Macquarie Fields after school care program grows
John (right) and Dan (left) from the Westpac Product Team, with Macquarie Fields Mission Team Leader Margaret Last at the after school program. (Photo by Nathalia Rickwood)
The Macquarie Fields community centre’s after school program is now open five days a week, thanks to generous support from Westpac.
The Salvation Army-run program, which previously operated from Monday to Thursday, provides a safe place for children to come they can do their homework, play, and have a hot meal.
Salvation Army Macquarie Fields Mission Leader Margaret Last says when the program only ran four days a week, many children were not properly fed until they arrived again the following Monday.
“That was our motivation behind trying to find somebody that would actually give us support so that we could open on a Friday, because there was a great need for it,” says Ms Last.
The program often hosts special guests, and each month runs a multicultural day, where the children have a chance to learn about a different country.
The Westpac Product Team, based in Sydney’s city centre has supported Macquarie Fields both financially and practically. Westpac regularly send out teams of volunteers to carry out maintenance jobs around the community centre.
Product Manager for Westpac Mortgage Product Deborah Dalgliesh says the partnership her team has built with The Salvation Army has been a fantastic experience.
“We decided to direct our efforts to a specific local community, which allows us to really see the impact of our partnership. We provide hands-on support through team volunteer days and also direct our fundraising efforts there,” says Ms Dalgliesh.
Salvation Army Eastern Territory Fundraising Director Leigh Cleave says the Westpac team has shown a genuine desire to make a difference within this community, providing immediate and practical assistance.
“The combination of the product team's physical hard work with volunteer teams as well as the fundraising work back at the office, has meant a significant difference to the Macquarie Fields team and everyone who goes to the community centre,” says Mrs Cleave.
The after school program has been operating five days a week since the beginning of February.
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