Homework Club celebrates another successful year

The Homework Club has wrapped up on another year of supporting the families living in and around the Flemington flats, but the children aren’t heading off on their school holidays empty handed.

Program volunteers, participant families and Jesuit Social Services staff gathered at nearby adventure playground The Venny to celebrate another successful year together over a barbecue and a bounce on the trampolines.

Homework Club supports around 40 children, largely from new migrant background, through weekly sessions with our dedicated volunteers who provide learning and social support.

“Over 21 years this very special program has done its part to help so many children overcome barriers to getting the most out of their education,” says Homework Club Co-ordinator Louisa Wilson.

“Along with that, it connects the children, their families volunteers and program staff into a wonderful little community.”

The children were delighted to learn that they would be receiving gifts to take home –  a water bottle printed with a design made up of drawings they’d done themselves, and a disposable film camera to capture moments from their lives over the summer holidays.

“It was lovely to see how excited the children were to receive their cameras and learn a little bit about how they work. We’re really looking forward to seeing what they are able to capture when they return in the new year,” Louisa says.

As with each week at the Homework Club and the program’s various special events throughout the year, the event was a beautiful display of community support, celebration and connection across cultures.

“I particularly want to thank the volunteers who keep this program alive, and wish them a very happy break,” Louisa says.

“They really are making a difference through building connections with the children and helping them through challenges in their schoolwork that might otherwise hold them back.”