Pictured, from left to right: Tiffany Cullen and Leeanne James (CBA), Martha Thornton and Kylie Dunn (Mercy Community)
As part of the Commonwealth Bank’s Community Donation Program, CBA branches around Australia have the opportunity to donate $500 to organisations making a difference in local communities.
Leeanne James, Branch Manager of the Warwick CBA, wanted to use the grant to support children and teenagers in Warwick.
“I’m not a local, I’m from Stanthorpe,” said Leeanne. “I didn’t know what programs were in the area, so I did a bit of a search to find the best youth programs that were around.”
Leeanne found Mercy Community’s Youth Support Service and phoned up to find out more. “I asked about what they did… what they had on in Warwick… then when the next grant rolled around I was on holidays, but I saw it come up so I called the office and I said ‘We need to put this in!’”
Now, after getting to know more about the program, Leeanne and her team are keen to contribute further, with some art supplies or care packages for the Youth Support Service participants.
As a mother herself, Leeanne said that she knows how challenging those teenage years can be. “Not everyone has the support they need, and those years can be particularly hard for kids,” said Leeanne.
Mercy Community’s Youth Support Service provides a safe, supportive and free space for young people to come and talk to someone about what is going on for them in their lives.
“We meet the young person where they are at that point in their life and we walk beside them each step of the way to help them feel more in control, confident and supported. We work together to understand the young person’s goals and create an action plan and the Youth Support Service then assists the young person for as long as is needed to achieve their goals,” said Martha Thornton, Mercy Community Support Worker.
“The donation from the Commonwealth bank will enable the Youth Support Service to provide art supplies and activities as part of our service to promote relaxation and ease of conversation during our visits with our young people,” said Martha. “Some of the money will also be used to hold an Aboriginal information and art workshop to promote our young people’s cultural awareness.”
For more information about our Youth Support Service, contact our Warwick office on (07) 4617 7600 or email warwick.admin@mercycommunity.org.au
