The Lake Haven YMCA has been awarded almost $15,000 to train two people to deliver a Teen Mental Health First Aid program to 60 young people.
Two ‘Y NSW’ workers will deliver the program which empowers young people to provide mental health peer support to their friends and community.
The project, called CoastTeen, will provide young people the skills to support each other, develop resilience strategies, early intervention tools, recognise signs and symptoms, be empowered to offer support, know the pathways to engaging further assistance and learn about their own mental health and coping mechanisms.
As Lake Haven is in the Central Coast LGA it was eligible to apply for these grants supporting recovery and resilience following the March 2021 floods.
Foundation for Rural and Regional Recovery (FRRR), in partnership with Suncorp Group, has awarded $200,000 in grants to 17 community groups and local not-for-profits in rural areas impacted by the March 2021 floods and storms for initiatives that will support their recovery from the disaster.
Funded through FRRR’s Rebuilding Futures program, grants awarded ranged from $1,573 to $15,000.
This funding is designed to help with projects such as restoring damaged infrastructure, improving buildings and maintaining equipment needed for future disaster events, developing local disaster-response knowledge and skills, and providing access to services that foster recovery.
They are the first to come from Suncorp Group’s $1M pledge to FRRR to support rural Australian communities impacted by, or vulnerable to, significant natural disasters.
FRRR CEO Natalie Egleton said the grant recipients have shown a sense of resolve and strength when it comes to rebuilding.
“Recovery is not a quick process – not every community is going to have the capacity to take the same steps at the same time.
“Despite this, and the challenges of COVID-19 and volunteer fatigue, we’ve been genuinely impressed by the drive of local groups to actively seek support and funding to help their communities recover from the floods.
“It’s this kind of resilient spirit and motivation that will see these communities thrive once again,” she said.
Suncorp Group CEO Steve Johnston said these grants will enable recipients to overcome challenges and take control of their futures.
“Our remote, rural and regional communities know how to come together and work to rebuild their own futures. That’s why grant programs like these, that champion community-led recovery, are so crucial,” said Johnston.
Nicola Riches