ANNUAL REPORT Sometimes all we need is someone to help show us the way. -Jessica Brown (Founder & CEO) Contents What lies behind us and what lies before us pales in comparison to what lies within us. - Ralph Waldo Emerson TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAIR MESSAGE 3 CHAIR MESSAGE I’m pleased to introduce the Life Changing Experience This year’s group of Little Sisters have been through their Foundation’s Annual Report for 2015. It’s been a busy amazing development experience, and we are pleased at 5 OUR YEAR and rewarding year, and I’m particularly happy to reflect the transformations we have seen so far. on the progress the Foundation has made towards its WHO WE HELP Thanks to the generous financial support of Jetstar, we are 6 vision to grow Australia’s most marginalised girls into set to commence and complete the first stage of national strong independent women capable of taking their place in 7 OUR PURPOSE expansion of the SISTER2sister to Wyndham City Council the world. in Melbourne’s West in Victoria in 2016. Wyndham City OUR PROGRAMS 9 We were delighted to nominate long term sponsor NIVEA Council is an area known for rapidly increasing population THE SISTER2SISTER PROGRAM for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards which is an and huge demand for addition youth services. We have 10 initiative of the Centre for Volunteering. They were awarded successfully recruited and trained our Melbourne Team OUR STRUCTURE state finalists in the Corporate Team Volunteering category Leaders who flew to Sydney throughout 2015 to be trained 12 in recognition and acknowledgement of the valuable role and mentored by our Sydney Team. The most WHO THE SISTER2SISTER they play in changing the lives of at-risk teenage girls. 13 PROGRAM HELPS Expansion to Melbourne will help us raise our profile The economic environment continues to be challenging, and attract additional funding opportunities, but most important thing HOW THE SISTER2SISTER and we continue to appreciate the generous support of importantly it means we can assist more at-risk teenagers 14 PROGRAM HELPS our sponsor, and other terrific organisations. Our ability to in Melbourne, to break the cycle of poverty, neglect and I’ve learned is to attract ongoing support and funding reflects recognition of abuse, and to work towards better lives for themselves and THE LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCES the benefits the Foundation provides to those in need. their families. never forget who 18 FOUNDATION STORY We have again been generously supported by NIVEA as Our dedicated Board has continued to provide guidance, 20 THE LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCES our primary sponsor for the SISTER2sister program, and support and oversight and I feel confident we have the you are because JOURNEY have also been supported by companies and Foundations building blocks in place to ensure our expansion is well such as Wyndham City Council, Commonwealth Bank, managed. 22 OUR TEAM we are all different Symantec, UNlimited, Big Sister Foundation and many Finally, I would like to express our gratitude and more. We are continually grateful for those organisations 24 BOARD OF DIRECTORS appreciation to our team, our dedicated volunteers, and my and amazing in who provide the much needed funds to allow us to extend fellow Directors for their continuing hard work, energy and PATRONS & AMBASSADORS our reach and assist more young women. our own ways. 26 enthusiasm. Without the tireless efforts of our Big Sisters, HOW YOU CAN HELP This year we were one of three Australian charities chosen Team Leaders, our psychologists and other volunteers we 28 to partner with Benefit Cosmetics in their Bold is Beautiful would not be able to provide such a valuable, service to SUPPORTERS campaign in the month of May. This is a global initiative teenage girls. 30 raising funds for women’s initiatives and was a huge WHERE OUR MONEY success. We are extremely honoured to continue our 34 COMES FROM & WHERE IT GOES relationship with Benefit into 2016. Jamie Lee - Little Sister 36 FINANCIALS Kate Boyle Chair Life Changing Experiences Foundation Ltd PAGE 2 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 33 Celebrating 8 years of partnership with NIVEA! The NIVEA brand values of honesty, Our year family, love, well-being and trust, are in harmony with the social commitment to family. As such, NIVEA has locally been the proud sponsor and supporter of Life Changing Experiences Foundation (LCEF) and their SISTER2sister Mentoring Program since 2009. One of the aims for Beiersdorf, is to help improve the future prospects of young people and promote equal opportunities for all, regardless of background. This vision, which is also shared with LCEF, was the inspiration for NIVEA joining in a partnership and supporting the SISTER2sister mentoring program. Our CEO Jessica Brown, was one of 24 community leaders to be chosen to participate in the 2015 This year we were one of three Australian charities Community Appreciation Police Program (CAPP). chosen to partner with Benefit Cosmetics Australia for their Bold is Beautiful