Young Adult Disabled Association (YADA) coordinator Buffy McDonald and founder John Eastwood probably wish there was an election every year.
The YADA pair yesterday accepted a cheque for $10,000 from John Ajaka, the NSW Minister for Ageing and Disability Services.
The minister dropped into the YADA premises accompanied by the state member for Menai Melanie Gibbons and the Liberal Party’s candidate for the seat of Liverpool, Councillor Mazhar Hadid.
The $10,000 will be used towards YADA’s service delivery.
“I met with YADA last year and was amazed by the scope of work being carried out by such a small group of hard working volunteers and I’m pleased to be able to assist them in their important work,” Mr Ajaka said.
YADA is a local charity based in Liverpool that aims to provide social support for people with disabilities in the Liverpool and Fairfield local government areas. The social group meets twice a week to participate in activities that allow them to learn new skills, reduce their isolation, provide their carers with some time off, and enhance their quality of life.
“I know how limited their resources are and how they work hard to make every dollar stretch the make sure their clients continue to enjoy their day programs and their recycling services are maintained,” Ms Gibbons said.
“The grant will be used to purchase new tools, such as cordless drills and safety equipment for their volunteers to use in the workshop.
“They will also be able to order more custom made recycling bins to store their items more efficiently and safely in the yard.
“The famous YADA buses we all see driving around the area will also benefit from the grant and receive some much needed repairs to keep them up to date,’’ Ms Gibbons said.
“I am also pleased to see that funding will be used to subsidise their annual group trip to Yamba for their clients and hopefully enable more people to join in,” Ms Gibbons said.
YADA runs twice weekly Social Support activity programs for young adults with a disability in the Liverpool and Fairfield City Council areas. For just a few dollars, they provide bus transport for the participants, morning tea and a centre-based day care program to get them out of the house.
The program has been running since 1996 and relies upon the generosity of the public to keep their services running.
“YADA are always looking for new volunteers to help out, particularly drivers for their buses. They are also looking for sponsors to help keep their services running,” Ms Gibbons said.
The other half of their service is a workshop where donated goods are delivered, sorted, repaired and then sold through one of the three community stores YADA have set up.
The goods range from clothing and books, to toys and kitchenware, and a variety of furniture. All the shops are run by volunteers and they always have a changing assortment of goods.
“We will take anything that is reasonable condition and clean it up to be resold or either strip it down into recyclable parts,” Buffy McDonald said.
YADA’s recycling program helps to raise funds for their social support program. It is through the recycling of goods that have led YADA to become 90 percent self-sufficient.
“Organisations like YADA are so vital to the community and to the people they serve. I am extremely grateful to the minister for making this funding available to such a worthy group,” Ms Gibbons said.
