The Rotary Club of Essendon and Caroline Chisholm Society have had a long-term and successful partnership since 2007. Over those years Rotary Essendon has assisted the Society to provide support to mothers and families in need with food and warm clothing, access to safe and stable accommodation and other support services. This support has helped those families to live in a safe and nurturing environment. Rotary Essendon has sourced and provided many valuable items over this time, such as a car, computers, clothing and other necessities.
Established in 1969, the Caroline Chisholm Society is a non-denominational charitable organisation that provides a range of programs for families in need, including counselling, housing, material aid and in-home family support. Caroline Chisholm, the Society’s namesake, was a 19th-century English humanitarian, well known for her support of immigrant female and family welfare in Australia.
Rotary Essendon made a successful application for a Rotary Foundation District Local Grant to support the Society. With COVID-19 pandemic causing an increased demand for the services provided by the Society, the grant has provided funding for warm winter clothing for newborns and children aged 2-6 years. The Club was able to source good quality clothing, taking advantage of store specials from Target, Woolworths and Best and Less, which enabled the purchase of additional items with the available funds. The grant also meant basic food items could be purchased from Boundys IGA, Essendon. The Society has been able to distribute the food and clothing to clients experiencing hardship and requiring support, and in some cases, clothing items have now been recycled and passed on to other siblings, babies, or young children.
This is another example of ‘Rotary Opening Opportunities’ through The Rotary Foundation, District 9800 and Rotary Essendon assisting Caroline Chisholm Society provide much needed support to the community. The gratitude expressed by the Society has been overwhelming.