In the heart of Geelong, a community group tirelessly prepares young people for a life-changing challenge: trekking the Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea.
For many, this opportunity would be out of reach without the support of the Geelong Youth Engagement (GYE) Foundation, which supports people living in the Barwon and Greater Geelong areas.
It’s one of the initiatives which has received funding from the Jellis Craig Foundation’s Community Contribution Fund (CCF).
“We’ve been able to help marginalised young people in Geelong and Barwon Heads with projects that give them opportunities,” Jellis Craig Foundation general manager Elizabeth Morello said.
“It’s about transformational support for those who need it most.”
The GYE program equips young people with resilience, practical skills, and character-building experiences, helping them overcome barriers and thrive.
The GYE Foundation is just one example of how the Jellis Craig Foundation is making a hyper-local impact on communities in metropolitan and regional areas.
The Geelong Youth Engagement (GYE) Foundation equips equips young people with resilience and character-building experiences. Picture: Supplied
Through its CCF program, the foundation empowers its staff to sponsor grassroots initiatives, ensuring that help reaches their communities.
The fund can provide grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, depending on the project.
Jellis Craig Foundation board member and Jellis Craig group general manager Nick Carah said giving back to the community was important.
“It’s important for us to provide engaging opportunities for our staff to connect with the people in their communities,” Mr Carah said.
“It’s great to see our people rolling up their sleeves and finding ways to get involved and support projects and initiatives in their local communities.”
Backing communities
The Castlemaine Community House Food Pantry in the regional town of Castlemaine is another project that the CCF has backed.
The pantry operates on a ‘take what you need’ basis, offering dignified food support without means testing.
For families facing food insecurity, this initiative has been a lifeline.
Ms Morello said the fund contributed about $10,000 to the community house and had received really positive feedback from the community.
“I love the Castlemaine Community House because of what our contribution was able to unlock for their community,” she said.
The Playground Project is an innovative environment for children’s learning and play. Picture: Supplied
Ms Morello said the pantry not only addressed immediate needs but also fostered a sense of connection.
She said it was powerful for Jellis Craig staff to see the direct impact of their contributions on the community.
“When it’s actually around the corner from you, it hits differently,” Ms Morello said.
The fund has also supported projects in metropolitan areas, including the Playground Project in Melbourne.
Set to open in June this year, the Playground Project will offer children a unique environment for learning and play, with a strong focus on sustainability and Indigenous connections.
Ms Morello said the funding was dedicated to the Schools Program, enabling local schools to participate in guided excursions and access educational resources.
Jellis Craig Foundation board member Nick Carah said giving back to the community was important. Picture; Supplied
The project aligned with the foundation’s values of inclusivity and sustainability, ensuring that children from all backgrounds could benefit, she said.
Since its establishment in 2013, the Jellis Craig Foundation has raised more than $3 million for its partners, projects and communities.
It has supported key partners including Hands Across the Water, the Big Umbrella and the Resilience Project during its time.
But as the CCF has demonstrated, some of its most profound impacts were felt closest to home.
“The beauty of the community fund is that it’s always on,” he said.
“It provides continual opportunities for staff to connect with the community at the grassroots level.”
From the city to regional centres, the foundation’s work has shown that supporting local projects can make a big difference to communities.
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