A $10,000 donation by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers to the community based not-for-profit organisation YFS will help vulnerable and disadvantaged people in the Logan area get into the job market and find paid work.
YFS Chief Executive Officer Cath Bartolo said the donation was helping support people who come to YFS to transition into paid work.
“We are using these funds to enhance the employment outcomes for our clients, many of whom are from very disadvantaged backgrounds,” Ms Bartolo said.
“The donation is helping our clients buy bus tickets to attend job interviews and pay for courses that can get them into the job market, such as Responsible Service of Alcohol course or First Aid Certificate.
“We are very appreciative of this generous gesture by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers.”
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers Associate and YFS Director Patrick Turner said Maurice Blackburn is committed to supporting YFS, helping people in Logan who are experiencing poverty or overcoming challenges.
“Like YFS, we believe that employment is a vital pathway out of poverty for those who are capable of working,” Mr Turner said.
“Sometimes the solution can be as simple as providing people with financial support so that they can travel to job interviews, or helping pay for the certifications they require for work.
“This donation is one of the ways that Maurice Blackburn Lawyers is supporting YFS, I am also proud to provide my support and professional expertise as a YFS board member.”
YFS Program Manager Rachel Smith works with a number of people who have benefited from the donation.
Ms Smith said her clients want to find jobs and start working, but many don’t have the money to buy some of the simple things that can help them do that.
“Some have been able to enrol in a Certificate III vocational qualification for the first time because the donation has paid for their enrolment fee, which isn’t government funded,” Ms Smith said.
“This assistance is building confidence in our clients to enter the job market because it provides them with skills that were unobtainable because of their financial hardship.”
One YFS client who landed a job because of the donation is Britney Bygrave, of Loganlea.
After being away from work to raise her children, Ms Bygrave is now undertaking a paid business traineeship with YFS.
It’s the first time Ms Bygrave has worked in an office.
“The donation was a lifesaver for me. It helped me get a foot in the door of a number of job interviews,” she said.
“It paid for some interview clothes so I felt more confident — confident enough to get a paid job.
“I also received some driving lesson vouchers, which is helping me get my licence so I can get to work on time and prove to my employer that I’m reliable.”
Who is YFS?
YFS is a not-for-profit organisation delivering a range of services to the people of Logan and surrounds.
We cater to people who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or want to improve their circumstance.
For more information contact
Phone: 3826 1500
Judith Hunter
Email: [email protected]
Nathan Francis
Email: [email protected]