What We Do
SPONSOR KIDS TO GO TO CAMP
Our camps provide young people who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it with the opportunity to experience a holiday in a safe, nurturing and secure Jewish environment whilst connecting to nature and to their heritage. For many families, especially those with multiple children, camp expenses can cause financial hardship. At Camp Gan Welfare we believe that no child should miss out on any of our programs due to financial constraints. As a registered provider of Out of School Hours Care (OSHC), primary school campers, who meet eligibility requirements, are able to receive the Australian Government’s Childcare Subsidy, thereby reducing their camp fees. Secondary school students do not qualify for government fee relief. To ensure that all children are able to attend camp, Camp Gan Welfare raises funds to subsidise fees for needy children. To donate, click here.
“I wondered why somebody didn’t do something. Then I realized, I am somebody.”
FEATHERTOP CHALET
On March 1, 2017, Camp Gan Welfare, together with over 1000 donors, purchased Feathertop Chalet to become the permanent home for all our various camps, conferences and retreats. Feathertop Chalet can accommodate guests over 3 separate lodges which each sleep just over 90 people. The conference centre, which can seat 200, is ideal for workshops, training sessions and conferences. Other facilities include an indoor sports hall and swimming pool, beach volleyball, tennis courts and mini golf course. Each Lodge also has a common area which comfortably seats 20 or more people. All of the rooms, which sleep between 4-12 people, have their own ensuite. We can cater for groups of 40 or more in our dining room and smaller groups are welcome to use the kitchen facilities in the lodges to self-cater. Onsite we have a fantastic range of adventure activities including High Ropes elements which cater for young and old and compliment our alpine environment. The purpose of purchasing this asset was to generate income to further the organisation’s benevolent purposes. All income earned through the campsite is used to benefit youth and families in need.
iVOLUNTEER
Yad L’ezra was established over 20 years ago, to service the need for additional help in the community. High school girls are engaged to volunteer in assisting families in need within the community during the week, in whatever way they needed. Joining forces with Chabad Youth, Yad L’Ezra iVolunteer continues to grow to encompass other aspects of need within the community, it now has 5 divisions with over 100 girls from Beth Rivkah High School involved on a weekly basis. Yad L’ezra iVolunteer aims to empower students to make a difference by volunteering in various ways for our community. Whether it is helping in a home, tutoring or mentoring a primary student, visiting the
elderly or fundraising for Tzedaka, students experience the beauty of giving. This promotes an atmosphere of giving and ensures responsible, caring and compassionate individuals. Yad L’ezra iVolunteer is proudly sponsored by Spotlight Foundation. The various programs run by iVolunteer provide support to any eligible individual or family experiencing disadvantage, distress or hardship.
iVOLUNTEER
Help at Home: The Help at Home division of Yad L’ezra iVolunteer gives volunteer students the opportunity to help many families in their time of need. For one hour each week, two volunteers visit a family together. They give of their time, doing all sorts of house work, cleaning, babysitting and assisting the family in all matters required. Thanks to the amazing commitment and responsibility of the volunteers, many families are receiving much appreciated assistance.
Visiting Seniors: This division has been an outstanding success with the volunteers developing a close friendship with their elderly friends in Emmy Monash. While visiting a senior citizen in their aged care home, the volunteers chat together, sing, and bring life and happiness to the elderly. The volunteers look forward to going just as much as the seniors look forward to their visits.
iVOLUNTEER
iVOLUNTEER
Tutoring: The tutoring division was developed to assist primary students who needs extra help with work, or just needs a special friend. Each volunteer meets with their student on a weekly basis and helps with homework or in any area needing assistance. The effect of the tutoring division has been tremendous with students reporting higher grades, better study skills, and a stronger self-confidence.
Visiting Seniors: This division has been an outstanding success with the volunteers developing a close friendship with their elderly friends in Emmy Monash. While visiting a senior citizen in their aged care home, the volunteers chat together, sing, and bring life and happiness to the elderly. The volunteers look forward to going just as much as the seniors look forward to their visits.
iVOLUNTEER
iVOLUNTEER
Fundraising: The fundraising committee coordinate many fundraising projects, such as packing Mishloach Manot, collecting Maot Chittim, and other Tzedaka campaigns- raising funds for other benevolent causes in the community. The volunteers initiate and are responsible for their own fundraising ideas. To date, they have raised a significant amount of money for many worthy causes.
Big Sister Little Sister BSLS: Students from years 9, 10, 11 and 12 are given the opportunity to be paired up with primary students who need a big sister figure. Big Sisters and little sisters spend one hour a week doing all sorts of activities such as arts and crafts, ice cream parties and homework. Both Big Sister and Little Sister benefit greatly through giving and receiving.
iVOLUNTEER
HOSPITAL VISITATION
Hospital stays can be lonely and isolating, especially when they coincide with important cultural events.
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Every year, on, or in preparation for Jewish festivals, visits are co-ordinated with hospitals to provide patients with the opportunity to participate in significant aspects of the festival.
Visits include, reading Megillas Esther on Purim, blowing shofar on Rosh Hashana and shaking Lulav on Sukkos. Holiday packages are distributed where appropriate.
AGED CARE RESIDENTIAL VISITATION
Throughout the year, groups visit aged care residential homes, fostering a relationship between residents and youths. Many visits take place on Friday afternoons which gives residents the opportunity to participate in culturally significant Shabbos related activities such as singing of
Shabbos songs, distribution of Challah, and if appropriate, reciting the traditional blessing over grape juice or candles.
Volunteers spend time with elderly residents, focusing on the interests of the residents eg:
playing chess, reading with/ to resident, discussing topics of interest to the resident.
All volunteers are screened and undergo a training process.
iVOLUNTEER
HOME VISITS
Throughout the year, visits are organised for seniors living in their own homes, fostering a relationship between seniors and youths.
Many visits take place on Friday afternoons or before festivals. This gives volunteers the opportunity to help seniors with any Shabbos or festival preparations, or assist in acquiring any necessary supplies (such as grape juice or challah).
Volunteers spend time with seniors in need, focusing on the interests of the seniors eg: playing chess, reading with/ to resident, discussing topics of interest to the seniors.
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All volunteers are screened and undergo a training process.