Tasmania - Australia
Interweave Arts Association has been facilitating successful art projects since 1999. Focusing on the promotion and education of arts and culture in the community, the association runs several programs including Arts Roar (a disability focussed arts organisation), Manic Productions (arts organisation run by young artists), Streets Alive (youth arts festival) and the Access Arts Link. This program aims to provide artists with a disability the opportunity to work alongside practicing artists to develop their skills and the opportunity to exhibit their work through an ongoing exhibitions programme.
This Grant will assist our programme to foster communication and vibrant creative practice among Tasmanian artists with and without disabilities by providing us with the financial means to organise information sessions, workshops, classes, performances and exhibits for and by artists with disabilities. Kim Schneiders, President, Interweave Arts Association
New South Wales - Australia
SIFE Australia involves students devising, developing and implementing relevant community programs. Encouraged to work autonomously, SIFE teams raise funds to see through their respective projects. The Aboriginal Book Project - Coping with Change will see the creation of a dreamtime storybook doubling as a resource information book, written and illustrated by the Indigenous community in Minto. The text of the book will be transcribed from the community's Elders about how to deal with transition and change - from moving home to transferring to new schools.
New South Wales - Australia
Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD) provides a computer service that enables clients with disabilities to connect with their respective community, re-enter the workforce or continue with educational programs. TAD provides exclusive and innovative custom designed aids, computers and bikes for clients of all ages that have disabilities. The 'In Need of a Friend' program services clients in remote rural areas with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to connect to their community via re-conditioned and modified computers as well as relevant computer tuition.
Technical Aid to the Disabled (TAD), with 31 years experience of caring for children with disabilities, has been able to expand one of its core services to young Australians thanks to a recent grant from Fosters. Geoff Prenter, TAD NSW
New South Wales - Australia
Down Syndrome Association NSW ( DSNSW) is an independent, registered charity established in 1980. The Up, Up and Away Film Project targets young people with Down syndrome and aims to document their journey from childhood to adult independence. The film is part of a three year initiative, funded by the Foundation for Young Australians, that supports and encourages young people with Down Syndrome to pursue life goals. It is hoped DVD distribution of the film can be used as an advocacy, education and training tool not only for people with Down syndrome but also their families, carers, service providers, the broader community and policy makers.
This grant will help fund our DVD- providing a dynamic visual illustration of the practical value of an innovative program designed to provide tangible support networks to young adults with Down syndrome. Phillip Prideaux, DSNSW Executive Officer
New South Wales - Australia
The Nature Conservation Council works to conserve nature and make our towns and cities more sustainable. The Council also runs an education program to build the skills and capacities of landholders, residents and community environment groups.
The Community Climate Connection program aims to harness the groundswell of community action on climate change. Following the implementation of a central online hub in 2007, the Council will commence workshop training in 2008, tailored to suit the needs of up to 120 climate action groups. The workshops will focus on climate change science, communication skills training, local media training and event management.
This Fosters Community Grant will help create a vibrant, collaborative and effective climate movement across NSW. This exciting project will provide essential resources, skills training and advice to the ever growing number of local Climate Action Groups in Australia. Cate Faehrmann, Executive Director, Nature Conservation of NSW
New South Wales - Australia
Learning Links is a children's charity, formed in 1972 by parents and professionals concerned about the lack of specialist educational programs for children with learning disabilities, difficulties and developmental delays. The Helping Children with Acute Needs program aims to improve a child's suitability or eligibility to attend school, their chances of acquiring functional literacy necessary for future scholastic development and the opportunity to improve a child's feelings of self worth and self esteem, thereby decreasing the chance of future depression, substance abuse, criminality or suicide.
