The Wyndham Empowering Communities Local Action Group is pleased to announce the grant recipients of the Community Safety Grants.
The grants were funded by the Victorian Government’s Empowering Communities initiative as part of the Building Safer Communities Program. The Wyndham Empowering Communities Local Action Group was also formed through this initiative in 2022.
The five recipients included:
- Wyndham Community & Education Centre
- Karuna Compassion in Action Incorporated
- Blue Light Victoria Incorporated
- Youth Junction Inc and
- Festival for Healthy Living, Royal Children’s Hospital Community Development (auspiced by The Village Festival of New Performance Inc)
The grant recipients will deliver projects and activities that build a sense of community, helping neighbourhoods feel safer, promote interfaith/intercultural understanding and improve community connections.
They will also empower children and young people, helping children and young people feel safer and provide opportunities, skills or insights to help them make positive life choices.
Wyndham City Mayor, Councillor Susan McIntyre, congratulated the successful recipients.
“This has been a wonderful initiative – firstly meeting with the community in 2022 to discuss community safety issues, then creating a Wyndham Empowering Communities Local Action Group that has guided this next step to help select the Community Safety Grants recipients,” Cr McIntyre said.
“I look forward to seeing the projects and activities these recipients will deliver.”
“As part of the grants process, we also invited community members to become Community Partners to support the delivery of the five projects.”
“As these projects roll out until mid-2024, we continue to encourage individuals and organisations interested in supporting the delivery of the safety projects to reach out directly to the funded recipients.”
“We’re creating partnerships across government and community agencies to address local crime and safety issues, using the strengths that exist locally and the willingness of local people and organisations to come together to strengthen community.”
Further recipient information and contact details for those interested in becoming Community Partners:
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Recipient |
Wyndham Community Safety Grants Project/ Activity |
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Wyndham Community & Education Centre
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Horizons: Empowering Multicultural Youth for Success The grant will be used to empower youth from diverse backgrounds (15-24) to cultivate a strong sense of identity and belonging. This initiative forges partnerships with community partners including community sports clubs, faith groups, schools and parents to address key life challenges, driving tangible outcomes that transform lives and amplify young individual aspirations. Project Contact Person: Adrian Cully Project Contact Email: adrian.cully@wyndham.org.au Grant received: $75,000 |
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Karuna Compassion in Action Incorporated
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Wyndham Karen Youth The grant will be used to enhance the involvement, cohesion, and networking of young people (ages 12-25) in the Karen refugee community residing in Wyndham. It will aim to encourage interaction between Karen youth and various religious, societal, governmental, and cultural groups to promote their overall health, well-being and development (physical, mental, social and emotional). Project Contact Person: Nathan Buckley Project Contact Email: karunainaction@gmail.com Grant received: $60,000 |
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Blue Light Victoria Incorporated
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D – A – S – H (Dynamic, Active, Safe & Healthy) The grant will be used to deliver the DASH (Dynamic, Active, Safe and Healthy) program, which is an 7-session interactive school-based program for Years 5/6 students and their families, building resilience and holistic wellbeing, focusing on safety and creating connections with police, community supports and each other. DASH provides unique learning opportunities and has proven success in strengthening school engagement and increasing connection. Project Contact Person: Leanne Bright Project Contact Email: leanne.bright@bluelight.org.au Grant received: $70,000 |
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The Youth Junction Inc
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Youth Umbrella Project – Wyndham The grant will be used to deliver the Youth Umbrella Project (Y.U.P). This is a 'call to action' to provide targeted youth service interventions that reduce risk and increase resilience for disadvantaged young people involved in the justice system living and supported in Wyndham. A wrap around case management model will create practical, purposeful and sustainable outcomes. Project Contact Person: Chantelle Gianinotti Project Contact Email: cgianinotti@youthjunctioninc.net.au Grant received: $90,000 |
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Festival for Healthy Living, Royal Children’s Hospital Community Development (auspiced by The Village Festival of New Performance Inc)
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The Wyndham Festival for Healthy Living (WFHL) The grant will be used to deliver a multi – arts workshop program by local artists and wellbeing professionals, to six community groups/schools, with a large proportion of children from African background. The program will culminate in a free combined schools/community wellbeing festival, improving cultural perceptions, reducing stigma, raising mental – health awareness and celebrating participants’ achievements. Project Contact Person: Suzanne Kalk Project Contact Email: stusuz@wetnet.com.au Grant received: $75,000 |
For more information visit: https://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/services/community-support/community-support-services-programs/empowering-communities-grants