DURING October, St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals (SJGMPPH) launched its first ever charity of the year (CHOTY) program with a call out to all hospital caregivers to nominate charities and not for profit organisations that could be the primary beneficiary of fundraising activities undertaken across the hospital.

After careful consideration, Swan City Youth Services (SCYS) have been announced as the hospital’s first ever CHOTY.

SCYS were nominated by caregiver, Kirsten Broad and have been providing assistance for disadvantaged young people in the Midland area for almost 40 years.

The service operates on the ground and has a tangible impact upon the lives of young people living within the hospital’s catchment area.

The foundational principles of the service is to provide a holistic service for young people aged 12 to 25 who are struggling to break the cycle of poverty, disadvantage and alienation by providing case management, counselling, education programs, music, art, and many other programs as well as a drop-in centre for 12–25-year-olds.

SJGMPPH chief executive officer, Paul Dyer said the CHOTY program marked an important milestone in the hospital’s commitment to the local community.

“Our hospitals marked eight years of being a part of the Midland community in November and we decided that having a charity that we supported each year was one way that our caregivers could expand our impact beyond the hospital walls.

“Our first fundraising events were our end of year caregiver raffles that raised more than $11,000 that we will donate to SCYS to support their activities during the busy Christmas and new-year period.”

SCYS General Manager, Rachel Robertson said they were incredibly honoured and humbled to be named charity of the year.

“This recognition not only validates the hard work of our team and supporters but highlights the impact of our mission in the community.”