Randwick Council last night approved funding for eight not-for-profit social service providers to receive funding as part of Council’s annual Community Partnerships Funding program, bringing the total amount granted over the past ten years to close to $1.6 million.

The Community Partnerships Funding program provides financial assistance to programs and projects that address the needs of disadvantaged Randwick residents.

“These groups ensure that members of our community who are living through difficulties receive the advocacy, support and advice they need in order to thrive,” said Randwick Mayor Lindsay Shurey.

“Each organisation has identified a need within our community and has found a way to rise up and meet it. I’m incredibly grateful for the work they do and proud that Randwick Council has given more than $1.6 million to 39 community groups over the past decade.”

Eight organisations received new funding totalling $112,490 for a range of activities, including programs that teach children to value kindness and positivity, employment for outreach workers focusing on at-risk teens, accommodation and support for people facing homelessness and programs that improve the mental and physical health of seniors.

In addition, three organisations received their third year of funding, totaling $46,738.00, which was allocated in the 2016-17 funding round.

This year, cash grants were approved for:

• Beaches Outreach Project to employ outreach workers between the hours of 8pm and 4am to assist young people engaging in at-risk behaviours in the southern suburbs of Randwick.
• Holdsworthy Community to expand their Seniors Wellbeing program, which focuses on the mental and physical health of elderly people.
• Ethnic Community Services Cooperative to link participants to appropriate services.
• Jewish House to provide support and accommodation for people facing homelessness and other crises.
• Kooloora Community Centre to allow a community worker to work with social housing tenants, families with young children and seniors.
• Souths Cares to hire an Aboriginal Recruitment Worker.
• Waverley Action for Youth Services to fund a youth outreach program focussing on Clovelly, Coogee and Gordon’s Bay.
• Weave Youth and Community Services to provide a range of programs that promote kindness, positivity and environmental care to children.