Melbourne Airport Contributes $100,000 to Local Neighbourhood Houses

Melbourne Airport is thrilled to announce the winners of its Community Grants program, which sees 10 local Neighbourhood House centres share in $100,000 of funding.
                                                                                                                            
Hundreds of new migrants and disadvantaged youth are set to benefit from the funds that will be distributed throughout Melbourne’s north-west this week.
 
Among the recipients, include centres that support learning and education outcomes for refugees, and pair residents with training and job opportunities.
 
Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi said he was delighted to be able to support meaningful community projects operating on the airport’s doorstep.
 
“I am extremely proud to provide the 10 Neighbourhood Houses with the funding, giving them the ability to extend or improve their established initiatives that impact the lives of those that need it most,” said Mr Strambi.
 
“As an airport we can help support the community in which we operate in, and we’re confident that these grants will go a long way to assist people and help them succeed.”
 
Launched in May 2019, more than 30 Neighbourhood Houses submitted applications.
 
Melbourne Airport Community Grants Recipients 2019
 
Banksia Gardens Association Incorporated
Project: Banksia Gardens’ Kenley Court Neighbourhood House Study Group
The study group provides an environment for refugees and newly arrived migrants aged 6 to 12 to learn, socialise and pursue interests.
 
Kensington Neighbourhood House Inc
Project: Women Into Work
The initiative will enable the centre to provide individual mentoring to women entering the workforce including skills gap analysis, translating personal strengths into employability skills and resume creation.
 
Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education
Project: Career Planning & Pathway Program
The project gives long-term unemployed and those with low literacy levels the chance to re-enter the workforce through career planning and advice.  
 
Creeds Farm Living and Learning Centre Inc
Project: Creeds Farm Homework Club – Improving educational outcomes for our community
The initiative aims to provide a free weekly homework club for students who need extra support completing studies. The target groups include refugees, students who recently arrived from overseas and economically or socially disadvantaged.
 
Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House Incorporated
Project: English Classes – Free Childcare Program
Funding will allow the Neighbourhood House to staff a free childcare program for students attending English lessons, targeting parents and carers from culturally diverse communities.
 
Farnham Street Neighbourhood Learning Centre
Project: Resilient Refugee Youth
The project connects newly arrived refugees aged 15 to 25 with highly skilled volunteers for mentoring purposes, plus provides access to a psychologist. 

Preston Neighbourhood House Inc (trading as The Bridge Preston)
Project: Tiered Transitional Training
The practical course supports students with learning disabilities to make a successful transition to sustainable employment and further studies, integrating with the centre’s café for workplace training.
 
Duke Street Community House Inc
Title: No Barriers to Learning English
The centre will provide 15 students with the ability to take part in an English course who are not eligible for government subsidy.
 
Wingate Avenue Community Centre
Project: #WorkTOGETHER
The funding will allow the Centre to organise jobs expos aimed at linking local employers to potential employees. It would also allow for quarterly follow up events to strengthen ties with local businesses.

Sydenham Neighbourhood House
Project: Train the Trainer – Training Young People to Deliver Training to Youth Mentors
The initiative links passionate young volunteers with students in the Brimbank municipality to provide study support and leadership.