Project Spotlight

Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to give directly for this project.

Organisation	Mee Wee Community Coalition
Project Name	Opportunities for Life for Indigenous People

It is well known that Indigenous people have had limited access to education and training and that disproportionately large numbers are long term welfare dependents who are beset by associated social/psychological problems such as drug and alcohol abuse and family violence. It is also well known that access to education and training can provide significant opportunities for employment and with it more positive and broadened life chances.

To address these issues Mee Wee Community Coalition has offered welfare services to some 3-4000 clients per year. In recent times the coalition has decided to seek funding to purchase a small business which will also house a skill centre. The aim of this initiative is to enable clients whose problems are stabilised through the coalition's welfare services to enter training programs and employment opportunities all based within an environment that clients have come to know and trust. In short a one stop shop to life. Over time it is anticipated that the coalition will be able to self fund its activities through income generated by the business.

To achieve this, government funds have been obtained to fund the initial costs of equipping the skill centre and for the purchase of the business.

An ongoing issue, however, is the funding required to enable the continuance of welfare services, the delivery of accredited training by registered tutors and to support the employment of trainees to work within the business or elsewhere. Demand for opportunities that the coalition can offer is already high. Any additional funding will therefore enable the possibility of offering a secure and self-reliant future to increasing numbers of clients and their families.

The success of this project will be continuously evaluated by reference to the numbers of clients who are able to stabilise their life situation, engage in training and employment and the extent to which the incidence of crisis is declining.

Can donors/grantmakers give directly for this project? Yes

If so, how? Donations can be made by cheque to:
Mee Wee Community Coalition Inc
13 Taminga Avenue
Glenunga SA 5064

Is there an allowance for administration costs?
Donors can request that 100% of their donation go to the Opportunities for Life for Indigenous People Project. However, in general, an allowance of 10% is made for administration costs and any donations that also provide for administration costs are greatly appreciated.

Contact details for further information:
Mr Doug Redpath, Coordinator, Mee Wee Community Coalition. Mobile: 0408 232 122