Eight local Charities supporting vulnerable Novocastrians have shared in $150,000 of Rapid Response Grants from Newcastle Council, to help people overcome challenges posed by Covid-19.
The eight recipient charities include:
· Awabakal
· A local women’s and children’s refuge
The payments were made under the City’s Community and Economic Development Resilience Package, to help the charities prepare meals and care packages for the needy and
supply them through newly introduced delivery services.
The funds are also set to be used to buy IT
equipment for disadvantaged youth to continue their education during social isolation and help victims of domestic violence access online
counselling.
Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes
said the first round of support had been rolled
out in little more than a week after the City announced a twin grants
program to support non-government organisations, not for profits and other
charitable service providers.
“The rapid response funding has
ensured the continuity of food supply to meet a spike in
local demand,” the Lord Mayor said.
“It was critical we responded quickly to help
organisations implement the changes they have had to
make to operate safely under current social distancing and home
isolation restrictions."
BaptistCare HopeStreet’s Craig Budden said their $25,000 grant from
the City would help provide food support and material assistance to
meet a huge increase in demand at the organisations Mayfield and Wallsend offices.
“The extra funding will mean we are able to provide more
emergency relief care-packs, Woolworths and Coles vouchers, hand sanitiser,
cleaning products and other emergency relief items like petrol, sleeping bags
and pharmacy products, as well as more takeaway food through our outreach
van,” Budden, Manager of the Wallsend Centre, said.
“The grant will also help fund the HopeStreet food
delivery service that we have started to ensure those
who are experiencing food insecurity but are self-isolating
or quarantining can still receive food support.”
Another round
of community funding totalling $550,000 is also
being offered under the City’s Community and Economic Development
Resilience Package.
The Boost our City Community Grants of
up to $30,000 will help organisations directly support community
health and wellbeing during the coronavirus crisis.
“Whether it’s for someone with complex health needs
but limited access to technology to continue getting
that vital care, or someone who has lost their
job and is seeking help for the first time, we know
these grants will go a long way to helping our community,” Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes added.
Open until 30 June, Boost our City Community
Grants are available for projects that comply with Federal Government
guidelines and NSW Health advice.
Application forms and information on how to apply are
available via the City’s website.
