GREATER Shepparton Foundation has provided a $30,000 grant to St Paul’s African House in Shepparton to help keep the doors open of this important hub for our diverse community.
St Paul’s African House provides a safe, welcoming space where people who identify with African cultures can gather to preserve, honour, celebrate and pass on their cultures through stories, music, dance, food, and fellowship. It’s also a hub that supports capacity building in migrant and refugee communities and provides opportunities for the wider Shepparton community to engage, connect and grow.
“It’s really important to keep African House open. It provides a place where our cultures and community can come together,” said, South Sudanese community member, Rebecca Awan.
Despite having recently received a ‘highly commended for the ‘Community Innovation Award’ from the Victorian Multicultural Commission, St Paul’s African House is facing closure.
“Like many other small not for profit organisations, the last two years of the COVID pandemic have decimated our income due to a loss in annual revenues from venue hire. Revenues in 2020 and 2021 have been reduced by 70% compared to 2019, severely impacting our ability to deliver the programs, connection, and care to our communities,” said African House partnerships and programs manager, Kate Radevski.
“While our grant of $30,000 will help keep the doors open, they do require additional funding and support until their income sources can return. Greater Shepparton Foundation supports local-led expertise that strengthens our local community, and African House is a wonderful example of what community can do for community. I urge other businesses and individuals to do the same so that this service is not lost,” said Greater Shepparton Foundation CEO, Cheryl Hammer.
