FREEMASONS CONTINUE SUPPORT
It was our pleasure to host our friends from Freemasons Victoria Monash Gully Branch and Freemasons Foundation Victoria for morning tea to celebrate another year of supporting siblings. The Interchange Outer East Sibling Support Program provides age-based camps and day activities for siblings aged 5 to 18 years who have a brother or sister with disability. It provides a supportive, welcoming and fun environment that is just for them; a way to celebrate their sense of self and their unique role in their family. Siblings camps and activities allow children and teens to be with their peers and have time away from the family and outside of their caring role.
IOE parent, Katrina spoke about the importance of supporting children and teenagers who have a brother or sister with disability, having three sons who have been part of the program over many years. Our Family Support Programs Coordinator, Jacinta Benne shared a program update and announced plans for a new therapeutic and wellbeing program to provide further support for siblings. Programs like this are made possible by the ongoing support of Freemasons Victoria – a 15 year partnership still going strong!
Monash Gully District Coordinator, Lionel May presented a cheque for an incredibly generous $35,600 on behalf of the District and Freemasons Foundation Victoria to continue this support. Funds were raised directly through the efforts of Monash Gully Branch members and the Foundation throughout the year.
On behalf of the wider IOE community, we thank Freemasons Victoria and Freemasons Foundation Victoria for sharing our vision for supporting siblings now and into the future.
