Overview

Flying Fox runs camps for children with a disability supported by young adult volunteers from the Melbourne Jewish community.

Project Description

Flying Fox Melbourne is striving to create a more inclusive and supportive society. Through running camps, there are several key outcomes, two of the most important are that:

– Flying Fox educates volunteers on how to work with people with special needs and to simply be more tolerant and inclusive in their everyday lives- Flying Fox enhances the lives of people with a disability by providing them with an experience where they can learn independence and gain vital life skills, simply by being supported to be away from their parents for a few days at a time.

Commencement and completion

Ongoing Number of end-users/participants who benefit:

 In 2015 – Approximately 300

Goals:

  1. To support families of children with a disability by providing them with respite.

  2. To provide life changing opportunities for people with a disability.

  3. To forge the path for a new generation of educated youth who can engage with people with a disability, with the ultimate aim of creating a more inclusive society.

How does this project strengthen the Australian Jewish Community?

Flying Fox ensures that the there is support for children with special needs and their families in the Melbourne Jewish Community.

In 2015, Flying Fox will run a training program for up to 70 young Jewish leaders, including 40 year-12 graduates from Melbourne’s Jewish schools. These participants are the future leaders of the Jewish community who can ensure that our community maintains the highest standards of care and support for those in need.

Success is measured by Flying Fox’s retention rates of both campers and volunteers, as well as a satisfaction surveys of our target groups.

Contact Information:

Dean Cohen
dean@sababamelb.com.au
ph: 0439310923

flyingfox.org.au, facebook.com/flyingfoxau

Project

Organisation: Flying Fox

Scope of Activity: Melbourne

Target Groups: Young adults, adolescents, children, disability

Funding

Total Funding Required:
$158,000

Current Funding:
$40,000

Funding Needed:
$118,000

Tax Deductibility(DGR):
Yes

TCC:
Yes

Partnerships

Flying Fox liaises with the Maccabi All-Abilities Committee, as well as the Disability Services department of Jewish Care.

The work of the Access Inc. parent support group and Jewish Spectrum Support is vital to ensure that parents are supported in the community. Flying Fox seeks advice and referrals from these groups in order to ensure we provide appropriate care for their children on our camps.

Flying Fox’s Junior Camp volunteers are sourced from the year-12 students at Melbourne’s Jewish schools and therefore a relationship with the schools is of vital importance in our operation.