School volunteers make a big difference

EdConnect Volunteers and school coordinators, EdConnect CEO Gerri Clay, Alcoa Corporate Affairs Manager Suellen Jerrard, Vicki Pollard from the Peel Volunteer Resource Centre and Rural Liaison Officer Karen Barden at a celebration event at the Meadow Springs Golf Club.

Volunteers in local schools helped more than 1,500 students in 2018 and in doing so made an economic contribution of nearly $800,000.

EdConnect coordinated volunteers across 18 schools stretching from Rockingham-Kwinana through the Peel region and down to the Waroona-Harvey area in 2018 thanks to funding from the Alcoa Foundation.

EdConnect Australia CEO Gerri Clay said 124 volunteers had made an extraordinary difference to the students they assisted with educational support and mentoring while also reaping many rewards of their own.

Alcoa Foundation is providing US$180,000 to continue supporting EdConnect’s ‘Connecting Generations for School Success’ program in the local area for the next three years.

Alcoa of Australia Chairman and Managing Director Michael Parker said the company was proud to support a program with cross-generational benefits.

“Supporting our young people to reach their potential is vital but so too is supporting other members of our community,” Mr Parker said. “EdConnect’s programs assist both students and volunteers, who have so much to offer.”

EdConnect Rural Liaison Officer Karen Barden said more volunteers are always needed, especially to assist in local high schools. If you are interested in getting involved, contact Karen on 08 9444 8646.

ENDS

Media contacts:

• EdConnect: Karen Barden, karen.barden@edconnect.org.au, (08) 9444 8646.
• Alcoa: Jane McGuire, jane.mcguire@alcoa.com, 0410 694 676.