WENTY LEAGUES IS PROUD TO SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Wenty Leagues has been fortunate enough to distribute a total of $603,645.15 in funding to community projects in the Cumberland area. These organisations were presented with funding that went towards supporting initiatives to help improve the quality of life for many individuals and groups in the community. From the various organisations supported through this scheme, Wenty Leagues was proud to present much-needed funding to the following organisations:
Organisation: BE UNSTOPPABLE FOUNDATION
Purpose: Community Education Programs
Program: 2x Positive Mental Health – 12 Weeks Adults Program
The program teaches coping strategies to manage mental health, build mental strength and ‘positive mental health’ by learning resilience, confidence, self-awareness and communication skills, harnessing personal strengths, learn to set goals and more.
Amount: $17,733
Program: Positive Mental Health Program for Big-Kids
UNSTOPPABLE KIDS is a school-delivered program designed to help Big-Kids (high school students), understand symptoms of ‘adverse mental health’. The program teaches coping strategies to prevent severe symptoms and cultivate mental strength and ‘positive mental health’ by learning resilience, confidence, self-awareness and communication skills.
Amount: $35,809
Website: Be Unstoppable Foundation
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Organisation: Blues Wheelchair Basketball
Purpose: Health Promotions Initiatives
Program: Pathways Program
Wheelchair Basketball Pathways program accommodates for athletes from junior level to the National League level. We provide opportunity to be active with a likeminded group and activity involving both able bodied and people with a disability.
Amount: $20,000
Website: Blues Wheelchair Basketball Club
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Organisation: Camp Quality
Purpose: Early Childhood Health/Child and Family Services
Program: Cancer Education Program: age-appropriate educational program teaching kids about cancer.
The Camp Quality’s Cancer Education Program is an educational puppet show which aims to dispel myths and create supportive communities for any child affected by cancer. The fun and interactive show helps children better understand cancer and depicts side-effects of cancer treatments, the anxieties of a child returning to school, and explores how to be a supportive classmate.
Amount: $3,464
Website: Camp Quality
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Organisation: Care Flight
Purpose: Health Promotions Initiatives
Program: Bleed Control Simulation Equipment for Trauma Care Training
CareFlight provides high-quality simulation-based trauma training for Cumberland first volunteer responders, who can arrive first at the scene of critical incidents. What they do in the first minutes can significantly improve patient outcomes, and their actions can mean the difference between life and death. CareFlight seeks support to purchase a Bleed Control Module set to equip first responders with the skills to stem blood loss due to the amputation of limb.
Amount: $6,099
Website: CareFlight
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Organisation: Dandelion Support Network
Purpose: Family Support/Emergency or Low-Cost Accommodation
Program: Providing safety and social connection to local disadvantaged families
Dandelion will provide 65 disadvantaged families in the Cumberland City LGA with vital early intervention. We will purchase 20 cots, 18 prams and 30 car seats to distribute along with preloved nursery essentials through our partner welfare agencies, ensuring 65 vulnerable families within the local LGA are able to provide their babies and children with the essential items for them to sleep and travel safely.
Amount: $20,000
Website: Dandelion Support Network
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Organisation: Epilepsy Action Australia
Purpose: Early Childhood Health/Child and Family Services
Program: Ted-E-Bear Connection, supporting children with epilepsy in Cumberland
There are 364 children under 10 with epilepsy in Cumberland. Around one-third suffer anxiety. Up to 25% have depression. Our Ted-E-Bear Connection program in Cumberland will help improve their mental health. We will give 60 local children with epilepsy a cuddly comforting teddy-bear, and connect their families to essential epilepsy information, Nurses and peer-support that reduces anxiety and depression, and builds confidence, wellbeing, and resilience.
Amount: $10,917
Website: Epilepsy Action Australia
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Organisation: Fair Fight Foundation Ltd
Purpose: Health Promotions Initiatives
Program: The Supertee Project
The Supertee is a medical garment cleverly disguised as a superhero costume helping children battling life-threatening conditions. Its design allows parents and hospital staff to bypass most of the necessary medical equipment that children must be connected to when confined to their hospital beds.
Amount: $20,000
Website: Supertee Project
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Organisation: Family of League Foundation Ltd
Purpose: Family Support/Emergency or Low-Cost Accommodation
Program: Wellbeing Support for the Men, Women and Children of the Rugby League Community.
The Family of League Foundation provides emotional support to individuals and families in need of assistance from within the rugby league community. Immediate relief packages are provided to help people through tough times and/or improve their quality of life when suffering debilitating illness or disability. Visits are also arranged to those receiving treatment, recovering from illness or struggling with social isolation.
