A HUNTER young parents support group in jeopardy of closing due to a lack of funding has been given an eleventh-hour boost.
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The Place Charlestown Community Centre’s Young Parents Group will now continue until mid-November thanks to donations from the community totalling $4215.
Some of that money - about $775 - was raised through the Bricks 4 Kidz Lake Macquarie launch, held at the centre on Saturday to support the parents group.
The organisation promotes play-based learning through programs, workshops and events built around Lego blocks.
Young and old took part in Lego-building sessions, face painting and other fun and games.
The Place manager Lynda Little said it was wonderful to see the community rally behind the group, which provides life skill workshops and peer support for parents under 25.
Previously the group was funded for two years through a state government Youth Opportunities grant of $81,011.
However, that funding ran out this month as the grant was one-off and the program cannot fund the same project twice.
The centre has submitted a new application for a different program, called Young Parents Playgroup, which will focus on play-based learning to build children’s language, social and motor skills.
However, Mrs Little said the playgroup was not intended to replace the parents group.
She said the centre wanted to conduct the parents group, which costs $41,000 a year to run, in its current format, and will continue to raise funds to do so.
To make this easier, an online donation platform has been created.
Mrs Little said the centre was still desperately calling for more donations.
However, it’s not all bad news.
The parents group has welcomed 17 new families in the past six weeks, bringing their total to 55.
"Whilst the financial capacity to continue the program is disappearing, the community need is being more strongly demonstrated by the continued increase in families needing this type of community support and engagement,’’ Mrs Little said.
■ To donate go to theplacecharlestown.org.au and click on the donate tab or SMS ‘PARENTS’ to 0437 371 371.
