NEWS of a significant cash donation that changed the outlook of a vital Griffith counselling and crisis accommodation service got lost in cyberspace.
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Staff at Barnabas House were floored when The Area News alerted them to a $10,000 cash injection from the Commonwealth Bank granted to the centre to expand the "Gift of Hope" counselling service, helping young locals deal with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and cyber addiction or just needing someone to talk to.
According to Barnabas House employee Lyn Harvie, a typographical error in an email address meant they were the last one to find out the "stunning" news.
"This grant gives more kids an opportunity to talk about their issues and get help with healthy pathways back to healthy thinking and living," Mrs Harvie said.
Having just realised their organisation was one of the 238 youth-focused organisations across Australia to be given up a leg up from the bank's "Community Grant" program, staff were yet to determine the best use for the funds.
"The standard measure is six counselling sessions per person to bring them back to a state of normality and with this grant we could help 21 young people with six sessions each, fully funded," Mrs Harvie said. "Or we can subsidise counselling for everyone, so when someone comes in we can ask them what they can afford and we'd subsidise the rest using donations and this grant.
"We've had our ups and downs since Reverend Kevin Webb left (in February) but we're finding our feet after a change of guard and this grant has really got everyone excited."