Community Development Grants

Students use Council grant to restore community spirit

A group of Kingston students is making a difference thanks to a Community Project Grant from Logan City Council.

The Centre Education Programme, in Mudgee Street at Kingston, is a small secondary school that offers a range of learning experiences.

It provides educational pathways for those in grades 7 to 12 who have difficulty accessing education for a variety of reasons.

The school uses funding received through a Council grant to run a Furniture for Change project.

Students refurbish old furniture and put together flat pack items, such as coffee tables and bookcases. The furniture is then given to families in crisis.

The project is delivered in partnership with a number of local businesses and community organisations and helps students learn valuable furniture restoration and building skills.

Council’s Community Development Funding offers Community Project Grants of up to $10,000 and Community Response Grants of up to $5,000.

Applications are open all year round and are assessed monthly.

City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski said Council wanted to encourage organisations and community groups to apply for these funding opportunities.

“We offer this funding to help support our local community and it is wonderful to see the many ways it is being used,” Cr Koranski said.

“It allows the community to shape or make changes in their local area and has led to many interesting initiatives being implemented.”

Division 2 Councillor Teresa Lane said Furniture for Change was helping to empower students at The Centre Education Programme.

“The students participating in this program don’t do mainstream school well but have taken to this like a duck to water,” Cr Lane said.

“In gaining confidence they want to help others struggling in our local area and are donating some of the furniture and paying it forward.

“Council believes in this project and knows the great job they are doing.

“We have a commitment to donate some used or damaged furniture from the Logan Recycling Market for the students to hone their skills on.”

More information about Council’s community grants is online at logan.qld.gov.au/grants