An internet cafe for people aged 12-24 was officially opened by Blacktown Youth Services Association’s drop-in centre, which is part of Lalor Park Community Centre.

The initiative aims to deliver a series of workshops to assist young people in gaining employment and educational opportunities. Natalie Chiappazzo, service provision manager at the association, said this was a wonderful initiative for youths in the area.

”Having the internet cafe here will be an asset for the young people in the Lalor Park community,” she said. ”The opportunities this cafe will create will be plentiful, including several arts and cultural programs, community events and vocational training opportunities.”

The project has been funded through Community Foundation of North Western Sydney and Officeworks, Castle Hill.

It has also been welcomed by local groups including Common Groundz Community Cafe, The Art Club, and also TAFE NSW and Blacktown Council.

The foundation’s secretary, Bill Dixon (who played a major role in setting up the cafe), and Blacktown Labor councillor Leo Kelly were at the opening. The internet cafe will be open on Tuesdays from 3pm-6pm and Thursdays from noon-3pm.

Officeworks Castle Hill has for some time been anxious to be involved in being recognised as part of and contributing to the Community in which we do business.

“When we were approached by the Community Foundation of North Western Sydney to partner with themselves and Blacktown Youth Services Association to set up an Internet Cafe to help the Disadvantaged within our community, we saw it as an opportunity beneficial to all parties and in line with our philosophy of being involved in the Community.”

• Officeworks Castle Hill

One family with a disabled child was unable to afford to repair their purpose built vehicle, so the Foundation was able to contribute funds to complete the repairs.

The other family comprised a grandmother whose daughter had passed away, so was left to take care of the 4 grandchildren, and her other daughter with 3 children,  who is also living there. Their house had a badly leaking roof causing severe internal damage, which the insurance company would not repair until the roof was fixed. The Foundation was able to contribute funds to the repair and coordinate other organsations to assist.

The programme’s unique approach is solution-focused, utilising the experience of their peers to find solutions to issues affecting their lives. These issues range from bullying, coping with family separation, to anti-social behaviour, to binge drinking and drug use. Young people establish goals and new positive directions. It is a programme of caring for each other without judgement, empowerment, realising inner strength to achieve positive outcomes.

The Community Foundation of North Western Sydney is an independent, not for profit, charitable organisation that assists people in crisis or those that are socially isolated living in the North-Western region of Sydney, and “the Foundation was delighted to be in a position to assist with such a project as Youth Insearch” the Chairman Geoff Green stated.

“We are a new Foundation just finding our feet – much like the kids at Youth Insearch” said Geoff. “There is a real synergy between our organisations, in the true sense of the word, and I can see no reason not to build on our initial support of Youth Insearch in the future” he went on to say.

Emma McPherson, Youth Insearch, is presented with a cheque for $1200 by Chairman Geoff Green at a recent Board Meeting of the Foundation

“Part of the charter of the Community Foundation of North Western Sydney is to work with the youth of the area and we are planning a youth space for the isolated youth of the rural areas of the local government areas as part of our plan for the remainder of the year” the Chairman stated.

“The future of this nation rests with these young people and both Emma McPherson – Youth Liaison – Youth Insearch and the Foundation will work together to ensure they are well equipped to take the reins” Geoff said.

• Find out more about how Community Foundation helps the community »

The cruise is along the spectacular Hawkesbury River from Windsor. It includes a 3 course dinner, and a  chance for you to meet with local celebrities. 

Cost is just $60 per person and all profits from the day will go towards helping the disadvantaged in our community.  Come along, we promise you a great evening.

Did you know that 3 shires in the North West Region are considered as highly disadvantaged and the other two are considered disadvantaged – according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)?

In the North Western Region of Sydney there is a population approaching 1 million people. The ABS statistics show that the level of disadvantage ranges from 22% to 34% which means that there is as many as 200,000 in  our community that need some assistance or are in crisis. Fortunately, in our society our welfare system is able to help. However, there is never enough money to satisfy the need; it is the mission of the Community Foundation of North Western Sydney to help bridge the gap, and provide solutions for those with the greatest need.