Inner West Council will allocate $250,000 to 10 local organisations to provide direct assistance to vulnerable people during the current COVID crisis.
This is in addition to the $250,000 Council provided last year to partner organisations such as Addison Road Community Centre, Asylum Seekers Centre, Exodus Foundation, Headspace Ashfield and various community centres.
“That funding made a real, direct and positive impact in the community,” said Inner West Mayor Rochelle Porteous.
“It meant more food hampers, support to boarding house residents, mental health support to young people, telephone and online outreach to seniors and families, training, and redeployment of volunteers.
“With a repeat of last year’s devastating lockdown, it was right for Council to once again find this money to assist our local community organisation and not-for-profits in their really essential work,” Mayor Porteous said.
Mayor Porteous will host a round table discussion with the 10 organisations to discuss the current situation, ascertain what challenges they are facing, and how Council can further support them.
The organisations are:
• Asylum Seekers Centre
• Community and Cultural Connections
• Deadly Connections
• Gunawirra
• Inner West Boarding House Team
• Newtown Neighbourhood Centre
• Leichhardt Women’s Health Centre
• Rosemount Good Shepherd Youth and Family Services
• Sanctuary House Women’s Shelter
• Youth Off The Streets
“All these organisations have borne additional costs, have stretched resources or are struggling to meet increased demand because of the ongoing pandemic crisis,” Mayor Porteous said.
“The contribution from Council will assist in so many ways – emergency relief, food security, and mental health support,” Mayor Porteous said.
