In Boroondara approximately 5,900 young people live below the poverty line. It is essential that these young people be given every opportunity to maximise their potential, achieve their educational goals and fulfil their ambitions.

Although Boroondara is one of the wealthiest municipalities in Victoria, it contains many neighbourhoods with pockets of poverty, in which a high proportion of young people aged 0-25 live in households whose income is below the poverty line.

Today’s Speakers: Elida Brereton and Helen Worladge gave us an illustrated history and progress  of the Chances Program. Elida Brereton is the Chair of Education CHANCES Foundation and Helen Worladge is the Program Manager/Board Member of Education CHANCES Foundation.

Education Chances began in 2006 after commissioned research highlighted considerable levels of scattered poverty and social isolation in Boroondara. Since then, 1,200 scholarships have been provided to young people who live or study in Boroondara. 

Helen and Elida demonstrated how the name had change over the years from Foundation Boroondara and Boroondara Cares Foundation to its present name, Education Chances Foundation.

The Vision of Chances aims

1) to remove the financial barriers facing many talented and educationally promising people between the ages of 12 and 25 years  

2) to redress the social isolation that disadvantaged students experience

3) to relieve the financial stress on their families

4) to benefit the community by enabling more young people to become valued members of society.

The scholarships allow children to participate in more school activities, by providing texts, MYKI cards, computers/support, uniforms, camps, excursions, music lessons, leadership classes and the arts. 

They told us of the value scholarship recipients gained in the form of home life and relationships, with reduced financial stress as a result.  This improved the emotional well-being of all family members and created a more positive and supportive home environment. 

Parents and carers described and valued three outcomes: better home life and family relationships, improved emotional wellbeing and increased connection with school and local community. 

Helen and Elida thanked Hawthorn Rotary for their continued support of the program, and were in turn thanked by Chairman Denbigh Richards for their comprehensive presentation.