about 'Back to School vouchers'
Photo courtesy The Courier
Each year The Ballarat Foundation issues vouchers, through the Back to School Program, to selected schools to help with the purchase of uniforms, books or other equipment needed to get students back to school. 20 10 is our 6th year with close to 800 vouchers delivered to 65 schools throughout our region.
Leveraging on an initiative of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and the Sidney Myer Fund, with generous support from The Ledger Charitable Trust, The Jack Brockhoff Foundation, The Wyatt Benevolent Institution, The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund, the Estate of the late Edward Wilson and Target, The Ballarat Foundation seeks additional funds from the community and through grant programs to further support this initiative.
During 2009 we were extremely pleased to receive additional support for the 2010 program from Ballarat and regional schools, Springfest (Rotary Club of Ballarat), Rotary Young Ambition, Pyrenees Shire Council, Ararat Rotary Club, Creswick Lions Club, Brown Hill Lioness Club, Haddon Lions Club and individual donors. Already in this year we have confirmed support from the Rotary Club of Ballarat and the University of Ballarat Golden Key International Honour Society.
“In 2010, our sixth year distributing Back to School vouchers, we are delighted to be able to continue the program through the region. In this distribution The Ballarat Foundation is supporting 65 regional schools (mainly primary) with vouchers having a total value of $40,000”, says Noel Trengove, CEO of The Ballarat Foundation.
“After the enormous cost of Christmas, many families find it difficult to make ends meet and struggle to ensure that their children start school with even the basic requirements. With everyone struggling with increased financial stress, this year is harder than most”, says Noel Trengove.
Working in a discreet community partnership with schools identified as those with the greatest need, The Ballarat Foundation is able to provide very necessary support.
Looking forward schools are invited to raise further funds themselves to further support their school families. In recent years with the support of FRRR, The Ballarat Foundation has been able to double up any contribution made by individual schools through the ‘Challenge Program’.
“Knowing the benefits, the schools involved are only too ready to assist in raising funds and distributing the vouchers. They are most appreciative of the support. The program is unique, in that recipient families can choose what they actually need for their children.”
“This is an excellent example of the active support given by The Ballarat Foundation to our regional community. It’s great to know that children can return to school better prepared”.
“……..It is always very rewarding to see students coming to school very soon after the vouchers are distributed proudly showing of their new shoes and uniform. The Ballarat Foundation has aided in the learning and wellbeing of many of our students and their families by strengthening relationships between the school and home and by supporting certain students in the acquisition of life skills.”
Nadia Bettio Assistant Principal, Delacombe Primary School
“We used these vouchers to help a very needy family who have been deserted by their mother and have a father who is influenced by substance use. The children have experienced things no children should have to endure and their illiterate grandmother is doing the best she can with no money. The school was as able to supply this family with new shoes, school uniforms and a wide variety of stationary. This may not seem like much to most families, but to this family it made a vital change in their self esteem and their grandmother was extremely grateful.
The male child wears his runners on a daily basis and plays running games with other students, which he rarely did previously. They are now proud to fit in as students in our school, wearing suitably sized uniforms, good shoes and not whatever clothes they got from the Opp shop.”
The Principal of a small regional school (name withheld)
“The relevance and importance of this program to our school is that we are able to assist families quietly without any fuss. The most pleasing aspect is the response from the parents and carers who appreciate the opportunity to be able to make these purchases that make their children fit more effectively into the school environment.” John Burt, Principal, Ballarat Specialists School.
The community can also assist local children by sending a tax deductible donation to The Ballarat Foundation. It would be a timely gesture Giving made easy…Giving where it counts.
Download and fill out the donation form and send with you cheque to The Ballarat Foundation , P.O. Box 1676, Ballarat Mail Centre, 3354 or contact us.
Donations can be made at any time throughout the year.
