As the year 2020 comes to a close, the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation staff, partners and participants have virtually come together to celebrate the achievements from this unprecedented year.

The Bulldogs’ Community Foundation is central to Victoria’s west, and plays a pivotal role in helping our people reach their full potential, and ensuring they are accepted regardless of their gender, ability, race or faith.

When the country went into lockdown in March, all Foundation activities were postponed to ensure the safety of its participants.

However, knowing the needs of our community were increasing in this difficult time, we were able to repurpose our core programs and continued to provide support and growth opportunities to those living in the west of Melbourne and Victoria. These programs were codesigned with members of our community and designed to not only help them survive, but to thrive during lockdown.

Within our four key pillars of Health & Wellbeing, Youth Leadership, Diversity and Social Inclusion and Community Advocacy, over 1000 people participated in 150 online program sessions. More than 6000 engagements were also seen through our bespoke 15-part Webinar Series, Play On.

“While this has been a year that no one could expect, everyone at the Foundation has taken from it an improved understanding of our community,” said Kashif Bouns, Foundation General Manager Community and Government Relations.

“We are very hopeful that we will be able to return to some of our traditional delivery methods next year, however through our innovation this year we now have the flexibility to improve the lives of even more people living in the Melbourne and Victoria’s west.”

The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation offers immense gratitude to all our program and delivery partners for their understanding and flexibility throughout this year.

A special thanks goes to our Major Partner WorkSafe Victoria for their support. Their vision and message of ensuring all Victorians can return home safely from work each day is something we are so proud to share and work towards with them, and we look forward to continuing our partnership into the New Year.

To continue to stay updated on the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter via @WBFCFoundation.