Wests shines on Shining Stars with a $6,500 grant and Wests Cares Pantry Appeal
Wests Group Macarthur has provided local organisation Shining Stars with $6,500 via Club Grants funding towards their Youth Mentoring service, a program dedicated to struggling and or homeless Youth in the Macarthur region.
Wests and Shining Stars have determined that the 2020 campaign was to provide younger homeless individuals and struggling families in the region with support. This will include a Youth meal service as well as other much needed resources including sporting equipment that will be used as part of the mentoring program.
This timely contribution comes around the same time as Homelessness Week 2020 whereby the latest research shows Macarthur is experiencing a homelessness crisis with 2,700 people waiting on social housing and nearly 800 people already homeless. Numbers which are expected to increase with Covid-19 pandemic.
Co-Founders Lyn and Kylee are supported by a team of volunteers, cooks and outreach workers who deliver services to the most vulnerable in the region.
Kylee Bentham from Shining Stars shares, “It has been a devastating year with the overall demand for our services busier than ever, so we really do appreciate this support more than ever. Without it, we simply would not be able to do what we do”
Tony Mathew, CEO of Wests Group Macarthur comments “At Wests, we strongly believe in supporting and empowering our community through tailored strategies for the betterment of the region. It is our responsibility to try and support the next generation of adults to be the best they can be. Shining Stars do an exceptional job and we are pleased to contribute to their efforts”
Members of Wests Group Macarthur venues are also invited to support Shining Stars through the contribution of non-perishable pantry Items in the 2020 Wests Cares Pantry Appeal. The Food collection initiative is encouraging donations of long life, tinned and basic pantry food items to be used in take home hampers and food preparation to support the Shining Stars outreach program. Donation Boxes will be available from the reception areas of each Wests Group Macarthur venue for three weeks starting Monday 17th August to Monday 7th September.
Shining Stars Foundation is a non for profit that focuses on the less fortunate, homelessness and disabilities offering outreach and community participation programs across Macarthur, Liverpool, Camden, Wollondilly, and Wollongong with the aim of making a difference to those desperately in need.
Shining Stars current outreach services include:
Monday Services
- Claymore Community Centre Outreach 12pm
- Picton Outreach 4pm
- Bargo Outreach 430pm
- Rosemeadow service 430pm
Friday Services
- Macquarie Fields Service 5pm
- Campbelltown Outreach 4pm
- Narellan Outreach 4pm
- Oran Park Outreach 430pm
- Liverpool Outreach 5pm
- Warragamba Outreach 6pm
Saturday Service
- Wollongong Outreach 1030am
As the Shining Stars mantra goes “Together we Make a Difference”.
