In the peak of Melbourne’s first lockdown in 2020, Blackburn residents Elise Stevens and Natalie Dymond met (socially-distanced) at a park and conversation inevitably turned to the continued uncertainty of COVID-19.
They each felt an overwhelming responsibility to help others who were experiencing particular hardship at this time. And the seed was planted from which The Generosity Collective grew; a registered charity created to provide essential clothing and items to disadvantaged individuals and families in Melbourne’s East.
We’ve seen firsthand the generosity of others in our community when called upon over the years, and we knew we had a strong base of dedicated, generous and community minded people to begin and grow this project.
The Generosity Collective was very soon able to begin assisting organisations like Refuge Victoria who support some of our community’s most vulnerable residents.
Elise, Natalie and their helpers collect new and quality pre-loved clothing for children, youth and adults along with new underwear, toiletries, backpacks and duffel bags. They then direct the generosity of their donors to meet the short-term needs of people facing a variety of challenges.
As quickly as donations are collected, they are sorted and made up into Generosity Crisis Care Packs and delivered straight to organisations like ours. Our staff send a support request based on each individual’s needs and like magic, the Generosity Collective team act incredibly quickly to deliver packs to help to provide our clients with immediate support.
The Generosity Collective is also focused on minimising their environmental footprint.
To be able to rehome and repurpose quality secondhand clothing helps to divert mountains of materials going to landfill.
Elise and Natalie are keen to extend the support they can provide to both individuals and organisations by getting more schools, businesses, sporting clubs and community groups involved making donations. In turn, they want to see a ripple effect where more children and families will see how a simple act of kindness and generosity can have a big and immediate impact on people’s lives.
On behalf of our clients, Refuge Victoria applauds Elise, Natalie and their volunteers and of course their generous donors.
Generosity is your untapped superpower, and we urge you to be the much-needed hero in a stranger’s life.
Find out more
The Generosity Collective or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @thegenerositycollectiveinc