Our sincere thanks to Foster's Group for giving children with acute needs and their families a chance for a much brighter future. We are very grateful for your support. Simon Osborn, Chairman, Learning Links
Western Australia - Australia
Incorporated in 1971 and based in Fremantle, the Film & Television Institute (FTI) aims to foster an innovative and diverse screen culture throughout Western Australia. The FTI offers professional development and training programs, as well as equipment and facility provision to emerging & independent filmmakers, youth, seniors, indigenous and regional clients. By screening local film-making efforts at the Bohemia Outdoor Cinema, the FTI continues to be a unique avenue for Australians to contribute to our national screen identity.
We're absolutely delighted with the support from Foster's. The Foster's Community Grant enables us complete the infrastructure and landscaping for the Bohemia Outdoor Cinema, which is a fantastic community venue to showcase local filmmaking talent alongside national and international independent films. Jon Cope, Marketing Manager, FTI
Victoria - Australia
Established in 1999, the Song Room is dedicated to introducing music and creative arts programs to disadvantaged children across Australian schools and communities. Having reached over 100,000 disadvantaged children since 1999, in 2007 The Song Room had up to 70 music Teaching Artists teaching in 200 schools across Australia. The Barkly Community Rhythm Project in the Northern Territory is a two-year early intervention project for children, youth and families in remote indigenous communities. The project has been implemented at selected primary schools and aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and juvenile crime through a music and creative arts workshop program, thereby enhancing participants' social skills, self-esteem, learning outcomes and community engagement. This project will work in partnership with the Indigenous Coordination Centre to develop skills and qualifications of local aboriginal men and women to achieve sustainable outcomes.
We are absolutely delighted with the Foster's Community Grant, which will directly help us deliver our unique music and creative arts programs to some of Australia's most disadvantaged and isolated Indigenous youth and communities.
Victoria - Australia
Established in 1982 and employing over 350 staff, Greening Australia partners with business, government and community to achieve sustainable environmental outcomes in the area of salinity, declining water quality, soil degradation, biodiversity and climate change. The Dights to Bay Yarra River Restoration Project aims to engage the Melbourne community and local industry in river restoration activities along the lower reaches of the Yarra, from Dights Falls to Port Phillip Bay. The project gives individuals and groups the chance to become involved on an ongoing basis in restoring degraded sections of the river and replanting local flora. The project involves hands-on volunteer activity days and aims to educate individuals about the importance of the river and key threats to river health.
Greening Australia is excited to be working with Foster's on this project. Their support enables us to engage with a broader cross section of the community and raise awareness of the significant environmental values of the Yarra River whilst undertaking practical work to further protect and enhance these values. Glen Terry, Manager Port Phillip & Westernport Region, Greening Australia
Victoria - Australia
Delivered to key Melbourne communities by circus and performance professionals, the Westside Circus' JUMPJET Circus Project is designed to build young refugee people's self esteem following their arrival to Australia through a cultural development process that is relevant and engaging to refugee young people. By giving young refugees the opportunity for learning, interacting, and leadership development, JUMPJET hopes to build a sense of belonging to a community within this group of recent migrants. The project is structured in such a way that it offers pathways for participants to build self-esteem and confidence, through circus skill development, performance making, public performance and leadership training.
For many refugee young people, circus is about having permission to be a young person again - a serious gap from all the years surviving in refugee camps. Playing, singing, dancing, hanging off a trapeze, in a supported and creative environment, means that they get to feel good about who they are and most importantly - they can belong. Carol Espinoza, JUMPJET Circus Manager, Westside
Victoria - Australia
Gateway BEET is a community organisation offering business and lifestyle training as well as internet access to the Hopetoun community and surrounding district. Gateway BEET's Computers for Communities initiative aims to provide up-to-date computer access to households experiencing financial difficulties due to severe drought conditions, further exacerbated by the departure of many small businesses from the local area.
With the evolving economic climate the Foster's Grant has enabled Gateway Beet to provide accessible computers for our community. The provision of this technology is paramount as an educational tool for all generations, linking our rural community with the ever-changing world. Grant Wilson, Chairperson, Gateway BEET
Victoria - Australia
The Chances for Children program and its new initiative, 'Industry Based Mentoring' enables tertiary students to return to the Mallee region to gain work experience relevant to their tertiary study. The Industry Based Mentoring initiative provides mentoring to tertiary students throughout the year, as well as giving them hands-on industry experience related to their tertiary studies. The aim of the initiative is to encourage young people to consider the benefits of returning to their local community.
