Our Strategic Partners
Our work is built on the foundations of strong governance, and the ongoing protection and leveraging of our capital and assets. We support multi-year philanthropic partnerships and impact investments for initiatives that are strongly supported by evidence and whose impact can be measured, to deliver clear outcomes for at-risk young people. Our partnering approach embraces program delivery, capability building, influencing systemic change and scaling impact.
We Currently Work With
YFS
For almost 40 years, YFS (formerly Youth and Family Services) has supported at-risk families and young people to thrive. In 2021, the community organisation in Logan City was awarded $900,000 over two years to help break the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage and build the capacity of vulnerable young parents. The tailored program focusses on stable housing, safe relationships, employment and education to support these young families to lead more independent lives and participate in their community. In 2023, this partnership was extended for another three years for $350,000 p.a.
Lady Musgrave Trust
Lady Musgrave Trust was awarded $150,000 over two years to pilot their tenancy support program for young mums at their Ipswich property. The program aims to nurture the self-confidence and self-determination of young mums, and demonstrate the additional value achieved at both an individual and system level, by investing in collaborative partnerships between support providers and housing services.
Services will include educational and vocational workshops and training and financial literacy programs, supporting the women to make a sustainable transition to independent living.
Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation
Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation supports Indigenous young people who have experienced trauma and adverse childhood experiences, to improve the neuroplasticity of their brain and overall brain health. The aim of the program is to help young people to improve their cognitive, social and emotional skills, leading to reengagement in schooling, training or employment and to reduce reoffending and repeat instances of youth detention. In 2023, Yiliyapinya Indigenous Corporation was awarded almost $950,000 over three years to deliver the program.
Men & Co. Services
Men & Co. Services helps young men and their families to lead happier and healthier lives. The Young Men’s program is a new initiative of Men & Co. to help young men, and specifically young fathers, better understand their emotions, use positive behaviours to deal with challenges, and to improve their health and wellbeing. In 2023, Men & Co. were awarded $992,000 over two years to develop and roll-out additional modules for targeted support, as well as training professionals to employ the techniques and frameworks underpinning the program.
Youth Advocacy Centre
Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC) will facilitate a Youth Ambassador Program, co-designed with young people to provide insights to Hand Heart Pocket on responding to the issues affecting young people of today, and the system and service changes needed to create better outcomes for the next generation. YAC has been awarded $250,000 for the initial design and implementation of the program.
Micah Projects
Micah Projects is a not-for-profit organisation in Brisbane that supports people facing adversity to access housing, healthcare and employment, based on their founding belief that every child and adult has the right to a home, income, healthcare, education, safety, dignity, and connection with their community. In 2022 they were awarded $1.5 million over three years to fund the Young Mothers for Young Women and Being Your Best programs in Brisbane and Caboolture to assist young parents to build support networks and reengage in employment and training. Previously in 2020, they received $800,000, consisting of a $400,000 grant and a $400,000 interest-free loan, to purchase and secure the Wellspring Hawthorne Hub. The Wellspring Hub provides a range of support services to vulnerable young families to break down barriers and create their own futures, supporting children and their mothers as they deal with the inter-related issues of domestic violence, traumas, poverty and homelessness.
Youth Insearch
Youth Insearch is a leading youth charity, providing case management and peer support to assist at-risk young people to overcome childhood trauma, improve their mental health, reduce involvement in offending behaviours and prevent youth suicide.
In 2020 the organisation was awarded $730,577 over three years to help deliver a specialised peer-to-peer program including weekend workshops, weekly local support groups, coupled with tailored case management support provided by youth support workers embedded across seven communities in the Western Downs, Wide Bay and greater Brisbane regions. In 2023, Youth Insearch was awarded a further $350,000 to extend the program for an additional year.
Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak
QATSICPP advocates the importance of supporting First Nations children, young people and their families to live safely within their own communities. They are the peak body representing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled child and family support services sector in Queensland. They are working with the Queensland Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services to implement major system reform to address the over representation of First Nations children and young people in the child protection system.
This will enable self-determination and the ability to exercise authority in child protection, providing positive outcomes for future generations of First Nations families, changing trajectories and helping to Close the Gap. In 2023 the organisation was awarded $400,000 p.a. for three years.
Stars Foundation
Stars Foundation offers tailored support and mentoring to First Nations girls and young women at a critical point in their lives – helping them to re-engage in education, finish their schooling and get a foot in the door to a career of their choice through work or tertiary study. Hand Heart Pocket has partnered with Stars Foundation to deliver this program in Townsville during 2022-23. In 2023, this partnership was extended for another two years for $400,00 p.a.
Brisbane Youth Service
Brisbane Youth Service supports at-risk young people to thrive. In 2020 the charity was awarded $915,000 over three years to fund their Safe and Connected Futures program which provides early intervention and case management support to homeless youths to re-establish family support networks, find safe housing and re-engage with education or employment.
Save the Children
Save the Children Fund Australia was awarded $500,000 in 2020 to deliver their Life Skills for Success program over three years in Papua New Guinea’s National Capital District and Morobe Province. In 2023, Save the Children was awarded a further $200,000 over three years to continue the program in Port Moresby, supporting young people to develop the foundational skills to set them up for success in education and employment. The program focuses on engaging and supporting marginalised young people, particularly adolescent girls and young people living with disability.
GIVIT
GIVIT is a non-profit organisation that connects donors with community organisations who assist people and communities in need, in times of hardship or disaster response. Hand Heart Pocket has partnered with GIVIT since 2021, donating $315,000 to-date on behalf of the Freemasons of Queensland, to support Disaster Relief Appeals in the wake of natural disasters across the state. Our Members and their families can also contribute to the appeals, knowing that every dollar donated directly assists affected communities.
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal
The Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) supports regional, rural and remote communities to be vibrant and resilient. In 2022, Hand Heart Pocket awarded FRRR $112,500 towards their Strengthening Rural Communities grants program, supporting communities in Queensland that are preparing for or recovering from natural disasters. In 2023, FRRR was awarded $285,000, of which a further $85,000 was for the Strengthening Rural Communities grants program, with $200,000 provided for their new Community-Led Climate Solutions grants program. This new grants program supports local community groups with innovative solutions that build their resilience to a changing climate, prepare for the energy transition to renewable sources, and reduce their carbon emissions.
