Vulnerable residents in the Kensington area will receive one-on-one support to navigate various assistance systems thanks to a grant from energy provider, Jemena.
Kensington Neighbourhood House sought funding to support its Help Hub, a place-based service offering tailored support to vulnerable residents navigating housing, health, disability, and family violence systems. The initiative will assist at least 250 people through 960 one-on-one appointments.
Kensington Neighbourhood House Manager, Rebecca Smith welcomed the funding.
"This grant will make an enormous difference in our neighbourhood. During these times of housing insecurity and cost of living pressures, many of our most marginalised residents are struggling, she said.
"Our Kensington Neighbourhood Help Hub will offer individual support - effectively combating intersecting issues like discrimination, housing insecurity, family violence and isolation. We are very grateful to Jemena for supporting this much needed work."
Now in its seventh year, Jemena's Community Grants Program has already provided about $870,000 in funding to 85 community groups. This includes $70,000 awarded earlier this year to initiatives supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For its second round of grants in 2025, Jemena invited applications for initiatives that address disadvantage from not-for-profit organisations, schools, and charities delivering projects across Jemena's footprint. 16 community groups will share in over $163,000 of funding.
Craig Ypinazar, Jemena's Executive General Manager, People, Safety and Governance said the company was committed to supporting the most vulnerable in the communities in which we operate.
"Local volunteer organisations are at the heart of their communities. We can see from the type of applications we received that cost of living is still a major concerns for many in our community. These grants can go some way towards assisting those who really need it." Mr Ypinazar said.
"This year we have provided assistance to a range of different services including food programs, multicultural outreach programs and an animal rescue that supports disadvantaged pet owners, especially those escaping domestic and family violence."
