Narooma High School's Special Education Teacher, Todd Helton, is raising funds for his special program to enable Aboriginal kids to work towards establishing skills and values to successfully transition from school to the community and the workforce.
He asked the charitable foundation, Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust, for assistance to raise the funds to establish a gardening based program to support students with mental health and behavioural challenges who are aged 15 to 17 years of age. The response from the community has been terrific with $2600 of the required $4000 now raised
Todd told the Beagle " We are so delighted that so many generous and supportive people have enabled first stage to become a reality. This has begun and supplies have been obtained. We feel so encouraged by the wonderful support that you've given towards this great project that we're heading now towards raising the additional funds needed so that 2nd stage can happen quickly as well " "This program will promote the health benefits of fresh foods, outdoor recreation and activities to assist them to develop sound self regulation strategies."
They have decided to extend this appeal so that they can now work towards enabling the second stage of this program to be realised as well.
The second stage will expand to a wider vision which includes a workshop area and water tank for rain collection. To be used to store tools and for bush furniture building and Indigenous artwork and sculptural pursuits.
They needed $1500 for the first stage to purchase:
30m x 900mm ringlock fencing
18 x 2.4m hardwood sleepers
5 bags quick set concrete
5 x 3 metre copper logs
3 bails lucerne mulch
hoops and netting for 3 raised beds
grass seed
screws, tools and gloves
seasonal vegetable punnets for planting
5 cubic metres garden soil
and now Todd can go ahead with the kids to get this program up and running. The community is invited to help raise additional funds towards the second stage.
You can donate on line HERE
Elm Grove Sanctuary Trust was founded in 1983 as a philanthropic foundation working for human rights, social justice, the environment and to offer support, encouragement and hope for all people. We are endorsed by the Australian Taxation Office as a tax exempt charity - ABN 27 003 317 619
Website:www.elmgrovetrust.websyte.com.au
Email: egstrust2@gmail.com Your donation is tax deductable
