The Kyabram Community and Learning Centre will receive a grant from the Victorian Government’s Disability Self-Help Grants Program to support people with disabilities in the community.
The grant aims to help disability support groups pay for minor works, meet general expenses, or participate in support activities that promote recognition for groups.
State Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes announced that the centre would be one of 72 support groups to receive grants.
“This investment will support members and foster a place where people can share their experiences and offer each other support and information,” Mrs Symes said.
The KCLC will receive a grant of $14,000 over two years.
The KCLC, which hosts many community groups, said the money would go towards an event run by the ‘All Abilities’ group on International Day of Disability.
KCLC chief executive Jennifer Savage said “it feels wonderful” to receive the grant.
“It will now allow the people in the group to have some funds to be able to do more planning, and think what they’d like to see,” Mrs Savage said.
“I really look forward to seeing what the group are able to bring together for the whole community to enjoy ... I really encourage everyone to come down and join with them on December 3,” she said.
The group will continue fundraising for the event every Wednesday through the Kyabram container deposit scheme.
Victorian Disability Minister Lizzie Blandthorn said the program was working towards “helping to build an inclusive Victoria”.
“This is just one way we are making sure people with disability can participate in all aspects of our community,” Mrs Blandthorn said.
The grants were open to Victorian-based disability self-help groups with a focus on groups supporting First Nations people, young people, women, people from multiculturally diverse backgrounds, autistic and neurodiverse people and people who identify as LGBQITA+, as well as those providing support to regional and rural members.