Gateways kinder kids benefit from Lions Club of Geelong donation

The Lions Club of Geelong continue to give back to our community by making a donation of $22,500 yesterday to our Early Learning Kindergarten Program.

Michelle Challis from the Lions Club said that they “are receiving increasing requests for financial assistance for children with autism, and the club wanted to benefit as many children as possible with the funds available.”

The Lions Club of Geelong first learnt about the Gateways Early Learning Kindergarten program in 2016 and the important difference it made in the lives of children with disabilities and their families.

Gateways Therapy and Inclusion Manager Bernadette Walker said the Early Learning Kindergarten can successfully cater for children who may find it very challenging to be part of a larger group in a mainstream kindergarten because of their additional needs.

“The children attending often have significant challenges in daily living, including autism, high anxiety levels, sensory needs or developmental delays, so it’s very important that we are able to provide them with the extra support they need.”

“We are enormously thankful for donations such as this, which make a huge difference for the local children attending our Early Learning Kindergarten. It enables us to provide skilled educators, small group size and a significantly higher staffing ratio to maximise teaching and learning opportunities for each child.” Mrs Walker added.

This year children attending the program come from across the region including Torquay, Geelong West, Corio and Highton. The Lions Club of Geelong are helping each of these children to have the best possible start to their education and life journey.

Lions Club of Geelong Past President & Current Membership Officer Michelle Challis & Secretary Maree Konieczka presented the donation of $22,500 to Gateways Therapy & Inclusion Support Manager Bernadette Walker & Early Learning Program kinder student Emma