Programs that help marginalised and vulnerable young people will benefit from the City of Sydney's latest round of funding grants.
Safe spaces, exercise classes and workshops for literacy and nutrition are all programs proposed by local community groups that will receive funding to either continue their operation or get new initiatives off the ground.
The City has awarded 17 grants valued at more than $930,000 in cash and in-kind support as part of its latest round of community services grants for 2018/19. The City has also committed to more than $1.4 million in cash and in-kind support for 2019/20 and 2020/21.
The Thomas Kelly Youth Foundation Limited has been awarded around $345,000 over three years to run its Take Kare Safe Space program. The project creates a safe space in inner Sydney for young people at risk of late-night alcohol-related violence on Friday and Saturday nights.
Youth Off The Streets Limited has been awarded $38,000 to help young people at risk of homelessness by having a presence in main areas of the city on Friday and Saturday nights.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said the City's grants programs were critical in making Sydney a more inclusive and safe city for everyone.
"Our community is already behind many wonderful programs that help disadvantaged young people in Sydney and through our grants program we are able to support their work and help build a socially connected and inclusive city," the Lord Mayor said.
"We've supported the Thomas Kelly Foundation's Safe Space program from the beginning and it's gone from strength to strength. Trained volunteers have helped thousands of young people stay safe on our streets late at night."
Other projects to benefit from the City's latest grants are:
- A weekly, supervised safe space for economically and socially disadvantaged young people on weekend evenings in Waterloo.
- An extra-curricular care service in Glebe providing a safe space for children, with an educational focus on food and nutrition.
- A program to support young Aboriginal people moving from the justice system to the community.
- Creative writing and literacy workshops for marginalised children.
- Performances by emerging young artists at major creative events.
- A program to reduce drug and alcohol misuse amongst young people in Woolloomooloo, Surry Hills, Redfern and Waterloo.
- A weekly program to provide young people with exercise classes, nutritious breakfasts and school transport.
- Free shuttle buses which enable residents to access local businesses, hospitals, shopping centres, restaurants and universities.
"Through safe space initiatives, health, education or creative workshops, I'm really looking forward to seeing these community programs develop over the coming months and years," the Lord Mayor said.
The City of Sydney's community services grants fund programs that support sustainable communities and contribute to a connected, liveable, inclusive and engaged city.
The program assists organisations to pilot or trial innovative services or establish a program that supports local residents, workers and visitors.
Applications for new projects can be made for funding of up to $50,000 per year for between 1 and 3 years.
For more details on the next round of grants, assessment criteria and guidelines for applicants, visit cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/grants-and-sponsorships
For media inquiries or images, contact Roxanne Macara, Senior Media Advisor.
Phone mobile 0438 554 640 or email rmacara@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
For interviews with Lord Mayor Clover Moore, please contact Anusha Muller.
Phone 0408 494 545 or email amuller@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au