Two community groups named local winners of the Vicinity Community Grants through Lake Haven Centre

• YMCA of Sydney Youth & Community and Toukley Neighbourhood Centre have been announced as the latest recipients of the Vicinity Community Grants program
• Community Grants program directs $110,000 into community groups in 2024

YMCA of Sydney Youth & Community Services and Toukley Neighbourhood Centre have been announced local recipients of grants to continue the work they both do to support the local community.

The grants are part of Lake Haven Centre’s Vicinity Community Grants program, an initiative in its second year aimed at empowering local community groups to deliver programs that strengthen community resilience and connectedness.

YMCA of Sydney Youth & Community Services secured $6,000 to further develop its popular weekly Lake Haven Streetgym Program; an award-winning universal prevention program that offers free fitness, food, and mental health support for local young people, first established in 2020.

The $2,630 funding awarded to Toukley Neighbourhood Centre will help the group provide activities for local vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, including a community event targeted for April 2025.

Joanne Brody, Centre Manager, said the grant will help them to continue the positive work it does to strengthen the Lake Haven community.

“YMCA of Sydney Youth & Community Services applied through our community grants program and, with its Streetgym Program having successfully engaged over 500 young people in the past few years, we’re confident this funding will help them continue to have a positive impact on our community,” said Ms Brody.

“Aligned with the YMCA’s Streetgym Program is the work of Toukley Neighbourhood Centre which also supports our local young people and we’re looking forward to seeing how their work will benefit the community.”

First launched in 2023, Vicinity Community Grants is focused on four key areas: youth engagement and employment, environment, education, and community well-being. With a total pool of $110,000, the program reflects Vicinity's ongoing commitment to local communities and creating meaningful places where people connect.