Our National Food Rescue Partner Woolworths has launched their 6th Annual OzHarvest Christmas Appeal, running across all stores and online until Christmas Day with the aim to raise a whopping $3 million!
Give A Gift With Soul These Holidays
We've updated the OzHarvest Soul Shop in time for Christmas shopping! We now have book bundles, gourmet hampers, virtual Christmas cards and more for all your gifting needs
For many of us, 2020 is a year that we won't be sad to see end.
For me, the strongest theme that emerged this year is one of change. 2020's upheavals and uncertainty have challenged us all, forcing us to adapt to new ways of living and working.
Even at Wyatt, an organisation that has been a constant presence and helping hand to South Australians for more than 130 years, we've taken the opportunity over the last 12 months to turn the lens on ourselves; to interrogate our legacy and enhance our effectiveness.
Part of that process included developing our Reconciliation Action Plan which we see as part of our overall strategy for impact. We've also committed to challenging the beliefs that perpetuate inequality because we believe everybody deserves a life free from poverty and disadvantage.
Life became so much harder for so many people this year and I want to thank each of our non-profit partners that have innovated like never before to meet 2020's challenges.
Thanks also to our friends and supporters including the late Max and Martha Grahn who generously entrusted Wyatt as part of their legacy via a gift in their will. You can read more of their story below.
With the holidays just around the corner, please note that our office will close from midday Friday 18 December and re-open Monday 4 January, 2021.
On behalf of the entire team at Wyatt Trust, we wish you a happy and safe festive season.
Stacey Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
Raise the Rate for Good - Update
Thursday 19 November was a National Day of Action for the Raise the Rate for Good campaign, an initiative designed to fix Australia's social security safety net so that it keeps people out of poverty. Knowing how deeply this issue affects so many South Australians living below the poverty line, Wyatt has proudly supported Raise the Rate since 2018 when our former CEO, Paul Madden, convened a group of philanthropic supporters to back the ACOSS-led campaign.
To date, more than $1.6 million has been committed by 15 foundations and donors to support the campaign.
We can't afford to turn our backs on thousands of Australians who are struggling to survive on a Newstart rate of just $40 a day. At Wyatt, we believe everyone deserves the basics to rebuild their lives, especially after the COVID-19 crisis. Learn more about Raise the Rate for Good here https://raisetherate.org.au/
Little things that make a big difference: Women's Safety Services SA
"If only you could see some of the faces on these children when they have new school uniforms, new drink bottles, new shoes," says Sally Murn, Aboriginal Education Specialist at Women's Safety Services SA.
"It makes such a difference. It's huge for them."
The first day at a new school is a milestone moment, particularly for some of the young Aboriginal children Sally works with. Many of these children, along with their mothers, have left everything they owned behind after fleeing domestic violence.
With help from Wyatt, Women's Safety Services is providing uniforms, school lunches and more.
"We buy fresh ingredients and three nights a week they come over and make their lunch and get ready for school the next day," Sally explains.
"The other part of the funding is used for school uniforms and other things to do with going to school," Sally says, which occasionally includes items such as school shoes, glasses, a laptop, excursion fees or even a sleeping bag for a school camp.
The Wyatt Trust was humbled to recently receive a generous gift from the will of the late Max and Martha Grahn.
Modest immigrants who arrived in Australia after WW2, Max and Martha built themselves a new life through hard work and determination, and on their passing left a lasting gift that reflects their generosity and gratefulness for the life they had in their beloved South Australia. They will never know how much they helped others.
Our CEO, Stacey Thomas, wrote this piece for Philanthropy Australia as part of NAIDOC Week, stressing that philanthropy's commitment to reconciliation will, and should, be at the fore.
The Wyatt Trust works to challenge inequality and improve the quality of life for South Australians experiencing poverty by providing support in three targeted funding streams: Direct Grants, Partner Grants, and major grant allocations in the form of Demonstration Projects.
By listening, learning and building knowledge, our aim is to make an even bigger contribution to systemic change so that we can help more South Australians.
Wyatt Trust shares recent news in the form of this newsletter with our supporters and community each quarter. Please feel free to share with a friend.
