Raw Potential offers outreach, emergency relief and education programs for vulnerable and at-risk Canberrans aged 12 to 25. Photo: Thomas Lucraft.
“When the heart of Canberra’s business community beats in sync with a cause, magic happens.”
This is part of grassroots organisation Raw Potential’s call for support from Canberra locals as it approaches an important annual fundraiser on Thursday 19 October.
Genfocus and Shaw and Partners will be supporting Raw Potential as part of a networking and fundraising event at The Marion, where member of the business community will learn more about the organisation and how it is supporting the community around us.
Raw Potential works to empower disadvantaged youth by providing them with non-judgemental support and opportunities for a brighter future.
In 2022, it helped more than 1500 at-risk youth through outreach alone, which includes programs at Woden Community Centre to educate young people about valuable life skills and physical and mental wellbeing.
John Miller is the chair of Raw Potential’s board. The organisation was set up almost 40 years ago.
“Business and community leaders came together to help young people at risk, many of them extremely vulnerable, and we were born,” John said.
“The hard fact is that 1 in 10 young Canberrans experience homelessness. These young people can fall through the cracks simply because they don’t know where to turn, or don’t want to necessarily engage with mainstream service providers.
“We hear many stories about the number of people that are out on the streets and sleeping rough. We’ve seen things like the recent pandemic and subsequent cost of living crisis really exacerbate the problem for people who need help from organisations such as ours.”
The Raw Potential van can often be seen out and about, delivering outreach services, connecting with at-risk individuals and providing emergency relief such as food, water, clothing and personal care items.
Outreach workers like Stacy help Raw Potential empower Canberra’s disadvantaged youth from all over the city. Photo: Raw Potential.
“The outreach van is so important – a lot of young people recognise the van while it’s out on the streets, and that familiarity might be the push they need to ask for help. We have a number of what we call ‘roadie’ sponsors, but we’re always looking for more people to support that vehicle,” John said.
“We’ve seen people in our cohort suffering from physical abuse, poverty, abandonment, manipulation … They’re often out there alone, fending for themselves.
“I had one young lady who was so grateful for everything Stacy [one of the outreach workers] has done, that she said Stacy saved her. That makes you feel very warm.”
Hosted by homegrown businesses Genfocus and Shaw and Partners, the annual fundraiser and networking event will provide Raw Potential with an opportunity to connect with potential supporters from all walks of life.
John extends his thanks to event organisers and sponsors on behalf of Raw Potential staff and clients for the key opportunity.
“We’re always grateful for these opportunities as a small organisation. Raw Potential has to raise upwards of a quarter of a million dollars every year to keep our services running,” he says.
“Every dollar will be strategically channelled to strengthen our programs, tailor our resources, and equip young people with the skills, opportunities and confidence to thrive.
“At the heart of it, this is more than just a donation – it’s a joint investment in a brighter, more resilient future for vulnerable young Canberrans.”
You can also support at-risk young people in Canberra by clicking here.
Funds raised will support Raw Potential’s critical work empowering Canberra’s disadvantaged youth through direct, non-judgemental and opportunity-focused services.
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