Federal Member for Throsby Stephen Jones today welcomed the announcement that seven local community organisations will receive more than $1.2 million from the Australian Labor Government to improve education, training and employment opportunities for people in Shellharbour.
Lighthouse Community Care, Southern Youth and Family Services, The Salvation Army, Access Community Group, Illawarra Aboriginal Corporation, House of Hope Recovery Centre and Shellharbour Aboriginal Community Youth Association were all successful in the second round of the Local Solutions Fund.
Minister for Human Services, Senator Jan McLucas today announced the successful projects and said she was looking forward to seeing the projects put into action.
The projects that have been allocated funding have been designed by the local community, for the local community, Senator McLucas said.
By relying on local knowledge and expertise, we can improve the lives of people in a community. Thats why supporting these projects is so important.
TheLocal Solutions Fundis part of the Australian GovernmentsBetter Futures, Local Solutionsinitiative, which identified ten regions around Australia where help is needed to improve employment, education and social participation.
The Salvation Armys Retail Plus project, was one of the great local programs funded by the first round of theLocal Solutions Fund, said Stephen Jones.
So far it has helped young parents and jobless families in the Shellharbour region get the skills and qualifications they need to work in the retail sector.
Not only do the participants now have increased confidence and self esteem, many of them have already gained employment, said Jones.
The new projects will build on the up-skilling and education opportunities currently in Shellharbour and focus particularly on increasing employment opportunities for young and Indigenous people said Jones.
For the full list of the funded projects and more information on the Local Solutions Fund visithumanservices.gov.au/bflsor speak to the Shellharbour Community Action Leader, Carol Lymbery on 0409 809 467.
