Fourteen local community projects will share more than $100,000 in grant funding for relief activities as part of an ongoing relief grant round, Hands Across Canberra announced today.
Peter Gordon, CEO of Hands Across Canberra, said that this grant round has especially highlighted the changing needs across the community sector.
“Each day our understanding of the depth of this pandemic on our community organisations expands,” Mr Gordon said.
“We are always evaluating how best to serve our network of organisations in this challenging time. This round of funding reflects our commitment to the hard work our partners our doing to address the real impact of the Covid crisis,” he said.
“The staff of Hands Across Canberra are in regular contact with Canberra charities and those in the nearby region, gathering information about our communities’ needs. Mental health is a concern for everyone. Food pantries and kitchens are seeing increases in demand for food and hygiene items, which has catalysed stronger coordination among organisations. Charities serving vulnerable communities and who have trust within those communities are supporting people in new ways, ensuring that basic needs are being met.”
Mr Gordon said recipients of Hands Across Canberra’s relief support for this initial grant round are being determined on a weekly basis. The initial focus has been to get resources quickly to the non-profit basic needs and social service providers in the region.
The following organisations are benefactors of this grant round and are providing various forms of relief to vulnerable members of the local community: A Gender Agenda, Doris Women’s Refuge, GIVIT Listed, HOME in Queanbeyan, Marymead, Mental Illness Education ACT, Meridian, Multicultural Hub Canberra, Parentline ACT, Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW (two programs), Roundabout Canberra, This Is My Brave Australia, and Yeddung Mura (Good Pathways) Aboriginal Corporation.
Zakia Patel, regional managing director of the Multicultural Hub, said that since the ACT lockdown began in Canberra, the Hub had been inundated with calls from CALD community members for financial support, including assistance with rent, medication, food and bills. This funding will help support CALD clients impacted by the lockdown, she said.
The grants announced today support a range of beneficiaries and forms of relief during lockdown including: rent and bill relief for domestic violence survivors and vulnerable community members; coordination of essential items for vulnerable Canberrans; PPE for organisation staff and residents; emergency support accommodation, food/fuel vouchers, clothing, toiletries and crisis support for vulnerable families in the ACT; and mental health programs.
Here is the full list of grants awarded:
| Organisation Name | Grant Amount | Project Name |
| A Gender Agenda | $5,000.00 | Lockdown Community Member Support |
| Doris Women’s Refuge Incorportated | $6,400.00 | Supporting impoverished women and children surviving violence during Covid restrictions in the ACT |
| GIVIT Listed Ltd | $10,000.00 | GIVIT ACT COVID relief |
| HOME in Queanbeyan | $10,000.00 | Help at HOME |
| Marymead | $10,000.00 | Free Mental Health Sessions |
| Mental Illness Education ACT | $10,000.00 | Self Care Canberra |
| Meridian | $5,000.00 | COVID-19 support for sex workers |
| Multicultural Hub Canberra | $10,000.00 | Emergency Support to the CALD Community |
| Parentline ACT | $1,200.00 | Purchase of Mobile Phones and Plans for Volunteer Counsellors Working from Home |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW | $2,500.00 | Meals from the Heart |
| Ronald McDonald House Charities ACT & South East NSW | $2,500.00 | Wrapped In Love |
| Roundabout Canberra | $10,000.00 | Covid-19 Baby and Children’s Emergency Relief Packs |
| This Is My Brave Australia Inc. | $10,000.00 | Ngunnawal Street Pantry and TIMBA Care Boxes |
| Yeddung Mura (Good Pathways) Aboriginal Corporation | $10,000.00 | COVID19 support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families impacted by Justice System |
Mr Gordon said Hands Across Canberra continues to accept applications from charities. It is inevitable that there will be a gap in funding for some of these organisations and further support is encouraged.
Hands Across Canberra is currently running a fundraising campaign with Supabarn called Supahands, which allows for donors to contribute and support the organisations that run and execute community-based projects for the most vulnerable community members in Canberra doing it tough in these times. To donate, visit www.handsacrosscanberra.org.au
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