Programs
Direct Grants
Make a Difference has established a number of referral partners, and we provide grants directly to families referred to us by them, in a partnership arrangement. Current referral partners include a primary school, two womens refuges and an outreach centre.
Funding of Projects
We may also fund organisations to run day programs, weekly group meetings, and camps, for children and young people in our target group.
We currently fund programs that provide opportunity for children and young people living with significant disadvantage to have:
- some fun times, and the leisure experiences enjoyed by other children
- time out from depressing, frightening or distressing home environments
- the opportunity 'to be a kid' and have a break from the heavy burden of caring for a mentally ill parent, or of helping to run a household
- the opportunity to mix with other children with a similar experience so they do not feel alone
- their efforts, and their own greatness, recognised
- the chance to learn new coping skills, and resolve their experiences of conflict or trauma
- help to overcome the problem behaviours that sometimes result from troubled family situations
- an opportunity to cope at school and succeed educationally
- equal access to a promising future
About Us
Make a Difference was established by its current Hon CEO and Founder, Mandy Miles, in 2000.
Make a Difference is differentiated from other charities by the following:
- We are a 'charity of last resort', generally only becoming involved if there is no other charity or government department that can assist
- We see the most disadvantaged, and those with the most serious problems
- We assist in substantial ways, providing a significant amount of financial help and mentoring where required, or funding structured programs aimed at levelling the playing field for very disadvantaged children and young people
- We are a group of business people and professionals who have come together to make an impact on disadvantage in our city. We interview our clients directly ourselves
- No-one in the organisation is paid
- We have been largely self-funding through our own contributions
Our credo has always been that we do not spend money on anything other than clients, excepting that we must maintain director's insurance and a few running costs.