Gandel Foundation have recently recommitted their support to Courage to Care for an additional three years. This is a significant investment valued at $300K and builds on the successful partnership between the two organisations that has been going on for over a decade. This latest three-year grant will support Courage to Care’s expansion plans, aiming to reach even more students in Melbourne and across Victoria with our core human rights and social justice programs.
This funding will support the anticipated growth of our reach of face-to-face Upstander Program delivery by 80% compared to the previous three-year period.
“Courage to Care delivers programs that teach our younger generations about human rights and about the importance of standing up and protecting those rights. In these turbulent and most challenging times, initiatives that educate about compassion, care and humanity are arguably more important than ever before. Gandel Foundation and the Gandel family are fully committed to helping build and strengthen social cohesion and inclusion in the Australian community, and our enduring partnership with Courage to Care is one of the finest examples of working together to achieve that,” said Vedran Drakulic OAM, CEO of Gandel Foundation.
“Courage to Care is delighted to have the continued support of Gandel Foundation for the next three years. This is especially pleasing given the challenges we are facing. Gandel Foundation are our Principal Partner and have been strong supporters for many years, not just with resources but also with guidance, advice and connections. Their belief in us and their ongoing support have been pivotal in our success. This renewed significant multi-year commitment will allow us to reach around 20,000 students across Victoria each year with our Upstander education programs. We see this as a true, enduring and equal partnership to achieve our common goal of educating on the dangers of racism, antisemitism, discrimination and prejudice in our communities,” said Mike Zervos OAM, CEO of Courage to Care.
Courage to Care commenced as an initiative of B’nai B’rith and believes that ordinary people have the power to make a positive difference in the lives of others by being Upstanders. Taking inspiration from real-life extraordinary acts of courage, our Upstander Programs inspire people to make a real difference in their community by standing up and taking action, creating real change.
Our Upstander Programs educate participants on how to counter the dangers of racism, prejudice, discrimination and bullying. Upstander programs for Years 5 -7 (Middle Years Program MYP) and Years 8 – 12 (Secondary Years Program SYP) have independently evaluated positive impacts.
Delivered by a team of skilled and dedicated volunteers and featuring inspiring testimonies from Holocaust survivor speakers, our Upstander Programs promote acceptance of diversity within our community, transform bystander behaviour, and inspire participants to become Upstanders.
Upstander Programs encourage participants to become aware of their potential to make a positive difference, and offer practical tools for standing up against racism, bullying and prejudice by empowering participants to take positive action – in the schoolyard, workplaces, and in our communities.
We deliver Upstander Programs free of charge to secondary and primary schools across Victoria.
About Gandel Foundation
Gandel Foundation is one of Australia’s largest independent private family philanthropic funds. John Gandel AC and Pauline Gandel AC are actively engaged in their philanthropic initiatives, and they are universally recognised for their generosity, commitment and passion in supporting both Jewish and general causes. Through the Gandel Foundation over the past nearly five decades John and Pauline have invested more than $200 million dollars in the community, supporting various charitable causes in Australia and overseas.
For further information, please contact Mike Zervos OAM, CEO Courage to Care, Ph 0412 319 156 or e-mail ceo@couragetocare.org.au