One hundred and forty people gathered at Benalla P-12 Avon St on Thursday, October 30 to celebrate the achievements of community foundation Tomorrow Today.

Benalla has been identified by the SEIFA index (a socio-economic measure of the Australian Bureau of Statistics) as a highly disadvantaged area — and Tomorrow Today aims to combat this.

The foundation works to connects individuals and families with a range of resources through its programs and support of local projects.

The annual celebration is about hearing first-hand how the program has impacted the lives of participants.

Patience Wellard is a part of the ConnectParent program -- a support group that matches parents with a trained volunteer aiming at increasing the capability and confidence of parents.

Ms Wellard was connected with Fiona Haddon and said she has been an important part of her journey as a new mum.

“Fiona’s just been a great listening ear and someone that I can just go to whenever I need to vent; whether it be about my son or about just life in general, she’s prepared to listen,” Ms Wellard said.

Ms Haddon said she had found the experience and friendship she had gained equally rewarding.

“I would like to think that I will continue being involved with Patience and her family for a long time to come,” Ms Haddon said.

Tomorrow Today sponsors a variety of local programs and has funded the Benalla Homelessness Response Group.

Kate Holmes created the group after seeing a dire need in the community and she said the funding from Tomorrow Today had allowed the group to build local capacity.

“When we first got going, Tomorrow Today provided us with a Stepping Stones grant which enabled several of our members to participate in conferences on homelessness,” Ms Holmes said.

“Engaging in those conferences was pivotal to our understanding of what we were trying to create to support the homeless community in Benalla.”

The BHRG recently received a $5000 grant from Tomorrow Today, allowing it to train more volunteers in Safe Talk Suicide Alert and Accidental Counsellor training.

“It was really important to us to get this training so that we’ve got a lot more people skilled up and able to help those people who are in distress,” she said.

Tomorrow Today board chair Louise Pearce said the event was about celebrating the achievements made and acknowledging those who had contributed.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of our donors, partners, funders and community members ... we are equally grateful for the contribution made by more than 100 local volunteers whose time, energy and goodwill make our work possible,” Ms Pearce said.

“Together with our volunteers and supporters, we are confident in our shared ability to create lasting, positive change for our community.”

For more information about Tomorrow Today visit the group’s website or call 5762 1211.

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