Amount: $5,000
Website: Family of League
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Organisation: Good360 Australia Ltd
Purpose: Early Childhood Health/Child and Family Services
Program: Bridging the Digital Divide for Victim/Survivors of domestic and family violence
Partnering with DFV services in the Cumberland LGA, the project will provide access to 75 refurbished, retired corporate devices plus free data, to women and families affected by domestic and family violence to provide essential access to re-establish their lives and homes as well as increase digital literacy, education outcomes, access to health and wellness services. Devices may be distributed to individuals, used in a laptop library for loan or available for onsite use at DFV services.
Amount: $15,000
Website: Good 360 Australia
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Organisation: Harding Miller Education Foundation
Purpose: Community Education Programs
Program: Advancing girls education in Cumberland
This project will support a high potential Year 9 girl in the Cumberland area currently experiencing disadvantage, to achieve her academic potential through covering the cost of one year of her four-year scholarship ($5,000). Each scholarship has a total value of $20,000 across the four years, and includes a laptop, mobile broadband, IT support, online homework help, personal tutoring and a prepaid school expenses card.
Amount: $5,000
Website: Harding Miller Education Foundation
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Organisation: Learning Links
Purpose: Community Education Programs
Program: Speech Therapy in Schools – Empowering Children to Learn, Communicate and Thrive
Learning Links Speech Pathologists will work at Holroyd High School to support students who have speech, language and communication challenges that are affecting their ability to learn, make friends and reach their full potential. Our Speech Pathologists will support up to 32 students with weekly evidence-based therapies to help combat their challenges at a vital stage of their development. They will also support teachers to best address speech challenges in their classrooms.
Amount: $34,950
Program: The Resilient Kids Project – Specialist Trauma Informed Practices to Support At-Risk Children
Learning Links specialist childhood educators and psychologists will adopt a whole-community response to help ensure children from Wentworthville Public School, who are at risk from or who have experienced traumatic situations and/or circumstances, like Domestic Violence, are supported through targeted child-centred interventions including Childhood Resilience and Psychological Support and Teacher and Parent Capacity Building Programs.
Amount: $45,880
Website: Learning Links
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Organisation: Little Wings Ltd
Purpose: Early Childhood Health/Child and Family Services
Program: Little Wings Children’s Hospital Flight Program – Cumberland Council
Since 2012, Little Wings has provided free, safe and professional flight and ground transport service for seriously ill children and their families located in regional NSW. Our aim is to reduce the emotional and financial stress associated with traveling long distances to seek specialised medical treatment in Sydney and Newcastle. We are seeking financial support for 12 flights for children from rural, remote and regional NSW requiring treatment at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network.
Amount: $19,336
Website: Little Wings
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Organisation: Minifit
Purpose: Health Promotions Initiatives
Program: Fitness Clinics
School Holidays Clinics for Boy and Girls educating about Movement, exercise and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle through nutrition, hydration and sleep.
Amount: $32,650
Website: Minifit
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Organisation: Morris Children’s Fund Inc.
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Services
Program: Music Therapy
The program is conducted each week of school term (40 weeks per year) by Rhythm Village who works with Special Needs Schools using music as a medium to unlock the students’ hidden potential and capabilities. Generally run in group sessions, each student is given the opportunity to ‘shine’, to create sound and music, to explore their own creativity and push their physical boundaries.
Amount: $10,000
Website: Morris Children’s Fund Inc.
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Organisation: Odyssey House NSW
Purpose: Drug and Alcohol/palliative Care/Women’s Health/Aboriginal Health
Program: Alcohol and other Drugs (AOD) Capacity building
The program aims to improve access to person-centred alcohol and other drug use (AOD) intervention and care so that individuals and their families impacted by harmful AOD use can improve health and wellbeing. Odyssey will provide clients, at no charge, with community-based multidisciplinary services including case management, outreach, care coordination, and individual/group counselling. It is an individualised structured treatment and support program to prevent and minimise AOD use harm.
Amount: $15,000
Website: Odyssey House NSW
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Organisation: Ronald McDonald House Charities – Greater Western Sydney
Purpose: Family Support/Emergency or Low-Cost Accommodation
Program: Room Sponsorship
Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney’s (RMHC GWS) home-away-from home enables families with seriously sick or injured children to stay together, during one of the most stressful times of their life. Our unique service includes accommodation, education services and home-cooked meals, at a cost to the charity of around $160/family per night. We have 60 rooms in our purpose-built House & Room Sponsorship provides a critical source of funding, but also
connection to the community
Amount: $20,000
Purpose: Family Support/Emergency or Low-Cost Accommodation
Program: Meals with Heart
Ronald McDonald House continually strives to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children with illness and disability, and their families – this includes providing a safe and supportive home for families and a nourishing, home cooked meal that is appreciated by parents and carers after a long day spent beside their child’s hospital bed. Providing a simple home-cooked meal makes an incredible difference for all of the families that stay at Ronald McDonald House.
