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Our Aim at Chances for Children is to address economic and social disadvantage in the Mallee by working to remove financial obstacles, which inhibit the achievements of young people in the region.

Chances is committed to ensuring that young people in the Mallee have the opportunity to reach their potential irrespective of their financial and social circumstances and we believe that in turn, this can strengthen the capacity of the communities in which they live.

The program is based on a self-help model of community building and has relevance for many regions in Australia. It is a great example of how communities across a large region have harnessed the energy and resources of local people. It is a great example of how the energy and resources of local people, businesses, corporations and community organisations across a large region have been harnessed to address a key community issue.

    The program consists of 2 discrete components:

1. Financial Assistance – A Fund was created in 2000 to which upon   application by a referring professional, financial assistance can be sought to assist with the needs of a young person in relation to cultural, social or educational pursuits.

2. Mentoring Program – Offered to young people in receipt of financial assistance from the fund used to pursue tertiary education. (Tertiary education refers to any level of training or education post secondary school).

Where does the Money come from?

Initial seed funding for the program was provided by a variety of sources    and through arrange of strategies.

• The Sustaining Supporters Program – a local initiative in which individuals and organisations pledge to donate $1000 per year for a period of 3 years.

• Philanthropic Trusts
• Universities
• Corporate Support
• Government Funding
• Salary Deduction Schemes
• Donations
• Fund Rising Events.

With the effects of the drought hitting an already depressed agricultural sector in the Mallee, the demands on the program have increased significantly and the financial sustainability of the program is an ongoing concern for program managers. See “Supporting Us” for further information.

100% of all donations made to the Chances For Children Fund go directly to the recipients of the program. Program and staffing costs are currently covered by funding grants received from a range of philanthropic trusts and government funding bodies.

Achievements

Since the program commenced in 2000, approximately $2 million has been raised & distributed to 430 young people and their families throughout the Mallee. This support has enabled young people to achieve goals in cultural, social or educational pursuits, which may not otherwise have been within their reach.

What is the money used for?

Grants of financial assistance are provided to support a broad range of needs such as:

• Secondary school students unable to take up offers of tertiary education because of financial hardship have been assisted with the costs associated with tertiary education.
• Young people with disabilities unable to participate in  full  time education because of a shortfall in the provision of integration support have been assisted with ‘top up’ funding to enable full participation.
• Young people with artistic, sporting or other talents have been assisted to develop their skills.
• A young person unable to take up an offer of employment as an apprentice because of alack of finances to acquire a motor vehicle license was assisted with the costs of driving lessons and driving test.