate goal is to reduce child abuse and neglect in the community, and to help families become stable, self-sufficient and nurturing.
"The secret to our success and longevity is that we honour and respect our families as we teach them to become self-reliant in all-encompassing way". Joelle Gallagher, Executive Director, Cope Family Centre
Washington DC - United States
According to The Center for Disease Control, the obesity rate has more than tripled in six to eleven year-olds over the past 30 years. Functional Fitness 4 Kids (FF4K's) provides a safe, fun and non-discriminating environment where children and adolescents throughout Washington DC can exercise, build relationships, gain nutritional information, and learn strategies to live an overall healthy lifestyle. With six, six-week sessions during the school year FF4K program will reach up to 720 students in 2007.
"We have seen significant improvements in academic achievement, increased self-esteem, and increased strength & endurance. Thanks to the Foster's Community Grant we can reach more children." Denise Moser, FF4K
Philadelphia - United States
Maternity Care Coalition (MCC) Cribs for Kids initiative supplies cribs to needy families in Philadelphia, where SIDS occurs at twice the national average. Cribs for Kids provide comprehensive education and training on SIDS risk reduction and safe sleep to all families receiving a crib. MCC has served more than 60,000 families through its MOMobile® programs and an additional 7,400 families through Cribs for Kids. MCC aims to ensure that all infants in Philadelphia have a safe place to sleep.
"Without the Cribs for Kids Program, mothers wouldn't have any place to safely put their babies to sleep or lay them down properly on their backs." Danyell Williams, Program Manager, Maternity Care Coalition
Northampton Community - United States
A growing body of evidence indicates that children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder show particular receptivity to music as a means of expression. The Northampton Community And Music Centre (NCMC) music therapy program works on increasing verbalisation, direct contact and appropriate social behavior with hour long weekly sessions. These classes repeat a ritual that the children have come to expect and love - the singing of a welcome and a goodbye song.
"As children become more comfortable making an emotional connection through making music, they begin to be able to express themselves in other more conventional and socially-acceptable ways." Jason Trotta, Northampton Community Music Center
Napa Valley - United States
The new playground at the Napa Valley Adult School enables parenting teens to leave their children in a safe, supervised place in order to earn their high school diplomas. Children who grow up with educated mothers are usually successful in their own educational pursuits. The playground also benefits the entire English language learning population at the adult school, who are dependent on safe and adequate childcare to pursue their goals of becoming effective citizens, workers and parents.
"I wish to thank Foster's for their help and support in assisting the teen families in the Napa Valley. Education is vital for the well being of our families, who in turn strengthen our communities". Karen Valentine, Napa Valley Adult School
California - United States
UCP Wheels for Humanity's mission is to provide increased self-sufficiency, mobility and education to people with disabilities throughout the world, without regard to political affiliation, religious belief, or ethnic identity. Along with their modest staff, over 600 volunteers collect and refurbish used wheelchairs and individually fit and deliver them to children and adults in developing nations. Since starting in a Studio City, California garage in 1995, UCP has helped more than 38,000 people with disabilities in more than 66 countries gain increased mobility and dignity.
"I believe we are so successful because our mission is so simple. We help bring mobility to those who need it the most and ensure each recipient receives a correctly fitted wheelchair". David Richrd, Founder/President, UCP Wheels for Humanity
