POWER Community Ltd’s Empowering Youth program has won a $28,000 grant courtesy of the Medibank Community Fund.
More than 500 applications from around Australia and New Zealand were submitted to the Medibank Community Fund, which gives money to important community health projects run by organisations either side of the Tasman.
Almost 20,000 people voted for the Medibank Community Fund grant allocation process, with Power Community Ltd finishing as the top ranked organisation at the close of the poll on December 5.
The Empowering Youth program took great strides in 2014 in the classroom and at Alberton Oval.
The program encourages secondary school students to take responsibility for themselves and others through educating participants about the importance of positive decision-making.
Students learn about responsible health, lifestyle, financial and career choices as part of a structured program designed to help them become socially engaged young people in the community.
Topics students learn about include health and well-being, road safety, harm minimisation, role modelling, leadership and goal setting.
Port Adelaide players and elite female athletes act as program ambassadors and speakers throughout the course of the program, which is delivered across three weeks with participant classes (two weeks in school, one at the club).
With the support of new naming-rights partner Beyond Bank and the hugely beneficial funding awarded by the Medibank Community Fund, the Empowering Youth program will be able to engage more students across Adelaide and regional South Australia in 2015, according to Port Adelaide chief executive officer Keith Thomas.
“Port Adelaide is very focused on the community at large and Power Community Ltd has been able to kick goals together with a number of other community organisations this year,” said Mr Thomas.
“Thanks to the votes and support of the public, this generous grant from the Medibank Community Fund will assist Power Community Ltd in getting into more schools and working with secondary students to make positive life choices.
“The Empowering Youth program enjoyed a great deal of success this year, with 41 schools and 1122 students engaged across South Australia.
“I’d like to thank both Medibank and everyone who chose Power Community Ltd as part of the Medibank Community Fund voting period for their support.
“I know the entire Power Community Ltd team are really proud of the support the wider community has shown and are excited about what 2015 promises a result of this funding.”
