MSCR's Donation to For Change Co
On 23rd September, Melbourne St Clair Reunion, with support from the Freemasons Foundation, donated $13,000 to For Change Co.
'For Change Co' is a grassroots social enterprise that focuses on providing training and employment opportunities for young people at risk of homelessness. Their 'Pathways For Change' program offers paid training and employment, helping these young individuals build workplace skills and gain confidence as they transition to adulthood. Over 90% of the program's graduates move on to meaningful employment or further education.
WBro Alex Slater selected For Change Co as the Worshipful Master's charity during his term in office starting in March 2024, following his Installation.
Alex first learned about For Change Co through their café in Brunswick, his local neighbourhood. When Alex used to live elsewhere, the Brunswick café was a great place to head to during COVID lockdowns as it was within 5km, making its friendly atmosphere a part of an almost daily 10km walk.
Alex chose For Change Co because combating homelessness is a cause he is deeply passionate about. Before moving to Melbourne in 2014, Alex lived in Canberra, where he dedicated most Sundays to the “Feeding the Needy” programme, run by the local Freemasons, for around a decade. This programme was run on a roster of lodges for each Sunday, Alex being one of the coordinators, organising the roster and running the room. A take out from this is that there is always an opportunity to assist someone in need and Alex learnt that there is often no rhyme or reason for people to fall into difficult times, it is best just to understand that people need support.
For Change Co's mission aligns closely with the values of Freemasonry as a whole. Just as Freemasonry seeks to help good men become better, For Change Co helps young people affected by homelessness improve their skills and find employment. Instead of offering a handout, they provide a hand up.
As of September 2024, six months into the effort, our Lodge has raised AUD 1,400 for For Change Co through raffles and entry fees from a trivia night held at one of our Lodge's Souths.
The Freemasons Foundation also generously contributed AUD 10,000 last financial year to For Change Co. The Foundation, a charitable arm of the United Grand Lodge of Victoria, has donated over AUD 20 million to charity over the past decade.
On 23rd September, the combined contribution from Melbourne St Clair Reunion and the Freemasons Foundation, totalling $13,000, was given to For Change Co. The impact of this donation, measured as Social Return On Investment (SROI), is AUD 2.84 for every dollar raised, based on For Change Co's 2022 SROI Report available here. This means that, with the support of the Freemasons Foundation, Melbourne St Clair Reunion has enabled For Change Co to generate around an additional AUD 37,000 in social value.
"For Change Co. is extremely grateful to The Freemasons Foundation for supporting our Pathways for Change training and employment program for young people at-risk of or experiencing homelessness. As a not-for-profit organisation we can only deliver the impact that we do through support from our community and are humbled that The Foundation has chosen to financially support us as a part of their commitment to community. This grant will allow us to provide an extra 200+ hours of paid, on-the-job employment and training to our program beneficiaries, providing them with the opportunity to create their own pathway into financial independence."
Melbourne St Clair Reunion aims to raise a total of AUD 16,000 for For Change Co. Each AUD 8,000 raised supports one trainee for one year.
If you believe in For Change Co's mission, please consider donating here.
This fundraising initiative is part of Melbourne St Clair Reunion's mission, as well as that of Freemasonry more broadly, to create positive change in our local communities.
If you are interested in charity work and feel that our Lodge's values resonate with you, please reach out to us—we would be happy to answer any questions, or contact us through our contact form.
On the 8th October, the Freemasons Foundation Victoria published an article on Melbourne St Clair Reunion Lodge's support of For Change Co., titled "Café enterprise offers much more than a nice pour". Melbourne St Clair Reunion Lodge looks forward to continuing to support For Change Co. into the future.
