ECEC service donates $150,000 to disadvantaged youth as centre closes

The former management of St Thomas’ Childcare Centre in Rozelle, New South Wales, have turned a sad moment in the history of the service into an opportunity to make a profound difference in the lives of children and families through the donation of more than $150,000, Third Sector have reported. 

Speaking with the online publication, President of the St Thomas’ Childcare Centre, Jenny Cleary, explained that the closure of the centre last year, following a reported decision by the church to not renew the centre’s lease had forced the management committee to cease trading. 

The bulk of enrolled children were transferred to another centre, she said, however the process of ceasing the management entity from an administrative perspective had forced the committee to explore the best way to use the cash reserves. 

“Before this journey officially comes to an end, we wanted to use our cash reserves to help many more, less fortunate, children and their families,” Ms Cleary told Third Sector.

The committee participated in an event run by The Funding Network on 25 September, through which the funds were a springboard for additional fundraising. As a result, Third Sector said, a total of  $260,000 was raised for the chosen charities.

The Funding Network supports grassroots non-profits with under $1million annual turnover and they connect causes needing support with those who want to help. The St Thomas’ funds were shared between KidsXpress, The Pyjama Foundation, and Deadly Connections. 

KidsXpress, Third Sector said, will use the funding to pilot a new program aimed at younger children, aged zero to five, aiming to transform the lives of children impacted by adversity through leading trauma-informed expressive therapy and education programs.

The Pyjama Foundation will use the funding to help screen, recruit and train more volunteers to support foster children in Sydney, while Deadly Connections will use the funding to launch its Parents and Bubs service, with a goal is to reduce the risk of child protection intervention and child removal in these communities by supporting and empowering Aboriginal parents.

Ms Cleary said the Committee were very happy to be able to leave a legacy and have a significant positive impact on preschool-aged children and their families in need. 

“As the community gives a final farewell to St Thomas’ Childcare Centre, we are looking forward to hearing that we, as a community, have made a difference,” she told Third Sector.

To read the original coverage of this story, as written by Third Sector, please see here.