Annual Grant to Otago welfare organisations

The Otago Community Trust donated $364,000 to 11 Otago welfare organisations in April.

Otago Community Trust Chief Executive Barbara Bridger said the grants are an annual donation that supports the region’s key agencies in their work.  “It provides funding for a range of very necessary community programmes and services in Dunedin and Otago.”

The annual Otago Community Trust donation to Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Womens Refuge, for instance, helps provide invaluable services like its “breaking the cycle” programme in the community.

Refuge Community Outreach Facilitator Amanda Durham said the 10 session programmes run by the organisation help women in abusive situations understand the effect that the abuse is having on them and their children.  It empowers them to seek support and take responsibility for their own safety.

She said there is a high demand for the programme, and always very positive responses from the women who attend.  “It has helped support and empower many women over the years to protect themselves from violence and psychological abuse; we know it is making a difference in the community.”

The Otago Community Trust funding means the service can be delivered to more women in need.

The Otago Community Trust has also been supportive to Presbyterian Support Otago (PSO); its annual donations helping to deliver vital Family Works services to Dunedin families, and to run the very successful Buddy Programme. 

PSO Family Works, which offers immediate assistance, social work support, advocacy, counselling and group programmes to people in need, is seeing an increasing number of families who continue to struggle, despite the economic upturn. 

PSO Fundraising Administrator David Marsh said the organisation takes a holistic approach to helping people get back on their feet, and the support received from organisations like the Otago Community Trust makes a world of difference.

“It’s not only having an impact on the individuals that PSO supports, but also their families and ultimately, the Otago community.  It enables us to help families make positive and lasting changes”.

The PSO Buddy Programme, for instance, was set up 21 years ago to help children aged between 4 and 12 who faced challenges in their life. They are paired with an adult who volunteers a couple of hours a week to share an activity and offer support to them.

Many of the original “buddied” children are now young adults, some now parents themselves, and Mr Marsh said feedback showed that being buddied had helped shape a positive outlook in their life and how to be a positive role model to their children.

 

Otago Community Trust annual welfare agencies grants 2014
Stopping Violence Dunedin Inc	$15,000
Te Whare Pounamu Dunedin Womens Refuge	$20,000
Malcam Charitable Trust	$30,000
Otago Youth Wellness Trust	$45,000
Methodist Mission Southern	$49,000
Anglican Family Care	$50,000
Presbyterian Support Otago	$50,000
Barnardos Otago	$20,000
Catholic Social Services	$30,000
Salvation Army New Zealand Trust	$30,000
Schizophrenia Fellowship Otago Branch	$25,000