There are so many great local community services, groups and organisations supporting the people of the Northern Beaches.

At Council, we want to do everything we can to support them and the locals they help. Our annual grant program is one way we do this. If you have a great idea for a project to support the community, our grants program is now open until Monday 8 August. Apply now.

We’re shining a light on two of the amazing organisations that have used Council grant funding to do incredible things for local women – Young Warrior Woman Foundation and Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter.

Young Warrior Woman Foundation

Young people leaving care face a transition to adulthood without the same family safety net or social support systems as their peers.

Jessica Brown, founder and CEO of the Warrior Woman Foundation said, “Often, these young people also have other challenges to deal with too including poor mental health, intellectual and physical disabilities, developmental delays, plus a lack of affordable or appropriate housing and inadequate employment opportunities.”

That’s where the Warrior Woman Foundation comes in to help. The organisation helps young women to build the skills they need for adulthood. Council’s grant sponsored young women who were leaving out of home care and at risk of homelessness to go through a program to build their capacity. This included a mentor, life skills workshops, programs on financial literacy and job readiness, employment assistance, access to vocation scholarships and internships, and psycho-education workshops with experts.

Jessica said: “When young women develop resilience, independence, and capacity, they are better able to take their place in the world as economically secure, confident individuals.”

Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter - Empowerment Circle Group

Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter is a safe haven, supporting homeless women so they can rebuild their lives, reclaim their independence and re-join society. The non-profit charity received a Council grant which helped them to run their Empowerment Circle Group.

The 10 weekly sessions held four times a year aims to help women increase their sense of empowerment and self-esteem.

One attendee said of the group: “The effect and support you give women is selfless and amazing. Anyone who has the opportunity to stay is very lucky.

“I have never felt so empowered to be myself.”

Our community grants program is now open with categories of community development, arts and culture, and environment. Apply now.