Photo: Ann with Fatma and Chagai

It started with a local need – children around the Collingwood Public Housing Estate were seriously under privileged due to no programs or options for out of school hours. A report compiled by local agencies and schools in 2004, which were located within the Collingwood community noted…“There are no activities for children under the age of 12 … (if this continues) we will have little hope for these children.”

Working with the local community, Concern Australia, with some seed funding from a local Rotary Club, stepped in and started the LiveWires After Hours Care Program. Through partnerships, grants, donations, and fundraising the initial program has grown to a suite of small community based initiatives that over time have met new and emerging needs. These include:

LiveWires:

• Art Therapy Program
• Holiday Program
• Mentoring Program
• Junior Leaders Program
• Girls Tennis Program
• Wired Up (suspended)
• Homework Assistance Program (suspended)

Many organizations and key workers have pulled out of the Collingwood Public Housing Estate in the past 6 months due to funding cuts while Concern Australia continues to provide key support services for children and families. We are now looking for help to ensure the children of the estate are catered for and so we can join with them to bring about hope, joy and personal growth. Some
initiatives include:

• Launch of the 50 x 50 Campaign to recruit 50 local partners to give $50 each month
• This special appeal newsletter for one-off or ongoing giving
• Request for more volunteers to come and find the ‘hero’ within.

With the right support we will provide some sustainability for these programs without continual and exhausting seeking and raising of ongoing funds. This way we can keep the spark alive with the LiveWires Programs and children of the Estate continue to have hope for their future.

The thing I am most proud of is that we don’t work alone. We collaborate and work closely with the local residents, with the other organizations working on the Public Housing Estate and the local Primary Schools. We are always looking for more people to partner with so that this work can continue.

Last year we received so little funding that in December we were not sure how we were going to break even. We had to suspend a couple of our programs and let a couple of staff go. My managerial position went from 4 days per week to 2 days per week and the Art Therapy Coordinator is volunteering so that the Art Therapy Program can continue. These have been trying times, and we also know that what we are doing is very important to the Collingwood Community. We provide so much support, not only for the children but for their families. Our programs are great and they are fun. All of the workers and volunteers could say that we get so much out of it as well. These programs are worth fighting for.

Lives have been changed by our programs, in large ways and small. One little boy who comes to the LiveWires AHC program lives in a very dysfunctional home. His next door neighbour takes him to the food vans at night sometimes, otherwise he goes hungry – except the nights the LiveWires After Hours Care program is on. On those nights he gets a healthy cooked meal to eat and some to take home for his Mum. This is a small thing, but good food is so important to growing bodies and minds.

During the School Holidays we are the only program that runs for these children. The rest of the year we are one of two programs that provide activities other than sport. We are also the only Organization in the area providing free therapy for Primary School aged children.

We are always looking out for people to come and donate their time volunteering at the programs, so come on down!… and if you want to donate your money as well…well happy days! For more information – visit http://www.concernaustralia.org.au/