We value the deep relationships that we are able to build with our community signature partners. In many cases we have provided pro bono legal support to establish these organisations and we continue to support many of them through our pro bono program. We also support them through fundraising and our small grants and gift matching programs.
On a regular basis Freehills partners and staff give up their time and roll up their sleeves to provide practical support for our partner organisations. All staff can to take one working day a year as volunteer leave. We know that it is true that we benefit as much if not more than our community clients do from the time that we can give, all our volunteer activities are very popular with staff.
Due to our relationships with signature partners we do not have a grant invitation program. The partners with whom we work include:
In Australia
Able Australia
Able Australia is a multifaceted organisation which aims to create a community where people with multiple disabilities including deafness and blindness are seen, heard, respected, valued and connected. Our support for Able Australia involves volunteering in a variety of activities, from building sensory gardens to creative art programs. Volunteers in our Melbourne office are taught tactile sign language so they can communicate with people supported by Able Australia. Freehills also provides financial support, including matching donations raised through fundraising activities.
Australian Wildlife Conservancy Fund
The Australian Wildlife Conservancy Fund (AWC) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of Australia’s threatened wildlife and ecosystems. AWC has achieved recognition as one of the ‘Top Ten Sanctuaries of the Decade’ globally for its work at Mornington in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. Freehills has a long-running relationship with AWC. Freehills volunteers and their friends and families regularly attend the Paruna and Karakamia sanctuaries to assist with natural revegetation through tree planting, as well as helping in other areas such as track maintenance. Guided wildlife and wildflower walks are also organised each year.
The Big Issue
The Big Issue Australia is an independent organisation that develops and operates social enterprises and creative, sustainable solutions to homelessness, providing opportunities for homeless and marginalised people to positively change their lives.
Through the Street Magazine Enterprise, vendors sell The Big Issue—a fortnightly entertainment and current affairs magazine—on the streets around Australia. Half of the $5 cover price goes directly to the vendor selling the magazine. As well as giving vendors a much-needed source of income, selling the magazine also boosts their confidence, promotes discipline and encourages social interaction.
We are currently helping The Big Issue develop The Big Issue at Work into a national initiative. Vendors come to our offices each fortnight in Melbourne, Perth or Sydney. We provide a safe selling environment for female vendors, and staff have opportunity to come and catch up with the vendor each fortnight and buy their copy of the magazine.
The Clontarf Foundation
The Clontarf Foundation in Western Australia is a not-for-profit organisation established to help and improve the health, employment, education and life skills of indigenous teenage boys. We provided pro bono support to establish their charitable status. Our support continues with the development of the Freehills Foundation Clontarf Boys Social Program. This is a way for Freehills staff to engage with the male students from all over Western Australia who board in Perth and are separated from their families. Activities such as tubing, beach volleyball and ice skating give the boys and positive life experiences as well as providing structure, supervision and support to their weekends. All expenses are covered by Freehills Foundation.
In Perth we run our mentoring program with Clontarf Aboriginal College.
Youngcare
Youngcare’s purpose is to put hope, possibilities and dignity into people’s lives. Many young Australians are forced to reside in aged care facilities, simply because there are no alternatives. Youngcare provides relevant and dignified lifestyles for young Australians with high care needs.
Staff in our Brisbane office provided pro bono support to establish Youngcare; we provided pro bono legal assistance and Wesley Mission provided land to build 16 architecturally-designed, purpose-built apartments at Sinnamon Park for young people struggling with multiple sclerosis. The entire Freehills Brisbane office has supported the construction and opening of these contemporary apartments to get young people out of aged nursing home care.
Our support continues with regular fundraising and volunteering. We have also given Youngcare a small grant.
Come In Youth Resource Centre
The Come In Youth Resource Centre (CIC) is a community-based adolescent counselling and support service operating in Paddington, Sydney. The CIC provides therapy, counselling, advocacy, accommodation services and practical assistance to over 300 highly disadvantaged young people between the ages of 14 and 24. It also works closely with The Shopfront Youth Legal Centre and its clients. Freehills staff have accompanied the CIC clients on excursions to the Sydney Harbour Bridge Climb, Powerhouse Museum and the Sky Tower. The aim of the activities is to expose clients of the CIC to new experiences with new people. The clients of the CIC benefit from the interaction with Freehills staff who are motivated, interested in helping and are positive role models.
Brotherhood of St Laurence
Freehills volunteers run an extremely successful breakfast program with Brotherhood of St Laurence in the Atherton Garden Community Centre in Fitzroy, every Thursday 7.30am–9.30am. This provides a perfect opportunity for enthusiastic volunteers from all areas of the firm to assist kids by serving nutritious breakfasts, playing games, talking with parents or providing homework help.
Other partners
Our other partners include:
- United Way
- Ronald McDonald House
- Yalari
International program
Opportunity International Australia
Opportunity International uses a business and entrepreneurial approach that supports individuals and communities to overcome poverty.
The Opportunity International Network provides microfinance and enterprise development services in 27 developing countries. Opportunity International Australia concentrates its support in Asia, currently supporting operations in Indonesia, the Philippines and India.
OIA raises and distributes funds to establish and expand Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), who serve the working poor with loans, savings, insurance, money transfers, business and personal development training. They combine these financial services with enterprise development services to help clients grow their micro-businesses.
In recent years many committed staff members have supported OIA events to raise awareness and funds, including a popular Christmas market selling goods made by OIA funded microfinance businesses. In particular, Freehills staff have supported the Sharada microfinance initiative which operates across 5 states in southern India providing finance to over 100,000 clients
Student Sponsorship Scheme
For many years we have supported education for 40 Indonesian children through the Student Sponsorship Scheme of The Australia and New Zealand Association in Jakarta.
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