Art Saves Community Centre, Boosts Kids' Lives

0:00It's March 1st. Here's your Adelaide News in two minutes. A charity art exhibition at Sydney's Botanic Garden has saved the community center in New South Wales, Ilawera region. The event raised $65,000 through donated works from top Australian artists and pieces made by local kids. This funding secures the future of the Bundelair Community Center in Warawong, run by Barnardos. Demand for the Center's Services has exploded amid the cost of living crisis. Programs handing out food parcels and offering advice have seen a five-fold jump in users over the past year. Rising costs and tough funding competition left cash tight, forcing leaders to worry about cutting programs. Four years back, single mom Jenna Duffy was homeless, staying in motels with her eight kids. The center gave them breakfast, art classes, and support to rebuild their lives. Today, she's in her own home, working full-time, and studying age care, all thanks to that help. Kids like Jenna's 11-year-old daughter, Amethyst, have thrived in the art program.

1:03Her paintings hung alongside pros like Ben Quilty and Ken Dunn, each piece highlighting stable homes. More sales could boost the total even higher. The money will cover staff boosts and keep operations running smoothly. Center manager Melissa Andrews called it a lifeline to meet community needs without losing trust. Families save places like this prevent real hardship. This story is made possible by our sponsor. Some people meditate. I just lay down and press play.