Good cause: Education First Youth Foyer Shepparton presents VincentCare’s Marian Community with a cheque for $9000, following a fundraising dinner in November.
Photo by
Anna McGuinness
Education First Youth Foyer Shepparton raised $9000 in partnership with Bill and Beat’s Mooroopna through a fundraising dinner for local victim-survivors of family violence.
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The Foyer’s Sophie Matthews helped organise the event, which had to be postponed due to the floods and was ultimately held on November 25.
With dreams of being a wedding planner, Ms Matthews said it was the perfect opportunity to be part of organising the event, and even stepped up last minute to emcee.
“I’m very grateful I was able to have this opportunity to do this and it was for a really good cause,” she said.
“Everything worked out and everyone had a wonderful time — the food and music were great and all the kids who helped out had a nice time.”
Proud result: Marian Community program manager Rachel Williams and Education First Youth Foyer's Sophie Matthews.
Photo by
Anna McGuinness
There were 100 people at the event held at Bill and Beat’s in McLennan St, Mooroopna, with funds raised going to VincentCare’s Marian Community.
The service provides a 24/7 specialist family violence crisis response in the Goulburn Valley and program manager Rachel Williams said all funds raised were used to directly support local victim-survivors.
“It’s an incredible opportunity, one of which we’re very grateful for,” Ms Williams said.
“On the evening it was also an opportunity for us to talk about family violence — it’s sometimes a taboo subject so it really opens up that dialogue.”
Ms Matthews encouraged people to support Marian Community, but she also wanted to spread awareness about Education First Youth Foyer.
“Before I got here I barely knew what the Foyer was,” she said.
“I didn’t know how to do washing before I came here — it’s great, I’ve developed so much independence.”
Education First Youth Foyer supports up to 40 young people at a time, providing safe and secure accommodation while they study, and support and skills to become independent adults.
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