The City's Disaster Recovery Grants program has provided financial relief to 23 community organisations and six wellbeing programs to the value of $600,000 in the wake of the severe storms over Christmas.
The grants program was launched as part of the City's plan for disaster recovery to give a funding boost to not-for-profit organisations that provided ongoing community support.
It assisted local sporting clubs and performing arts organisations with repairs and replacing damaged goods, Currumbin Wildlife Hospital to care for an increase in wildlife admissions and rural fire brigades.
The grant was also allocated to wellbeing organisations to ensure everyone in the community has access to mental health support services.
"Ongoing financial and mental health support has been crucial in the Gold Coast's recovery following these severe weather events the city experienced," said Mayor Tom Tate.
"The City's Disaster Recovery Grants are providing community organisations with increased resources and essential services to continue to assist everyone who needs support following this traumatic event."
"These organisations are the pillar of our community and I thank them for their selfless contributions over recent months."
Up to $20,000 each was offered to the selected community groups, while up to $100,000 each was offered to the six wellbeing programs for increased counselling services and psychological support.
The Rapid Relief Team (RRT) was one grant recipient who received $9,800 and is using this to provide 200 shelf-stable food boxes to residents impacted by the severe storms.
The food boxes will provide both food and financial relief, to support those struggling with the existing cost of living pressures.
RRT Brisbane Local Team Leader, Stephen Taylor said: "We pack our Food Boxes full of non-perishables products that can provide temporary food relief with items including cereal, long-life milk, canned fish, rice, pasta and other snacks."
"Rapid Relief Team volunteers helped in the immediate clean-up after the floods, and we are pleased we can continue to give back in a different way five months on." Stephen said.
Get Mentally Fit is another recipient who received $13,220 to deliver a series of workshops offering participants practical strategies to safeguard their emotional wellbeing following the disaster.
"We understand the profound impact severe weather events can have on individual and community psychosocial wellbeing, and we are committed to offering effective strategies for recovery," said Emily Johnson, Principal Psychologist and Co-founder at Get Mentally Fit.
"The goal of these workshops is to empower participants, their families, and the wider Gold Coast community to gain a healthier perspective of their personal situation and future-proof them to navigate life more positively moving forward," added Emily.
Disaster Recovery Grant recipients
Community organisations
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Wellbeing grants
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