At South East Water we have three major community partnerships and fund a range of smaller projects and activities in our region. Our partnerships reflect our commitment to supporting positive social and environmental outcomes for our communities, with an emphasis on working with vulnerable and disadvantaged communities across our region.
Lighthouse Foundation
Lighthouse Foundation provides an integrated model of care and therapeutic support for homeless young people who typically come from a background of long-term neglect and abuse.
Lighthouse implements the model by accommodating young people in suburban homes in Melbourne and Regional Victoria, providing 24-hour, seven day a week physical and emotional support.
South East Water is committed to supporting young people in our region to understand the value of water. Our partnership with Lighthouse enables us to make their homes across the South East water efficient and sustainable and prepare the residents for independent living. We have completed water audits, installed a dual flush toilet, hot water system, rain water tanks and a water efficient washing machine. As well as building a veggie garden at the Cheltenham home for residents to enjoy.
We have also provided financial support for a program run at the Cheltenham home which works to prepare young people for independent living.“At Lighthouse, our priority is the young people in our care. South East Water’s contribution to date has helped our young people feel proud of the places that they call home and for this we extend our most sincere thanks”. Kane Bowden, Lighthouse Foundation CEO.
Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service
Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service works with the most vulnerable in society, with a focus on improving the lives of women and girls. Through their work, each year more than 12,000 women, families and young people are supported across Melbourne and the Mornington Peninsula.
Since 2002, South East Water has partnered with Good Shepherd Youth & Family Service to provide customers who are enduring financial hardship with free access to confidential and timely financial counselling and other support services that Good Shepherd offers.
In 2010 we expanded our relationship to establish a formal community partnership, providing support for two of Good Shepherd’s key projects.
At their Wallaroo Community Centre in Hastings, we have provided funding to install water tanks and develop a sustainable community garden,which will help raise community awareness around environmental issues, encourage healthy eating and lifestyle choices and provide information about reducing household water and energy use.
AMES
Our partnership with AMES enables us to raise awareness about Melbourne’s water cycle and water efficiency among recently arrived migrant and refugee communities across our region.
We support a range of activities to help educate students about the value of water, including supporting community garden projects at AMES Springvale and Noble Park. The water efficient gardens provide students with a hands on experience to grow their own veggies and learn about the value of water in Australia.
Hands on Learning
Hands On Learning (HOL) provides an alternative learning experience for disengaged students in years 7 to 10 and aims to reconnect students with their school and community. Students work in small groups on a “real” creative project based at their school or in their local community for one day per week. In addition to learning practical skills the program aims to improve student’s attendance and retention rates at school and improve their education outcomes.
South East Water is a proud supporter of HOL and has provided funding to help run a program at Western Port Secondary College in Hastings.
"It is great to see organisations like South East Water supporting the Hands on Learning project at Western Port Secondary College. This will not only help reconnect students with their school and community but also provide vital support to the local environment and habitat". Russel Kerr, Founder & CEO, Hands on Learning Australia.
Hands on Learning students construct a kitchen garden for disabled students at Nepean School Frankston.
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