Your Help Really Makes a Difference

Bridges for Learning is a non-government organisation and registered charity. It is funded in part by government contributions and in part by private donations and fees. Bridges for Learning continues to meet the rigorous regulations and evaluations set by government authorities. We have also had to remain well-managed, financial and operating within the parameters of a solid strategic and business plan.

While we receive some government funding to assist with program delivery, the needs of our children and their families are so much greater than this. Our ongoing success relies on the community recognising the value of what we do. We need your understanding and support.

At Bridges for Learning we provide many things, all of which come at a cost. Our early intervention services include:

1. Therapy assessments by a variety of professionals.
2. Individual therapy, such as speech pathology and occupational therapy.
3. Group therapy sessions.
4. Information and education for families and the community.
5. Family care support.
6. Home visitations and home programs.
7. Playgroups and school preparation.
8. Toy and resources library.

These services are available for children up to the age of 12 years who reside in the Southern Highlands. Many families might not be able to utilise these services if they have to travel outside the district or if they have to seek these services individually from independent practitioners.

Research shows that early childhood intervention can:

1. Significantly improve the development and functioning of children with disabilities and developmental delays.
2. Make a substantial difference to the wellbeing of children and their families.
3. Reduce both the child's and the family's dependence on costly specialised services later in life.

We also know it gives choices and choices strengthen hope.

How You Can Make a Difference

Your help can achieve so much for children with special needs and their families.

Donations

Bridges for Learning offers a number of ways you can help by donating to our:

1. General Assistance Fund – helps provide equipment and services to families and children in programs that require additional funds.
2. Educational Fund – to help prepare children for entrance into educational facilities and to help our children be a part of the mainstream community.
3. Fee Assistance Program Fund – families so often need financial assistance for therapies.
4. Autism Fund – helping families provide equipment or therapy for their children with Autism or Asperger's Sydnrome.

Specific projects needing support:

1. Children’s Therapy
• equipment, assessment tools & storage - items ranging from $200 to $2,000
• ‘Preschool Support Program’ - $20,000 p/a
  Supporting preschool children with disabilities and their teachers at the preschool. This provides services to children who have additional needs that do not meet or go beyond government program criteria. Appropriate support during preschool makes a vital difference in preparing for school


2. Parent Resource Support
• Audio visual equipment (for parent education) - $1,700
• Resource Library (books, DVDs, information) - $500
  Supporting preschool children with disabilities and their teachers at the preschool. This provides services to children who have additional needs that do not meet or go beyond government program criteria. Appropriate support during preschool makes a vital difference in preparing for school
• ‘Parent Support Literacy Program’ - $25,000 p/a
  Educational program which teaches parents how to support their young child with disabilities with pre-literacy skills, and preparing them for school.


3. Centre Needs
• Computers (we are short 3) - $1,500 ea
• Client scheduling software - $10,000
  Our manual system is overwhelmed! Scheduling, rostering, room booking, accounting, & reporting software is needed to keep up with increased staff and clients. This software will enable us to reduce our administration time and costs so to improve the proportion of direct service support time with clients.
• Voucher or volunteer for IT support - $2,400 p/a
  Our computers are all out of date and need updated software to be installed, networks to be organised, systems to be cleaned and sorted, etc.

Bridges for Learning has tax deductible status with the Australian Taxation Office.

Membership

Becoming a member of our Association can be a way for you to stay informed of our annual progress and be involved in voting at our Annual General Meeting. Being a member helps us by giving our Association a solid community base and valued input from the community. Members can elect or nominate for a place on the Management Committee of Bridges for Learning. Membership costs $3.

Volunteering

Our organisation has opportunities for people to get involved by helping us with:

• Fundraising
• Computer projects or IT support
• Child care during parent groups
• Handyman or carpentry projects
• Writing grants
• General office work

Professional Assistance - opportunities exist for professionals with relevant qualifications to volunteer their services for the benefit of our children and families:

• Counsellors, Social Workers, Psychologists, or skills with family work
• Marketing, PR, Media
• Business People to assist in business and strategic planning
• Fundraisers
• IT Services
• Any Professional / Management to assist in Management Committee
• Writers, Researchers

"Volunteering helps to keep you active and in touch with people. It's very important to me. I get more out of it than I can put back in." – from a volunteer at Bridges for Learning.

Just contact us for more information on any of the above.

There may be other suggestions you have about how you would like to help. Please share your thoughts with us.

Current Funding & Reporting

Bridges for Learning is a non-government organisation and registered charity, and some of its programs are funded by government departments:

• NSW Human Services – Aging, Disability and Home Care (ADHC)
• NSW Department of Education and Training (DET)
• Commonweatlh Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA)