5 May 2016
New Grants Team member
It is one thing being a resident in one of Youngcare’s apartments, and another to work with the organisation as a staff member. Since starting my role as a Grants Administrator at the beginning of the year, I have come to appreciate the many moving parts within the organisation, not just constructing accommodation, but the co-ordination it takes to run events, to keep in contact with current as well as potential donors, and the importance of planning the strategic direction of Youngcare as it passes one decade and moves into the next.
I think it is important that a Youngcare resident is actually an employee; I am just extremely lucky that person is me. One of the key components of my role is to provide support for people with disabilities who have run out of options, and are looking to the grants program to provide temporary or permanent relief.
Before I moved into the Sinnamon Park apartments, I was one of those people. I was making the same phone calls, asking the same questions, and I was as desperate as many of our applicants.
I can empathise with their experience, because I know what questions to ask, and hopefully more often than not, what options are available to them.
I am employed at Youngcare because I have the experience, knowledge and qualifications to do my job well. However, Youngcare have been a remarkable employer thus far, as they have tailored the role to suit my needs. They appreciate that sometimes my physical needs can hamper my ability to work in set and restricted hours. Much of my work can be done from home, so they are flexible with my hours.
My short experience as an employee has proven that Youngcare not only promote inclusion at every opportunity, but they preach, and believe in it too.
Todd Winther
Pictured: Samantha Kennerley (Youngcare CEO) and Todd Winther (Youngcare Grants Administrator)
