A request for help please...

Dear Friends,

As a rule I only reach out to individuals I know well regarding my passion projects. Today is an exception, and for that I trust you'll forgive the questionable professionalism of hitting the whole Rolodex with the below; however I do feel compelled.

10 years ago the Jared that you know now (some better than others) was a tremendously different person. I was in fact 17 years old and in the care of a half way home as I began rebuilding my health, relationship with my family, self-worth and identity after several broken years culminating in drug dependency, a broken home, mind and body.

While a long story, the short is that had I not been fortunate enough to be surrounded by people who loved me and helped me heal, I would not be here right now to write this letter. Fact. 

10 years later life is remarkably different, not only am I here to share that journey, but I am able to help other young people who are fighting battles of their own, with which only a fraction of my personal story compares. 

I would like to ask you to read on, and for your help to make the world a brighter place for some who have only known darkness.

FIGS (Friends in Giving Society) raise funds for the award winning Triple Care Farm, a youth learning and rehabilitation facility in rural New South Wales. It accommodates eighteen 16 – 24 year olds for three months at a time, and aids in their recovery from drug and alcohol abuse while providing mental health services and continuing education during their time at the farm.

https://www.friendsingiving.com/

https://sd.missionaustralia.com.au/281-triple-care-farm?gclid=CLeE65X9-80CFZclvQoduuIAVQ

The Need

TCF is the only Australian residential rehabilitation program of its kind; providing an integrated and individual treatment program. When most young people are forging an identity, others are struggling with substance use, mental health issues, homelessness, unemployment, violence, trauma and isolation.

Of the young people supported:

• 71% had a history of criminal behaviour.
• 38% were homeless or transient at the time of referral.
• 84% had a diagnosed mental illness.
• 65% had a history of family breakdown.
• 72% had attempted to take their own life.
• 95% were unemployed

The Work

The program at TCF includes three Stages of support, which encourages young people to graduate into each next stage. As students move through the stages, they take on more responsibilities and challenges. Students receive one on one support, personal counselling, drug and alcohol counselling and group counselling sessions and also have the opportunity to participate in a range of programs including:

• Living skills: including cooking, budgeting and social skills.
• Sport and recreation: including many types of sports, gym work, surfing, bush walking, canoeing.
• Vocational Training: both accredited and non-accredited courses developing practical skills including literacy, numeracy, woodwork, forklift licence and first aid.
• Creative programs: using music and art to engage students and express themselves, while improving retention rates.

When students are ready to graduate, they are offered continued support for six months. This support is known as our Stepping Out Program. During the Stepping Out Program students receive weekly contact and intensive support from an outreach worker, who helps them to re-establish their lives and access accommodation, family support, employment, training and education.

How we help

TCF costs $2.7m a year to run. Friends in Giving, in partnership with Mission Australia, host an annual event on Saturday the 5th of November at The Hilton, Sydney, to raise funds for TCF. We raise funds not only by people joining us at the event, but also through corporate partners donating their products or services as additions to the auction on the evening. We’re fortunate enough to have a diverse range of guests on the evening, and it gives brands the opportunity to reach affluent, influential, prospective customers while contributing to a sincerely meaningful cause.

How you can help

We need more product sponsors to help us raise funds for TCF. Because of the unique nature of the program only 1/3 of the money required to sustain the program comes from the state, which means that $1.8 million needs to be generated through private channels. I would like to ask you if your business can contribute product towards our auction, and if interested, join us on the evening for the ball (further details to come).  If you require more information prior to making a commitment, please ask.

If nothing else, I am grateful for you taking the time to read the above, I hope you’ve learned something, and look forward to when we next catch up. My phone is always on, give me a call. 

Sincerely,

Jared Simcox

FIGS Committee member

+61 414 499 005