Community Assistance Program grants assist local groups

Sunday, 2 December 2018

Children, young people, seniors, people with a disability and residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are just some of the groups to benefit from Council's 2018-19 Community Assistance Program (CAP).

Children, young people, seniors, people with a disability and residents from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are just some of the groups to benefit from Council's 2018-19 Community Assistance Program (CAP).

Penrith Mayor, Ross Fowler OAM presented grants worth over $30,000 for 37 separate projects at a special presentation on 30 November, with each project chosen because of the positive contribution it would make to the social and cultural life of our City.

The funded projects include:

• Community Junction - reactivate neighbourhood centre space for gathering and reconciliation through knowledge sharing and Aboriginal artwork creation
• Empowerability Inc - co-design and create a safe space for people with a disability to explore their sensory needs, with Men's Shed support
• Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services - equipment for women's group to give back to the community
• Paying It Forward Homeless Services - emergency relief for homeless community members in extreme summer weather
• Platform Youth Services - free accredited first aid training for individuals who have previously experienced barriers to training and education
• St Marys North Public School - facilitator and Christmas excursion costs for group supporting young people with autism to develop social skills
• Thornton Community Group - establish a community garden with a strong commitment to social interaction and community connectedness.

Cr Fowler said Council recognises the valuable work of the organisations that were allocated funding, with many relying on the energy, enthusiasm and dedication of the volunteers and (in some cases) limited staff who run them.

"I would like to thank all the grant recipients for their dedication and achievement with minimal resources for the benefit of people across our City," he said.

"Council has always been proud of CAP, which has for 24 years provided assistance to community groups to run activities and projects that benefit local residents."

"Not only does this grants scheme help recipients plan and run events and projects that benefit our community, it helps the organisations themselves build the kinds of skills, resources and networks that enable them to grow," Cr Fowler said.

Photo caption: Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM and Councillors Karen McKeown OAM, Robin Cook and John Thain celebrate with the recipients of Council's 2018-19 Community Assistance Program.

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Sunday, 2 December 2018.