Blog

Ansvar Insurance, Australia’s leading insurance provider for the Care, Community, Education, Faith and Heritage sectors has announced the 2015/ 2016 recipients of its annual Community Education Program (CEP) grants. The grants are provided to support sustainable programs for Australians under the age of 25, promoting ongoing education, skill training and programs making a significant difference to the lives of the participants.

The Ansvar CEP Grant program was launched in 1994 and to date has donated over $10 million dollars to programs that fall into two categories – Empowerment and Education & Outreach and Support.

“We are very proud of our CEP Grant Program and inspired by the phenomenal  work that this year’s nine recipients do to better the lives of Australia’s young people. Funding for non-profit organisations becomes more and more of a challenge every year, and Ansvar looks forward to watching these amazing organisations make a positive impact in so many people’s lives, said Warren Hutcheon CEO Ansvar.

The nine 2015/ 2016 Ansvar CEP Grant recipients:

1. Australian Refugee Volunteers – ARV Camps Program
2. Courage to Care – The Classroom Project
3. Create Foundation – Create Your Future
4. Down Syndrome Victoria – Down Syndrome Inclusion Support Service
5. Goulburn Mulwaree Council – Be Seen Be Heard Youth Opportunities Program
6. St Vincent De Paul Society QLD – Buddies Days Program – Gympie
7. The Reach Foundation – Grounded
8. Top Blokes Foundation – Building Blokes 2.0
9. WA PYCY Albany – Albany PYCY – Strike II Drug Aware Youth Drop in Centre

Kiri Libbesson, Australian Refugee Volunteers (ARV) Grants Manager is thrilled to receive the grant from Ansvar. The CEP grant will allow ARV to continue to run its programs working with refugee and asylum seeker children living in Sydney.

“Our programs offer these refugee children the opportunity to engage with their peers and with our ARV volunteers while participating in both recreational and developmental activities.  This Ansvar grant will allow ARV to provide higher quality activities and facilitators, ensuring that we can provide the best experience possible for the children,” said Libbesson.

Down Syndrome Victoria’s Executive Officer Sue O’Riley says that the Ansvar grant will assist in improving the learning outcomes of over 70 students with Down Syndrome in Victoria.

“The generous support of Ansvar will allow for us to expand our services in 2016.  Down Syndrome Victoria will be able to employ additional education consultants with a focus on regional Victoria to ensure all students with Down Syndrome have equal access to the specialised services we offer,” said O’Riley.

The Reach Foundation is very grateful for the support provided by Ansvar. General Manager of Development Brad Holland explains that the grants will make a significant difference for the young people who are supported on the Grounded Program.

“Grounded is designed for young people who are disengaged, involved in conflict or bullying, suffering poor self-esteem or considered ‘at-risk’ in their communities.  This grant will enable The Reach Foundation to run a series of Grounded workshops for over 200 young people in 2016,” said Holland.

Melissa Abu Gazelah, Managing Director at Top Blokes Foundation, said the funding will support the Building Blokes 2.0. The project assists young males aged 16-24 years with positive decision making when confronted with anti-social and risk-taking situations.

“The funds will provide disconnected and at-risk young males with opportunities to engage with and be mentored by positive role models. The goal of Building Blokes 2.0 is to support their ability in gaining sustainable employment and building a bright future,” said Abu-Gazelah.

“Ansvar has a strong community focus and we are thrilled to be able to support these organisations. We believe all of Australia’s youth deserve the chance to reach their full potential and through the programs and services offered as a result of the grants we are helping these organisations to make a difference,” says Hutcheon.

About the Community Education Program grant categories

Empowerment and Education: Programs which provide opportunities to develop positive values that lead to healthy lifestyle choices and apositive contribution to our community.

Outreach and Support Programs: Programs that support youths who are at risk or are already experiencing difficulties (such as drug and/or alcohol abuse) through rehabilitation and/or skills training.