Amount: $3,000
Purpose: Home and Community Care
Program: Essential House Supplies
Ronald McDonald House continually strives to make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of children with illness and disability, and their families – this includes providing a safe and supportive home for families and a nourishing, home cooked meal that is appreciated by parents and carers after a long day spent beside their child’s hospital bed. Providing a simple home-cooked meal makes an incredible difference for all of the families that stay at Ronald McDonald House.
Amount: $2,000
Purpose: Home and Community Care
Program: Santa For Sick Kids
For most kids, Christmas is a time for toys and fun. For the seriously ill and injured children staying at Ronald McDonald House, they just want their families close as they battle childhood illnesses and injuries. On average, it costs Ronald McDonald House Charities $160 to support a family for one night.
Amount: $5,000
Website: Ronald McDonald House Charities – Greater Western Sydney
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Organisation: Rotary Australia Benevolent Society
Purpose: Family Support/Emergency or Low-Cost Accommodation
Program: Hunter Valley Bus Tragedy
To provide Benevolent relief and support to survivors, victims and their immediate families from the events of the fatal bus accident which occurred near Greta NSW on Sunday 11 June 2023.
Amount: $5,000
Website: Rotary Australia Benevolent Society
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Organisation: Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation Inc.
Purpose: Community Transport Services
Program: Community Patient Transport Service in the Cumberland LGA
SRLCF provides “FREE” Medical Transport to those in our community who are immobile, lonely as well as physically, mentally, and financially challenged. The main aim of the Service is to ensure they receive the necessary Transport support to attend what are at times critical medical appointments. This provides them with a real opportunity of enhancing their overall quality of life, whilst also helping them to once again reconnect with society & importantly regain their independence & respect.
Amount: $14,140
Website: Sir Roden & Lady Cutler Foundation Inc.
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Organisation: Solve-TAD Ltd/Freedom Solutions
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Services
Program: The Joy of Cycling for People with Disabilities in the Cumberland LGA
Fifteen people with a disability in the Cumberland LGA will receive an Occupational Therapy Assessment to design a custom bike that will enable them to ride a bike to help reduce social isolation. The assessments will be provided at no cost to the individual or parents/carers of local people with a disability. This enables parents/carers or individuals to freely explore a safe and fun recreational activity without any pressure, relieving them of both financial and emotional stress.
Amount: $5,625
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Service
Program: Supporting People with Disabilities to Ride and Run
This project will provide an inclusive and safe space for Solve-TAD’s Occupational Therapist to conduct Occupational Therapy Assessments for custom-built bikes and Frame-runners for people with disabilities. This includes: -Removal of an office wall and patching -A bike path/trail painted on the floor. -Upgrade of lighting -Painting of walls to depict a park or similar scene painted by Aboriginal artists or Aboriginal community members.
Amount: $7,500
Website: Solve – TAD/Freedom Solutions
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Organisation: St Merkorious Charity Association Inc.
Purpose: Family Support/Emergency or Low Cost Accommodation
Program: Together We Rise: Empowering women
Our project provides food and hygiene hampers to women facing domestic and family violence in Cumberland LGA. The project aims to directly deliver essential resources to the clients while providing referrals for employment, education, and other services. The project will promote community awareness and cultural change by fostering a sense of connection, support, and community involvement. With the funding, we will meet the immediate needs of women and promote their safety and well-being.
Amount: $7,500
Website: St Merkorious Charity Association Inc.
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Organisation: Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation
Purpose: Family Early Childhood Health/Child and Family Services
Program: Lights for Kids – Clinical Trials Program at the Children’s Cancer Research Unit (CCRU)
CCRU are developing a novel therapy known as CAR T cell therapy for treating children’s sarcoma. CAR T cell therapy is a highly effective new cancer treatment that uses a patient’s own immune system to attack their cancer cells.
Amount: $50,000
Program: Western Sydney Aboriginal Child and Family Health Project
Purpose: Drug and Alcohol/palliative Care/Women’s Health/Aboriginal Health
Ngala Nanga Mai (NNM)is a successful Aboriginal Arts in Health program run at the La Perouse Community Centre in conjunction with Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. It promotes access to health and educational services and parenting skills amongst many other things. Due to the success of this program and a high need for something similar in Western Sydney, we are conducting a scoping and community engagement study to establish the feasibility of implementing this program in Western Sydney.
Amount: $5,000
Website: Sydney Children’s Hospitals Foundation
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Organisation: The Humour Foundation
Purpose: Early Childhood Health/Child and Family Services
Program: The Clown Doctors program at The Children’s Hospital, Westmead (CHW)
Clown Doctors use evidence-informed, humour therapy to improve quality of life for children/families at Children’s Hospital, Westmead (CHW) 4 days/wk. Working with medical staff & specially trained for sensitive work, they address physiological & psychological needs – distracting sick/frightened children, empowering long-term patients, encouraging resilience, providing respite for anxious parents & supporting hospital staff. Around 4500 children from Cumberland LGA are admitted to CHW annually.
