Our 2022 MyState Foundation grant winners
A vital pilot program creating support platforms for palawa – or Tasmanian Aboriginal – youth in the south of the state is a first-time recipient of major support in this year’s MyState Foundation grants.
Launched in 2017, Reconciliation Tasmania is a not-for-profit organisation that plans to use its $9900 grant for a proposed Youth Mob pilot program formed and led by youth members.
A first for Tasmania, the autonomous program aims to reduce disadvantage by connecting palawa with culture, community and country, and exploring pathways to positive wellbeing, life opportunities and inclusion.
The grant will support palawa to launch careers and train them to be leaders and mentors for younger students. It will also help fund an interactive website that will support the Youth Mob program to expand into the north and north-west of the state.
“It’s just fantastic that MyState saw the worth in the project,” says Chris Crerar, Reconciliation Tasmania’s Communications & Fundraising Coordinator.
“Until now it hasn’t been achievable for young Tasmanian Aboriginals to come together and find their own voice. This will help them move forward in their communities in a way other than the traditional way towards a more united future. We’re really blown away.”
Reconciliation Tasmania is one of 20 recipients who will receive a total of $174,658 in the MyState Foundation 2022 grant round.
Since 2001, the Foundation has awarded over $2.5 million in grants to 140 not-for-profit organisations, resulting in more than 300 initiatives.
“Its mission is to provide young Tasmanians with greater opportunities. Its vision is to make a genuine difference – and we think it does,” says MyState Foundation chair Bob Gordon.
In 2022, three organisations – Kennerley Children’s Homes, The Smith Family and Rural Health Tas – received the second year of funding in a two-year agreement. The other grants are new programs or those that were successful last year and received a consecutive grant.
“For 21 years the MyState Foundation grants have given a brighter future to Tasmanian groups focused on youth wellbeing and health,” says MyState Limited Managing Director and CEO Brett Morgan.
“As one of Tasmania’s leading banks, we’re proud to not just support our customers, but play our part as a large employer by investing in the wider community.”
What makes the MyState Foundation grants different is that recipients are often smaller grassroots organisations, says Janelle Whittle, MyState General Manager of People, Community & Public Affairs.
“They can be incredibly successfully in creating change with a personal approach and supporting and empowering Tasmania’s important next generation of leaders.”
The Brave Foundation’s $10,000 grant will aid the SEPT program, which pairs 230 parenting and expecting teens with professional mentors who help the parents identify and work towards life goals. It also connects young parents with resources that help their parenting journey.
“This grant means we can directly support our participants to build agency in their own lives,” says Brave Foundation CEO Jill Roche.
“It’s so valuable. There are benefits not just for the young person but for their child and the whole community.”
Founded in 1869, the Kennerley Children’s Homes are the largest not for profit care provider in Tasmania and currently support 120 vulnerable children who need love and a safe base.
The $5000 grant for the second year of funding for their Moving On Program will fund a series of workshops facilitated by a psychologist and financial advisor to teach self-esteem, wellbeing and financial wellness.
“These grants send a message that young people are worthy and worthwhile. That the community cares about them. It simply allows us to do more,” says Kennerley General Manger Andrea Sturges.
“It’s about building a brighter future – and it’s brighter because MyState is in it.”
If you’re part of an incorporated not-for-profit group giving young Tasmanians educational or development opportunities, visit https://mystate.com.au/about-us/community/mystate-foundation for application details on 2023.
2022 MyState Foundation grant recipients
| Recipient | Amount | Name of Program | Program details / funding purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reconciliation Tasmania | $9,990 | Youth Mob – pilot program | The Youth Mob proposed pilot program aims to provide a Southern Tasmanian Aboriginal youth network, providing palawa youth a platform to connect, share and explore issues. |
| Girl Guides Association (Tasmania) | $10,000 | Consent – Sex & Respect | Collaborating with Women’s Legal Services Tasmania and Laurel House, this programs purpose is to ensure young girls understand the law and consent before they have their first sexual experience. |
| Down Syndrome Tasmania | $4,600 | Relationships Workshop for people with Down Syndrome and their families / carers | A workshop for people with Down Syndrome and their families / carers to gain a greater understanding about healthy and unhealthy relationships and knowing how to stay safe. |
| Bridgewater PCYC | $8,500 | PC Targeted Youth Support | This intervention based initiative combines community engagement activities for work preparedness and supporting at-risk youths aged 5 to 18 to re-engage with schooling. |
| West Moonah Community Action Group | $9,984.28 | Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing Program | Manage a youth adventure program to assist young people to improve their mental health and wellbeing, whilst bringing together local disadvantaged and at-risk youths and guiding them to learn new skills and build confidence. |
| Beacon Foundation | $9,900 | Tasmanian HIPs 2022-2023 (High Impact Work Readiness Programs) | HIPs provide a unique opportunity for members of the business community to participate as volunteer mentors. |
| The Smith Family | $10,000 | Learning for Life | This is the second year of funding for two years of The Learning for Life Program, which provides emotional, practical and financial support to help disadvantaged children and young people with their education. |
| The Smith Family | $10,000 | Digital Student2Student | DS2S will build the comprehension literacy and digital literacy of Tasmania’s youngest residents in need, so they too can participate in the increasingly digital environment in which we all live and work. |
| Hobart PCYC | $7,852.53 | The Bounce Back Program | Focussed on youth wellbeing, the Bounce Back Program facilitates personal change through education and building confidence, trust and self-esteem. Funded by MyState for a second year. |
| Brave Foundation | $10,000.00 | Supporting Expecting and Parenting Teens (SEPT) Program | SEPT Program works with expecting and parenting young people to create individual pathways focusing on education, workforce participation, careers, health and wellbeing, financial and housing assistance and help with everyday parenting skills. |
| Rural Health Tasmania | $10,000 | Youth for Life | The second year of two years of funding, Youth for Life aims to build and improve pre-employment skills and education for youth in the Waratah-Wynyard and Circular head regions. |
| Hobart City Mission | $10,000 | Small Steps | Small Steps aims to prevent children being taken in to State Care, provide housing, and support for young mums aged 15-25. They aim to keep the parent and child together and supporting them 24/7. |
| Camp Quality Ltd | $9,670 | Tasmanian Family Camps | The funding will allow the delivery of two family camps in Tasmania, providing young participants with a vital break from their cancer treatments. |
| Kennerley Children’s Homes | $5,000 | Moving On Program | The second year of two years of funding for their Moving On Program. A series of workshops facilitated by a psychologist and financial advisor to teach self-esteem, well-being and financial wellness. |
| Karinya Young Women’s Service Inc | $10,000 | Creating Skills for Life | In its second year of funding, Creating Skills for Life is a program that supports and enables young people to develop skills to live as safely and independently as possible and improve risk of homelessness in the community. |
| Dress for Success | $9,880.00 | Empowering young women to thrive in work and life | A partnership with the Northern Jobs Hub to provide support and assistance directly to those in the north of Tasmania. |
| The Shepherd Centre | $10,000 | A Listening Ear | A Listening Ear – Specialist telehealth support for deaf children and their families in Tasmania. This is our second year of supporting this program. |
| Reclink Australia | $10,000 | Reclink Community Bike Program | Purchase of three adaptive tricycles for use by participants requiring modified bikes. |
| St Vincent De Paul Society | $7,736 | Vinnies - Youth Buddy Program | A mentoring program for children in need, implementing activities that boost their self-esteem and promote healthy lifestyle choices. |
| Riding for the Disabled St Helens Inc | $2,000 | Find My Place | An 8-week program that identifies at-risk youth and allows them to explore opportunity, problem solving skills and different communication forms using horses. |