The Industry Mentor Project provides an exciting extension to the Chances for Children program.... Local businesses will also benefit by promoting the benefits of coming back to the region for work and sharing their skills. We are excited to be able to begin this new initiative in partnership with Foster's. Fiona Harley, Manager Chances for Children & Deputy Executive Director
United States
Friends of the Napa River is a community organization dedicated to the restoration and protection of California's Napa River and its watershed. Foster's Community grant will fully fund its Watershed Education Program. This three-year program will provide local teachers with opportunities to create and implement curriculums that will take students out of the classroom and give them first-hand learning experiences in the importance of maintaining a healthy watershed.
Friends of the Napa River has been able to expand its in-school eduation program with this generous grant from Foster's. This grant will enable high school and middle school science teachers in the Napa River watershed to epand their lessons with new material and field studies in ten schools. Richard Niemann, Project Coordinator
United States
Girls Inc. provides after-school and summer programs to help girls achieve academically, physically and emotionally. It serves girls ages 5 to 18 who primarily come from minority and low-income families. The Fit Girls and Families project provides girls with nutritional education and physical fitness programs to help prevent childhood obesity and increase self-esteem.
We are pleased to have Foster's Wine Estates Americas as one of our partners in our continuing efforts to provide programs to inspire girls and their families to be Strong, Smart and Bold. Lucy Santana, Executive Director
United States
Friends of the Urban Forest is a neighborhood-based community tree planting organization with a 26-year track record of environmental enhancement. Foster's Community Grant will support the planting and care of 1,000 new trees with a minimum height of 10 ft. in more than two dozen urban neighborhoods throughout San Francisco. The program works with community organizations to train volunteers on proper tree care and educates the public about the benefits of trees and their importance in reversing the impacts of climate change and global warming.
Foster's $20,000 grant will help Friends of the Urban Forest plant 900 street trees in our community based tree plantings in 2008. It will also support our youth tree care programs which trains and employs 14-18 year olds in urban forestry skills in San Francisco. Kelly Quirke, Executive Director
United States
For more than 100 years, LifeCare Alliance has been serving Central Ohio senior citizens who are homebound and suffering from chronic illnesses. Foster's Community Grant will provide nursing, therapy, social work and nutritional services free of charge to local residents battling cancer who are unable to pay for care themselves.
As you know, individuals recently diagnosed with cancer and those living with cancer face many challenges. Because of your generosity, the Columbus Cancer Clinic will be able to have a significant positive impact on the quality of life of those they serve. Charles W. Gehring, President & CEO
United States
Global Green builds sustainable urban environments and combats global warming through several strategies including green affordable housing, green schools and education. The Holy Cross Project will rebuild houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in an economically disadvantaged section of New Orleans by using sustainable green building practices. The houses will serve as a national model for other communities to learn about the benefits of energy efficiency.
At it's core, The Holy Cross Project is about community ¬ Support from Fosters Community Grants is helping Global Green to leverage and expand the experiences from this groundbreaking development into a fully replicable and exportable model of green affordable housing. Matt Petersen, President & CEO
United States
The Marine Mammal Center has rescued and treated more than 12,000 seals, otters, porpoises and other sea animals in Northern California over the past 30 years. Its Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release Program not only provides rescue operations but also studies the causes of marine mammal disease to gain scientific data about ocean health and how the state of our seas can impact the quality of human life.
The generous support of Foster's is helping the Center to rescue marine mammals in need of help, including those from threatened and endangered species, as well as to gain valuable insight into marine mammal health and what this tells us about the state of our oceans, upon which all life depends. Maria Vierra, Development Grantwriter
