Young people in Cessnock using the local Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off The Streets drop-in centre now have a supply of fresh vegetables and herbs and gardens to care for thank to two Hunter businesses.
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A dozen staff from the Greater Building Society’s Finance and Risk departments and from PwC Newcastle’s auditing team recently volunteered their time to build and plant out six vegetable gardens at the Youth Off The Streets Hunter office in Alkira Avenue.
Each year, The Greater and PwC staff do a day’s work for a charity but this was the first time the businesses collaborated with Youth Off The Streets.
Youth Off The Streets’ Hunter Valley outreach program manager, Jennifer Jackson, said the creation of this sustainable garden in the community will help foster a sense of ownership and pride among local youths.
She congratulated the team on doing such a great job and in record time.
Greater Building Society accounting manager Matthew Barlow said it was very rewarding to build something that is a tangible first step in helping local young people.
He said the day was also a great team building opportunity for Greater and PwC staff.
“It was great to know that the young people will be able to eat the vegetables and herbs and also take ongoing care of the gardens,” Mr. Barlow said.
“This project was another way the Greater can give back to the Cessnock community where we have been helping people with their banking for 24 years.”
Youth Off The Streets this year became a charity partner of the Greater Charitable Foundation.
The foundation is providing $287,375 over two years to fund 12 Hunter Valley Futures programs that provide tailored early intervention and education for disadvantaged children and young people aged four to 19 years in Cessnock, Kurri and Maitland.
The foundation is funded from the profits of the Greater Building Society.
