Debbie’s Place is a home away from home which provides accommodation and support for three teenage girls from the Bellarine who are at risk of not satisfactorily completing their VCE. The girls learn living skills, share responsibilities of household management, prep meals, budget, and can even engage in driver training. This support will equip participants to achieve their potential in VCE/VCAL studies, prepare them for independent living and the careers of their choice. Oversight of the project is provided by a management committee, comprised of representatives from Korus Connect, the Anglican Church and other Bellarine Christian churches.
The Debbie’s Place project is funded by the Fleur Spitzer Sub Fund. Fleur Spitzer OAM is one of Melbourne’s most influential philanthropists. Her daughter Ondine established this Sub Fund allowing us to continue Fleur’s legacy.
Since the 1980s, Fleur has funded projects that assist women and girls who are doing it tough in the face of real and prolonged disadvantage.
The principles of social change and justice have been the cornerstone of Fleur Spitzer’s image of a better world and for this reason the Sub Fund will support projects that:
Grant type: Sub Fund
Amount: $6,176
Year: 2019-20
Website: www.debbiesplacebellarine.com.au/
Debbie’s place has been created to address the issue on the Bellarine Peninsula of VCE-aged girls who do not have a home or family support at this critical time of their education and are often in vulnerable living circumstances.
Debbie’s Place provides a home environment with dedicated live-in staff who will support the students to ensure they have the best chance of completing their VCE. This will not be a share or rooming house, but it will be a home where the girls and managers together will create a home environment that is supportive and nurturing. This is a pilot program with discounted rental accommodation and trained staff.
This Sub-Fund supports projects that increase the literacy, educational opportunities of women and girls or addresses barriers facing older women.
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