CEO’S UPDATE –
DERRYCK KLARKOWSKI
We Care started back in 2016 because there were so many disadvantaged and vulnerable children in our region, so much need. What was also clear was that effectively responding to this need was a task larger than any one individual or organization; it was a community challenge, and it required a community response.
Now 8 years later we are so proud that We Care Connect has grown into the community children’s program we dreamt of, and of the amazing community power that has enabled us together to have reached nearly 30,000 children. There was never any doubt that our vision of a community response would become a reality. Thank you, all our volunteers, supporters, donors and funders for being such an important part of the We Care family.
But it gets even better, We Care Connect is also an integral part of a much broader community response. We recently attended a local Grants event, and it was so good to see that we knew everyone in the room. We are so proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with all the other amazing local charities in our amazing community.
Over the past 12-months we have had the privilege to launch or expand key additional programs as we seek to reach more and more children. Examples:
Engaging with groups of high school students for their guidance on how we can better support teenagers – what’s in and what’s out!
Implementing programs to support early childhood development and the transition of disadvantaged 4-year-olds to school.
A small but vital program of providing ‘overnight packs’ to teenagers couch-surfing.
Both our Central Coast and Hunter programs have grown this year, and as expected with Hunter growing at a considerably accelerated rate. This is indeed bitter-sweet as the growth has been driven so much by the increasing disadvantage we are experiencing.
A huge thanks to all our wonderful volunteers – you have worked tirelessly and enormously skillfully with huge dedication, and I am truly grateful and impressed!
My sincere and personal thanks to everyone who has supported We Care Connect this year, for being such a valuable part of We Care. Together we have made a huge difference to the lives of thousands of local children.
THANK YOU – Derryck Klarkowski CEO (volunteer)
