Weave Youth & Community Services, a long-standing grassroots organisation in Waterloo, has been awarded $134,000 under the Federal Government’s Strong and Resilient Communities (SARC) program.
The grant is part of a $12 million national investment aimed at strengthening inclusion and fostering community connections.
Founded in 1976 by members of the South Sydney community, Weave has grown into a vital service hub for young people and families, particularly those from First Nations backgrounds. The organisation has a strong history of supporting people who have faced discrimination, homelessness, domestic violence and racism, offering counselling, mentoring, education programs and creative outlets.
The new SARC funding will support the launch of a group cooking program at Weave. Participants will share recipes and cultural stories, cook together, and ultimately collaborate on producing a community cookbook. The program is designed to strengthen bonds, celebrate cultural heritage, and provide a safe space for people to connect.
Minister for Social Services Tanya Plibersek, who visited Weave to announce the funding, praised the organisation’s impact. “The group cooking program at Weave Youth & Community Services is a great example of how local initiatives can truly make people feel like a valued member of their community,” Ms Plibersek said. “Projects like these bring people closer together and give them a real sense of belonging.”
Weave is one of 40 organisations across the country to benefit from this round of SARC funding, which will support programs for up to 6,000 people nationally. Since 2022, more than $50 million has been delivered through SARC to initiatives helping Australians overcome barriers to participation.
For locals, the grant is a recognition of the important role Weave has played for nearly five decades, and a promise of more shared meals and stories to come.
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More information about SARC is available on the Department of Social Services website.
