Little Friends Scholarship Launched To Help Kids

Friends With Dignity launched its national Little Friends Scholarship powered by Jeunesse Kids to help children affected by domestic violence not miss out on learning.

Manuela Whitford, founder, said domestic violence has so many ripple effects. "One of those is a disruption in a child's education," she said.

"When a person flees DV, the parent who leaves often does so with very little - money, clothes and other personal belongings.

"We know of families who leave with only what they can carry.  This means the child/ren do not have their school uniforms, books or school bags.

"This just adds to an already stressful situation."

Friends With Dignity provides critical and practical programs to assist survivors of domestic violence, be they men, women or children, in collaboration with refuges and crisis centres.

Manuela said with the support of corporate sponsor Jeunesse Kids, Friends With Dignity are now able to provide monetary scholarships. "Twice a year we will give funds to families to ensure all children have the ability to keep learning and/or keep taking part in their sports or extra-curricula activities that they may not be able to pursue because of the financial impact of domestica nand fmaily violence within their family environment," she said.

"Our existing Little Friends Program already covers educational requirements for example books, school shoes and uniforms and the Little Friends Scholarship powered by Jeunesse Kids covers two additional categories Curricular and Co curricular to provide additional financial support to help children affected by domestic and family violence with these costs so they do not miss out on the same opportunities as their peers.

"We want children to stand out for the right reasons and not be disadvantaged."

Scholarships are provided on a bi-annual basis with two categories of scholarships: 

- Educational 
- Extra-curricula

There will be five Educational Scholarships and five Extra-Curricula Scholarships awarded twice per year. Each scholarship is up to the value of $500.00 (maximum amount that can be applied for). 

Applications for round 1 are open now and close 31 July.

http://www.friendswithdignity.org.au/little-friends-scholarship/