Goodstart launches workplace giving initiative

Goodstart Early Learning have announced an opportunity this week for all Goodstart employees and board members to support children who are struggling to access early learning through the Giving@Goodstart initiative.

Saying that workplace giving was a powerful way to make a difference, Goodstart CEO Julia Davison outlined the Early Learning Fund (ELF) which will identify and support children who may otherwise be unable to access early learning.

Ms Davison encouraged all those eligible to donate $1 per week, saying donations could help hundreds of children in Goodstart Early Learning centres in the two years prior to formal schooling.

“The beauty of Giving@Goodstart is that everyone across the organisation – from educators to the executive team – now have the opportunity to contribute a small amount to help children thrive and launch into learning with ELF’s preschool scholarships,” Ms Davison said.

Outlining that the program is intended to support those families who have already exhausted all government funding opportunities – or those families who are not eligible to receive government assistance – Ms Davison said the ELF program would assist children who are experiencing sudden hardship, children from refugee families, children who are vulnerable, and some children from Indigenous backgrounds.

“We know that when we come together there is no limit to what we can achieve or overcome, which is why we’re so proud that Goodstart’s new workplace giving program will be supporting a project so close to all of our hearts.” Ms Davison said.

The ELF program is now supported by four of the nation’s leading not-for-profits; the Benevolent Society, C&K Childcare and Kindergarten, Goodstart Early Learning and Uniting Care Australia. Data collected by ELF partners will be used to help lobby governments around Australia to do more to support children experiencing hardship.

Saying that Giving@Goodstart would help all staff to take the next step in their commitment to the nation’s children, Ms Davison invited them to “get on board this wonderful cause and contribute in the knowledge they can and will make the lives of Australian children happier and healthier.”