Amount: $8,937.50
Website: The Humour Foundation
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Organisation: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Purpose: Community Education Programs
Program: RSPCA NSW Cumberland Reading to Animals Program
Reading to Animals is a project that assists children from primarily migrant, CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) or ESL (English as a second language) backgrounds and those disengaged from traditional learning/classroom style of teaching. This program with participating schools helps explore challenges, while allowing the children to build their skills, confidence and a brighter future by providing a greater awareness of the purpose of literacy in a hands-on environment.
Amount: $9,220
Website: RSPCA
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Organisation: The Sebastian Foundation
Purpose:Community nursing or therapy or mental health services
Program: Open Parachute
The Sebastian Foundation funds a unique, in-school mental health program that uses peer-to-peer methods to teach kids the psychological tools they need to survive and thrive through the challenges of adolescence. This clinically validated, research backed, early intervention style program prioritises mental health education in all young people’s schooling.
Amount: $10,000
Website: The Sebastian Foundation
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Organisation: The Top Blokes Foundation
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Services
Program: Improving young male mental health across Cumberland – Top Blokes Mentoring Program
Top Blokes Mentoring Program will support 72 young males aged 11-17 who attend the following schools: Pendle Hill High School, Hilltop Road Public School, Sherwood Grange Public School, Chester Hill North Public School and Trinity Catholic College. With qualified youth workers delivering weekly workshops, young males are supported to build a toolkit of skills in mental health and wellbeing, social connectedness and reduced anti-social behaviours.
Amount: $33,770
Website: The Top Blokes Foundation
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Organisation: UCA – Parramatta Mission
Purpose: Neighbourhood centre activities, youth drop in facilities
Program: Rich Person Poor Person
Parramatta Mission will be hosting its inaugural Rich Person/Poor Person Fundraising Dinner. The event is an opportunity for us to put ourselves in the shoes of those experiencing homelessness and disadvantaged during the current cost of living crisis and to better understand the challenges they face.
Amount: $14,600
Program: Pathways Program
Purpose: Community Education Programs
Parramatta Mission’s aim is to develop the third tier of Community Hub within Meals Plus. Tentatively named the “Pathways” program, this will provide education, skills and intensive wrap-around services for those who are experiencing homelessness or those at risk of homelessness. We know that providing a roof over someone’s head is often not enough, as they may be unable to maintain this without the skills and support structures required.
Amount: $14,600
Website: Parramatta Mission
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Organisation: Youth Off the Streets
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Services
Program: Engagement and Support Services
Youth Off The Streets Engagement & Support (E&S) Services connects with young people (aged 12-25) experiencing or at risk of experiencing disadvantage. Youth Off The Streets E&S operates at over 20 undeserved have high levels of youth crime and disengagement.
Amount: $33,770
Program: General Mentoring and iDrive (Driver Training) Program
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Services
Students from Youth Off The Streets’ Chapel and Step Up Schools in Merrylands will have access to our Mentoring & iDrive Program that matches disadvantaged students with mentors to support them in reaching their goals. iDrive assists students with attaining a Learner/Provisional driver licence by providing access to a vehicle and volunteer supervisor for driving practice and financial assistance for driving lessons. Mentors boost motivation and self-esteem so students stay engaged in pursuits.
Amount: $25,000
Program: Cycle of Courage
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Services
The Cycle of Courage program is a group cycling opportunity that re-engages young people who have disengaged from school and community due to complex issues. The program has structured weekly training rides to develop leadership and communication skills within a team environment, cycling competency, bike maintenance skills and road safety awareness. Students achieve remarkable personal growth, improved attitudes, increased sense of belonging, goal setting and a positive vision for their future.
Amount: $8,400
Program: The Next Steps Transition program
Purpose: Aged, Disability or Youth Services
Chapel School and Step Up College support 55 students who have struggled to thrive in mainstream education due to disadvantage. The Next Steps Transition Program works with at-risk young people to provide them with a planned transition from school into further study, training or employment. It engages parents/carers, caseworkers, counsellors, school staff, employment services and the broader community in the implementation of each student’s plans, with timeframes driven by the individual.
Amount: $25,000
Website: Youth off the Streets
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Organisation: Zen Tea Lounge Foundation
Purpose: Employment Placement/Advocacy Services
Program: Restore Identity Project
The Restore Identity Project aims to support the personal growth and development of women who are victims of domestic and sexual violence in the Cumberland LGA community. The project provides a safe space for women to connect, heal and rebuild their sense of identity through workshops, counselling, mentorship, work readiness and employment. Empowering women to reclaim their lives, build self-esteem and confidence, and develop the skills and resources, the goal of the project is to help women to move forward from trauma.
Amount: $15,000
Website: Zen Tea Lounge Foundation