Courage to Care Victoria is an independent not-for-profit organisation that has been delivering educational programs in schools for 33+ years.
Courage to Care is unequivocally committed to educating and empowering students to stand against prejudice, antisemitism, racism and all forms of discrimination, without exception, grounded in the universal values of respect, empathy, fairness and active citizenship.
Courage to Care’s Upstander programs are designed to create a generation of Upstanders – ordinary people with the courage and skills to safely stand up and act when they witness discrimination or injustice.
We do this by guiding students through an interactive workshop exploring the ideas of prejudice, discrimination, stereotyping and racism, and how hate can escalate if left unchecked. We also use a powerful testimony by a Holocaust survivor speaker, or custodian of their story, as an educational case study of one of the most extensively documented examples of how discrimination and hatred can escalate, and how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference by choosing to stand up against it.
Courage to Care is not an advocacy organisation and does not promote political viewpoints or agendas. Our mission is grounded in universal values of respect, empathy, fairness and active citizenship. Our Upstander programs are designed to promote safe, practical action against racism, discrimination and prejudice in schools and communities, while supporting student wellbeing and helping to build a more inclusive society.
students are better equipped to respond to discrimination
students reached to date
of teachers recommend the program
It is only with the support of the community
that we can do what we do. Please donate to help support our work.
Our volunteers are the heart and
soul of everything we do. Become a volunteer today!
Upstander Programs are delivered to
Victorian schools FREE of charge. Learn more and book in here.
Upstander Programs are now available
for organisations across Victoria.
Learn about what it’s like to volunteer with Courage to Care
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We have delivered Upstander Programs to more than 200,000 students across Victoria.
It is only with the support of our wonderful community that we can truly make racism and discrimination a thing of the past.
“A wonderful program exceptionally well implemented by enthusiastic and knowledgeable volunteers.”
“It teaches you a lot about how to be an Upstander.”
“The reward is the students’ reactions.”
“I love what we do at Courage to Care … changing the younger generations view of others that are different, treating them with respect and understanding.”
“Real life education activity which helps engage students in understanding the Holocaust and the “Upstanding” message. A great experience, especially for our rural students who cannot travel to Melbourne.”
“I am 80 and have been with Courage to Care since its beginnings. I love the interaction with students when they ‘get it’. It makes me feel my work is worthwhile.”
“You have taught me how to be a better man and that helping others and doing something is the greatest thing one good man can do. Respect.”
‘The presentation was impressive, powerful and moving. I felt honoured to hear Peter’s story in person. I have already spoken to staff at school about how we might include it in our RRRR curriculum – you refreshed my motivation.’
“It really impacted me, got me thinking about how easy it is for bad things to happen when you don’t do anything.”
“The personal stories were very moving and made you reflect on equity / inequality /discrimination etc. and what it is like to be a victim of such behaviour.”
“I believe this excursion to be one of the best that I have experienced in nearly 30 years of teaching. It was a credit to all concerned and such a program must be continued.”
“It’s eye-opening and teaches us much more than history and the Holocaust. It inspires you to be an individual and stand up for your beliefs. It made me realise that I can make a difference.”
“Thank you Courage to Care for helping us young people understand what to do in situations like the ones Louis went though, what to do when someone needs help. All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
“This exhibition is exceptional. It is full of life-changing concepts and you are courageous to share it with us.”
“A wonderful PD – so impactful!”
“I have been volunteering with Courage to Care for 15 years and the longer I do so the more rewarding I find making young people aware of the consequences of being a bystander and the importance being an Upstander to help build a more just and cohesive community.”
“The talk by a survivor was listened to in silence, although there were over one hundred students present. Attendance is free, yet the ‘return’ in information gained and discussion generated is massive. I commend the Courage to Care volunteers and urge teachers to take advantage of this excellent program.”
“We get such great feedback from teachers… the follow on with regards to student discussion, behaviour and attitudes has been amazing.”
“The program links the past with current day perfectly. The students clearly made connections with Upstanders in WWII to current students/Upstanders and saw that they have the ability to be an Upstander.”
“I found it so interesting and unbelievable to actually hear from a Holocaust survivor, I will always remember this.”
“Enjoyed the session. Got a lot out of it. It wasn’t what I expected.”
“Very moving, incredible impact. Makes me really consider and recognise how powerful these actions can be.”
“Volunteering for Courage to Care is a worthy use of my time as it contributes to a better society.”
“Very powerful! It was great for the students to hear REAL stories which were then linked to the Local Heroes, so the goal of making a difference is made achievable. It had a major impact on students to think about others and have the courage to stand up.”
“Thank you for making the effort to come to our school. This is the 3rd year that you have come to our school. Your message is perfect for the work we do with our students on bullying.”
“Session was very informative and inspiring. Very worthwhile.”
“I loved the Survivor’s testimony and definitely have takeaways for my classroom and entire school.”
“This two-hour workshop taught more to the students than we could get through in weeks at school!”
“The personal stories made me reflect on the personal risks associated with me calling out behaviour vs. the unimaginable risks taken by Upstanders of the Holocaust.”
“It engaged the student with real details, then took it further to make it matter. Excellent presenters, great materials, effective program. “
“As a child of Holocaust survivors I feel strongly that through educating children about the consequences of discrimination we will be able to create a better and more embracing community.”
“Relevant to so much in adolescents’ lives – bullying, acceptance, bigotry, etc. A wonderful program. Please come to our region again soon.”
“A wonderful PD. So impactful”
“Very powerful, informative & brilliant in structure & organisation of content, and clearly got across the message of being an Upstander. Having the Holocaust Survivors share their stories made the session even more powerful in its message.”
“The biggest reward is when I see students understanding the message to to be Upstanders.”
“It’s eye-opening and teaches us much more than history and the Holocaust. It inspires you to be an individual and stand up for your beliefs. It made me realise that I can make a difference.”
“When you don’t stand up or speak up, you are accepting that the situation is okay. I learnt no matter the issue you have to stand up to the mistreatment of others.”
“It sparked the realisation that we do have the responsibility to stand up and voice our concerns, to make a difference when we believe something unjust is occurring. Thank you for telling these important and inspirational stories. It was eye-opening for everybody.”
“I think the main messages that we took away from the program was that if I stand up, it will have a ripple effect, and everyone will stand up.”
“Thank you so much for telling your story. You’ve made me realise that there is a light at the end of the tunnel as I have been going through a hard time.”
“Thanks for your amazing speech, it was one of the best things I have ever heard.”
“Peter’s story was extremely powerful & thought provoking.”
“The session was highly appropriate well placed for members. It provided excellent examples and should be implemented organisation-wide.”
“Great presenters. Excellent – thank you Peter, what a privilege.”
“The session was engaging, fast paced and practical. Peter sharing his story was such a powerful experience, one that will stay with me.”
