Eastern Star Foundation directors recently attended a World Wellness Group multicultural seniors’ social group with members of the Australian Communities Foundation to see firsthand the impact that their grant was making.
Last year, World Wellness Group received a grant for $100,000 from the Eastern Star Foundation to establish their Multicultural Seniors Social Link Program. Due to the program’s success, a further $100,000 has bee awarded in this year’s grant round to help run the program for a further twelve months. An external evaluation of the program is also being conducted to build evidence of its impact and to assist with securing longer-term funding.
The program, which now has around 65 Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) seniors on Brisbane’s Northside engaged with it each month, has proven successful in helping them to connect locally to information, resources, and social activities that are culturally appropriate and safe.
Eastern Star Foundation’s Board Secretary, Beth Littler, said that the visit was enlightening and extremely satisfying as a Director, to witness firsthand the benefits that the Foundation’s Grants afford to organisationa and communities such as the Wellness Group.
“Having the opportunity to meet, speak with and simply spend time with the recipient’s clients at a regular programmed event was extremely rewarding,” said Beth.
“Watching their smiling faces, sharing in their laughter and experiencing the sheer happiness that abounded despite the fact there was significant language barriers between individuals was awesome.
“It reassured me that as a Board we are achieving great things.”
