Our Mission
Helping to improve the lives of young people who are marginalised; helping build confidence and self-worth and helping them to find their voice in an environment where their views are valued.
The Terry Campese Foundation was set up in 2012 for the (naïve, albeit well intentioned) purpose of helping anyone in need — of course the need was greater than one, small start-up foundation could service.
In the first few years TCF supported anyone and everyone who asked for help. As well as providing financial support through the Foundation, Terry has given hundreds of hours of his personal time, attending camps, serving food, speaking at events and so on.
The Foundation supports the Queanbeyan Sleepbus, Youth at risk and regional hospitals.
Helping to improve the lives of young people who are marginalised; helping build confidence and self-worth and helping them to find their voice in an environment where their views are valued.
The directors of the foundation (Terry Campese, Rob Bogdanoski CA and Pamela Slocum OAM) realising it was not possible to help everyone – stopped to take a breath and refocused the foundation.
The primary purpose now is to help disadvantaged young people and organisations in the Queanbeyan region, including the country towns of Braidwood, Bungendore and Captain’s Flat.
Working independently, and by also supporting individuals and organisations already working with young people experiencing disadvantage, TCF’s focus is on building on strengths and opportunities while providing tools to combat the situations some people find themselves in.
It’s likely the foundation will expand the focus in the future however, for the moment the concentration is on marginalised young people.
A community in which every young person, particularly those who are vulnerable, are given opportunities to improve their personal situation and are empowered to create change.
TCF is a major supporter, of the Queanbeyan Sleep Bus, Youth Mentor Program (Kokoda)*, Playstation/Xbox Queanbeyan and Braidwood Hospital
An example of ad hoc support in the past, includes paying off maxed out credit cards for struggling families and donating a van to a single Dad to enable him to keep his severely disabled son at home, rather than putting him into care.
TCF has provided financial and in kind support to a large number of individuals and groups over the years and hopes to continue supporting those most in need. The Foundation relies heavily on donations and fundraising events to help young people who fall through the cracks.
Human Kindness Helps us All
The Terry Campese Foundation is an independent, tax-deductible, not-for-profit charity with the goal of making kindness a greater part of everyone’s daily life.
The idea that helping others is part of a meaningful life has been around for thousands of years. Aristotle wrote that finding happiness and fulfillment is achieved “by loving rather than in being loved.”
Imagine this
5,000 people donate $5 each, every week
$25,000 x 52 weeks = $1,300,000 per year
Imagine how many young people could be helped