campaign. In the month of May $10 For three days she walked in the shoes of the NSW from every brow service was donated to charity and the Police and learned about the lengths that Police go to campaign raised $200,000 which was split equally between to ensure the vital role of keeping our community safe. the charities. Other participants included Peter Overton, Liz Hayes and Catherine Harris. Due to the campaigns success it is now a global initiative We were delighted to nominate long term sponsor which we are honoured to part of again in 2016. Marnee May, our Program Coordinator was also chosen NIVEA for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards to participate in the Young Leaders CAPP program earlier which is an initiative of the Centre for Volunteering. this year. They were awarded state finalists in the Corporate Team Volunteering category in recognition and acknowledgement of the valuable role they play in changing the lives of at-risk teenage girls. We are thrilled to commence a long-term goal, to We are excited to announce our partnership with Continuing our partnership expand our SISTER2sister program into another state. Jetstar. The support from Jetstar is enabling the expansion with the Wests Tigers We can confirm that the program will be operating in of our SISTER2sister program into Melbourne, providing from 2012, Melbourne for the Wyndham City in 2016. support for on-the-ground research and planning. Thanks to co-sponsor Kris Gale from Michael Associates, with our in-stadium and on-field branding at their home games. PAGE 4 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 55 Our Purpose To empower vulnerable teenage girls to make positive life choices for a better future OUR VISION We grow Australia’s most marginalised girls into strong, Break the cycle of neglect, abuse, poverty and suffering independent women capable of taking their place in • of Australian ‘at risk’ youth by helping them to increase the world. their belief in themselves and encouraging them to take themselves out of their present environments so they OUR MISSION can make a difference to their lives; Implement our programs throughout Australia. Give disadvantaged young individuals the opportunity to be temporarily taken out of their environment to • Achieve total self-sustainability to effectively support all • participate in a once in a lifetime mentoring program; our programs through innovative fundraising strategies • which will teach them how to achieve personal and community involvement opportunities. contentment and fulfillment; Provide beneficiaries with ongoing opportunities to Provide disadvantaged youth with the chance to identify Who we help develop their skills and gain work experience. • • and explore their talents and learn how to utilise these Deliver programs that are credible and through them talents to enhance their lives and be active contributing The SISTER2sister program targets teenage girls (12-18) who are ‘at risk’ due to a direct result of • make a difference to Australian youth and their members of their community; trauma, parents in jail, with an addiction or mental illness, bereavement, poverty, abuse, neglect, respective communities. Teach our disadvantaged youth strategies to deal with homelessness, sickness/disability, family breakdown, etc. This includes girls from all nationalities, OUR OBJECTIVES • the emotional and physical trauma of the past, equip religions and socio economic groups. We accept girls who are in foster care, the minister’s care, them with skills to master life’s challenges and guide women’s refuges including young women who are expectant mothers, refuges for homeless Operate for the public benefit, in a charitable and them on the path to transforming their lives; benevolent way, by having disadvantaged young people young women, the juvenile justice system and young women who are in specific housing • Show young ‘at risk’ individuals how to facilitate at risk of abuse and neglect participate in a range of programs that accommodate mentally ill youth. purposeful change and personal growth by mentoring programs; • implementing self-help strategies to overcome Offer mentoring programs and opportunities within obstacles, draw on existing strengths and • the community specifically designed to educate our monitor progress. at risk youth and give them valuable positive life skills, independent living resources, risk management strategies and appropriate role models to nurture high self-esteem in Australian ‘at risk’ youth; PAGE 6 ANNUAL REPORT 2015 77 Our programs Child abuse and neglect is one of Australia’s most significant social problems. Sponsored by YOUNG GIRLS IN AUSTRALIA ARE PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE, AND ARE TWO TO THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ABUSED THAN BOYS. http://www.bravehearts.org.au The SISTER2sister program is a unique year-long mentoring program combining the benefits of one-on-one mentoring with monthly fun activities and life-skills workshops designed to challenge the girls, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and tap into their limitless potential.