$700,000 to address local social issues

Community Bank Bayswater has committed $700,000 to four new programs. They wish to tackle family and domestic violence, homelessness, and help at risk young people.

Senior Branch Manager Sean Kay said this significant investment reflected the desire of the Community Company board. They hope to make a real and lasting difference in the City of Bayswater.

‘Considering the Bank only has 8,000 customers, this investment in our community represents years of saving to help tackle the issues our directors and staff are passionate about.’

Two workshops held by directors last year helped them define the problems they wanted to help overcome in the area. From there, they worked with local service providers to design new programs they believed would have a big impact on their clients.

The programs that will be funded by the $700,000 investment are:

• Orana House (family and domestic violence) – support for 3 years to employ a child advocate worker ($150,000);
• Starick (family and domestic violence) – support for 2 years to employ a Safe at Home outreach worker ($163,000);
• 55 Central – support for 3 years of a Grind and Grow coffee van/barista training program ($200,000); and
• Youth Futures (at-risk young people) – support for 2 years to employ a transition manager ($180,000).

Each program will be evaluated during the current agreements.

‘We are hoping they are so successful that the organisations will have the evidence to qualify for government or other funding. We see this as a way to help these not-for-profits get the chance to prove their ideas,’ said Sean.