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Reach is all about finding your dream and following it. We believe anyone can achieve, no matter what their circumstances.

Some of the Reach Crew have done some pretty cool things in the past like helping run the Make Poverty History Zero Seven Road Trip, worked at Camp America, started their own clothing labels, created websites, made albums and so much more…

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THE MALI INITIATIVE

“Human Potential is the world’s biggest untapped resource”

Elise Klein (Mali Initiative Co-founder)

The Mali Initiative is a not-for-profit network of committed individuals and organisations whose vision is that human potential in Mali, West Africa is unleashed to create a sustainable world. Through friendship and equal partnership, we assist communities from around the world turn their dreams and aspirations of sustainable development into reality.

Since it began in 2005, the Mali Initiative has:

• Built a primary school in Kalabankoro (on the outskirts of Mali’s capital, Bamako) 2005
• Expanded the school to include a secondary school (2006)
• Launched a micro credit organisation for women (2006)
• Provided vocational and literacy training for street kids (2007)
• Improved the Kalabankoro school’s facilities by adding a library and computer room(2007)
• Built and equiped a community heath care centre (2007)
• Constructed two class-rooms in rural Niamana village (2008)

For more information on the Mali Initiative visit www.mali-initiative.org.

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THE BROADBRIDGE FUND

Trisha Broadbridge (Silvers)

Trisha is one of The Reach Foundation’s original ‘Crew’ (young leaders), and since 2000 has been facilitating and inspiring groups of teenagers in activity based, educational programs, helping them to improve overall levels of self-esteem.  She specialises in leading workshops and that give teenagers a place where they can connect with others and be heard.

Trisha’s first experience of Reach was in 1998 at Balwyn High School when Jim Stynes, one of the founders of Reach, ran a workshop.

“I left school in Year 10 because I was struggling a bit in the school system,” she says.

After leaving high school Trisha went on to complete an AFL Traineeship, before being employed by Melbourne Football Club as an events assistant.

By 2001 she was ready to hit the books again and completed her VCE at the Council of Adult Education.  In 2004, she was awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and English from Latrobe University.

“During all this, I worked a huge number of hours at Reach and really enjoyed the opportunity of helping young people,” says Trisha.

After losing her husband, Troy Broadbridge, in the 2004 Asian Tsunami, Trisha joined forces with The Reach Foundation to establish the Reach Broadbridge Fund, which she now manages on a part-time basis.

She has, with the help of the Melbourne Football club, established The Broadbridge Education Centre on Thailand’s Phi Phi Island. This centre assists young people affected by the tsunami, allowing them to continue to learn after such devastation. The Reach Broadbridge Fund also raises money to take Reach’s youth programs to South Australia (Troy’s home state).

Trisha officially launched her book, Beyond the Wave – A Tsunami Survivor’s Story on November 9 2005 at The Reach Dream Factory.

“Something that I’ve always lived by – and Troy lived by, too – is that no matter what happens you have got to keep going. Troy always believed that you could turn a negative into a positive,” Trisha says

In 2006, Australia celebrated Trisha’s achievements and contribution by awarding her Young Australian of the Year.  During this year, she was a contestant on Channel 9’s “Torvill and Dean’s: Dancing on Ice”.

Trisha completed her Graduate Diploma International Development at RMIT University and 2006-2009 Advisory Board Member of the Youth Mental Health Fund (Department of Health and Ageing) and Board Member of Family Life.  In 2007, Trisha was a philanthropic advisor for ANZ Trustees, managing charitable foundations.

Trisha continues to visit the education centre on Phi Phi and has recently completed a six-month stint in Cambodia as part of the International Financial Corporation’s, Wing project; a program that aims to reduce poverty and improves people’s lives through the provision of a technical platform for mobile banking. On her return to Melbourne, Trisha returned to her roots to take up the position of Head of Program Delivery with The Reach Foundation.

To learn more, contact Reach on 03 9412 0900.

The Reach Broadbridge Fund and the Melbourne Football Club built an education centre on Phi Phi Island, with significant contributions (financial and in-kind materials) from many different organisations and individuals. The education centre is for children whose school was devastated in the Boxing Day Tsunami. Some of these kids have not been able to attend school since; others have left Phi Phi Island and their families in order to get an education. The cost of the teacher, supplies and maintenance cost each year is AUS$20,000. This year the cost was covered by Russell Robertson’s votes on “It Takes Two”.

Make a Donation

Download the Reach Broadbridge Fund Donation Form

For enquiries please call 03 9412 0900 or email.
All contributions over $2 for activities in Australia are tax deductible. Contributions for Thailand activities are not tax deductible.