17 Jun 2024

Empowering the Next Generation: Life Ed Impact and Vision for the Future

Explore Life Education's impact on children's education in Australia and their ambitious future goals. Learn about their initiatives and how to support their mission.

Catalyser

As the end of the financial year approaches, our team had the pleasure of meeting with Russell D’Costa, CEO, Life Ed Australia. During our discussion, we explored the impressive progress Life Ed has achieved and their ambitious goals for the year ahead. Through their unwavering commitment to children's education, Life Ed continues to make a profound impact across the nation.

Educational Reach and Impact:

Life Ed has made significant progress in the past financial year, reaching nearly 600,000 children across 4,000 schools nationwide. Their educational programs cover a wide range of crucial topics, including vaping, online safety, consent, respectful relationships, drugs, alcohol, health, and nutrition. One standout initiative is the "Take a Breath" module, launched in January, which addresses vaping and tobacco use. This program has garnered substantial support and uptake in schools across the country, funded by both Commonwealth and corporate partners.

Thrive Children's Fund:

A cornerstone of Life Ed's efforts is the Thrive Children's Fund. This fund is dedicated to supporting the delivery of educational programs in low socio-economic, rural, and remote areas. This year, the fund aims to reach over 10,000 children in 82 schools.

Corporate Partnerships:

Corporate support plays a vital role in the success of Life Ed's programs. Notable partners such as Woolworths, Sanitarium, and Officeworks have been instrumental in backing the Thrive Children's Fund. These partnerships help underwrite the costs of delivering essential educational programs to schools that might otherwise be unable to afford them.

Goals for FY25:

Looking ahead, Life Ed has set two primary goals for the next financial year:

Increase Funds: Raising more funds to support the expansion and enhancement of their educational programs.
Expand Reach: Aiming to educate more children, particularly in underserved and remote areas, to ensure they have the knowledge and skills to make healthier choices as they grow.

Scott Mosen emphasised the importance of these goals, noting the varying costs of delivering programs across different regions. For instance, reaching remote areas like the Northern Territory involves significant logistical challenges and higher expenses compared to more accessible locations.

Engaging Corporate Employees:

An essential aspect of the EOFY campaign is engaging corporate employees. Companies can support Life Ed by purchasing the Give Back Card, with proceeds helping Life Ed achieve its mission. This not only provides critical funding but also helps raise awareness among employees about the importance of supporting educational programs for children in low socio-economic areas.

Final thoughts

By raising funds and expanding their reach, Life Ed aims to ensure that every child, regardless of their socio-economic background, has the opportunity to thrive. The support of corporate partners and the broader community is crucial in helping Life Ed achieve its mission. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of Australian children, providing them with the knowledge and skills to make healthier choices as they grow