Berkeley Sports has been a generous, long-term supporter of CareSouth since we moved into our purpose-built building in Berkeley three years ago.

The club has donated more than $40,000 in three years, including $18,000 in July to fund two programs – The CareSouth Homework Hub and 5S swim safety initiative. As a not-for-profit community organisation we rely on the support of donors like Berkeley Sports to run activities outside of our core business.

CareSouth’s Homework Hub runs twice a week in our Berkeley Community Hub. The program not only provides academic support for vulnerable students but helps build capacity and self-esteem through positive mentoring relationships with volunteers. Funding is used to provide healthy snacks, books and resources for more than 20 students each week.

This year’s grant will also be used to fund our 5S program – Southern, Surf, Swim, Safety, Social – a joint initiative of CareSouth, Wollongong City Council and McKeon’s Swim School – to address the alarming rate of childhood drownings in Australia each summer. The three-day program is designed for students with limited exposure to swimming and surf safety due to cultural, economic or family barriers.

CareSouth staff develop these programs to create positive futures for the children and young people we support. Maintaining these activities is made possible with funding from local clubs and CareSouth would like to thank Berkeley Sports for their big-hearted support.