The Bread and Butter Project has turned to crowdfunding to raise money for its employment pathways program aimed at training and securing jobs for refugees and asylum seekers in the Sydney area.
Bread sales currently fund 90 per cent of the social enterprise’s training and support costs, but the team put the word out to the community to help fund the short fall.
Encouraged by ING Direct as part of its Dreamstarters campaign, the Project raised $40,000, with every cent going towards the costs associated with traineeships including TAFE studies, uniforms, language support and external work experience placements.
Co-founder of the Project Jessica Grynberg said the money will help volunteers bring on 10 new trainees this coming year.
“That’s 10 lives and 10 families with a much brighter future,” she said.
“This September we’re also celebrating the graduation of five more trainees, t
hree of who already have transitioned into employment, so it’s easy to see how the Project is having a meaningful impact on the community.”
The Project’s first two trainees, Ma and Somprasong, are now working as full-time professional bakers with The Bread & Butter Project. Other trainees to finish the program, Chantelle and Aziz, are working with The Bathers Pavilion and Aryzt.
The funding will also help the team realise its plans to open a café in Annandale later this year.
Above: The Bread and Butter Project founders Paul Allam (left) and David McGuinness
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