When we started Play It Forward, we knew we wanted your donations to go somewhere local and hands-on, and somewhere you could actually see the impact. That's why we chose Trilogy Foundation Canterbury Bankstown as one of our partner charities.
I'm Andrea, the founder of Mini Marketa. This is the first in a short series where we introduce you to the charities behind Play It Forward, so you can see exactly where your support ends up.
Trilogy Foundation Canterbury Bankstown is a not-for-profit and registered charity that advocates for and raises funds to support children with disabilities across the Canterbury Bankstown area. They were formed in 2016 by a small group of parents and community-minded people who saw a gap: there are essential resources that children with special needs require that aren't available through the NDIS or the Education Department, or are difficult to access through other channels.
So they decided to fill that gap themselves.
All seven members of Trilogy Foundation CB are dedicated volunteers. Every dollar raised goes directly to projects for the children. Funds come through fun community events like fetes, trivia nights and Christmas in July events - take it from me, I've been to many of them, and they're always fantastic evenings! They also receive generous donations from local supporters and businesses. Since they started, they've raised well over $100,000.
That number alone is impressive, but what really hit me was hearing about where those dollars have gone. Below, we interview the lady at the helm, the President of the Trilogy Foundation Canterbury Bankstown, Maureen!
What kinds of programs and equipment have your donations funded?
"Trilogy has supported schools and Special Education Units right across the area, including Caroline Chisholm, George Bass, Yagoona Public, Broderick Gillawarna, Wangee Park, Bankstown Public, and Bankstown North Public.
Some of the projects they've funded include:
- Swimming programs with one-on-one instructors, because children in support units can't learn in a group setting and would otherwise miss out on water safety entirely
- Custom-built bikes and tricycles with helmets and road safety signs, giving kids who grow up in apartments the chance to learn road safety and the mechanics of riding a bike
- Boccia ramps, so children can practise properly and compete in state competitions (before the ramps, they were passing the ball through a downpipe)
- Music therapy classes at Bankstown Public School, helping children learn coordination, cooperation and following instructions through making music
- Exercise physiology programs with one-on-one student interaction
- Interactive whiteboards that let teachers display their screens on a wall-mounted board so all students can see
- Electronic communications equipment and software for non-verbal children
- Sensory equipment and sensory gardens
- Floor mats for gym areas, so children can exercise and play safely
- A custom hand-pedalled bike for a child unable to pedal normally
- Dancing lessons
- A communal playhouse with interactive play equipment at Bankstown North Public School, designed so special needs students can interact and play alongside all the other kids
And starting this year, all public primary schools in the Bankstown LGA will incorporate Special Needs Units, which means the demand for these kinds of resources is only going to grow."
Across all the schools you've supported, is there a moment that's really stayed with you?
"The feedback from the teachers always has an impact on me, and confirms why we do what we do.
If we didn't sponsor the swimming program, the support unit children would miss out on swimming safety, which is so important. They would miss out because these classes require more swimming instructors, one per child, as they're unable to learn in a group.
The trikes help with road safety and the mechanics involved with using a bicycle. Many children grow up in units and will never have this opportunity.
The Boccia Ramps have also made an impact on me, because before the ramps, the children were using a downpipe to pass the ball through. Now they can practise properly and enter state competitions.
The music therapy always has an impact on me, as I can see how much the children love it and look forward to it."
What's one thing you wish more people understood about children with disabilities?
"Children with disabilities should be given the same opportunities as mainstream children. They often miss out."
As you can see, these kids aren't asking for special treatment, they're asking for the same chances as other kids that many of us take for granted.
How can people get involved?
"To get involved right now, on our website we have our upcoming events, and we also have a Donate Now page for sponsors or anyone wishing to donate to our cause. Trilogy Foundation Canterbury Bankstown has DGR status, which means your donation is tax-deductible."
You can find Trilogy Foundation Canterbury Bankstown at www.trilogyfoundationcb.com.au, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/trilogyfoundationcb.
If you'd like to learn more about Play It Forward and how it works, head to www.minimarketa.com/pages/play-it-forward
