Media Release by Senator the Hon Kay Patterson

$291,000 funding for Salvation Army Trust in Devonport

Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson today announced Australian Government funding of $291,000 for the Salvation Army Property Trust to provide support for disadvantaged families in the region.

The funding is part of the Australian Government’s Local Answers initiative under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy.

‘This is just one of many innovative projects that was previously funded under the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy. The funding is making a real difference to communities and families throughout Australia,’ Senator Patterson said.

‘This project will bring together various local service providers to identify disadvantaged families and develop and implement activities such as play groups, parenting groups and family activities. Young parents, particularly single mothers will be able to participate in life skills classes and connect to employment and other programs that will improve their self-confidence, parenting skills and economic self-reliance.’

The program aims to engage with and support disadvantaged young children and their families, particularly single mothers.

‘The Stronger Families and Communities Strategy is an Australian Government initiative giving families, their children and communities the opportunity to build a better future.

‘Local Answers supports locally developed and implemented projects that give families and communities the power to develop their own solutions and help them to help themselves.

‘We hope this funding will go a long way to help people in the local community address local problems,’ Senator Patterson said.