THE HELP STREET FOUNDATION

The Help Foundation is an initiative of the Chatswood-Willoughby Uniting Church. Through the Foundation community groups are funded to provide service to the people of the Chatswood area.

The Foundation was set up with $2 million from the sale proceeds from the former Uniting Church site on the corner of Help Street and the Pacific Highway – hence the name Help Street Foundation.  The members of the Chatswood-Willoughby Uniting Church, while not wealthy and struggling themselves to meet weekly needs, are excited to be able to make this contribution to their community.

The Help Street Foundation was commissioned at a service at the Chatswood-Willoughby Uniting Church on Sunday 1 July 2001.  The Help Street Foundation was then launched by the Hon Joe Hockey, MP, Federal Minister for Financial Services and Regulation, with a civic reception on 10 July 2001 in the Bailey Hall.  This was a fitting location, as the Foundation’s principal purpose is to address community needs in the City of Willoughby and surrounding areas.  Attendees included Federal and State Members of Parliament, the Mayor Willoughby and other Councillors and representatives of Willoughby City Council, as well as church, civic and business leaders.

The highlight of the launch was the presentation of the first two grants from the Foundation.  The chairperson, David Hodges, presented these grants to Keenagers and Streetwork.  Both of these organisations work very actively in the Chatswood-Willoughby community with two often neglected groups – the elderly (especially those who are frail and with a dementing illness) and disadvantaged youth.  Keenagers and Streetwork both received cheques for $15000.

Since then, each year the Foundation Board has facilitated between $50 000 and $60 000 being given to a variety of community groups. In 2007 a total of $60 000 was made available.

Help Us to Stay in Touch 

If you would like us to continue to let you know about the progress of the Help Street Foundation please provide us with your contact details if you haven’t already done so.

Help Street Foundation

C/-10 Clanwilliam St. Willoughby  2068

Tel:  9415 2100

 Email: enquiries@helpstreetfoundation.org.au