Optus announced today funding for 23 community projects to reduce social isolation for those in need and reconnect disengaged youth in the community - each project receiving funding of up to $5,000.

"Optus connects friends, family and communities every day via its products and services. Today, Optus' funding is helping 23 community organisations connect with some of the most disadvantaged in our community," Jann Kohlman, Optus Group Manager, Sponsorship and Community Programs said.

The Optus Connecting Communities Grants program is an essential addition to the Optus Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and all 23 community organisations compliment our community investment focus in the areas of social isolation and disengaged youth.

Examples of the supported projects include:

• $5,000 for Computer Skills for Refugee Mothers (Centacare Catholic Family Services Victoria). Optus will support two six week training of courses for 24 newly arrived refugee mothers. The aim of the project was to enhance access to resources available on a range of social services, to enable them to enter the Australian workforce, to help their children with studies and to increase social interaction.
• $5,000 for Collie Youth Services (Youth Focus Inc.). Optus will support early intervention services for young people at risk of suicide, depression or self-harm. The support will be focussed in the rural town of Collie, Western Australia.
• $5,000 for the YET Wilderness Project (Youth Enterprise Trust). Optus will support a wilderness project for disadvantaged young Australians in Central Queensland. It has a commitment to create significant change to ensure physical, social, emotional and mental well-being for young people, families and communities through human and financial investment.

The projects are being funded through the Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program where Optus encouraged employees to apply on behalf of not-for-profit organisations as well as not-for-profits could applying directly for funding.

"I am delighted Optus staff nominated so many worthy projects for support. Optus staff are involved in many community organisations in their own personal lives and Optus is proud to support the communities in which we live and work," Ms Kohlman said.

Optus supports 13 charity partners nationally in addition to the Community Grants Program including Mission Australia, World Vision, Youth off the Streets and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy.

Media contact:
Tracy Monkman
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 5302

About the Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program
The Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program is part of Optus commitment to help build better Australian communities. Under this national program, grants are awarded annually to both Optus employees and not-for-profit organisations for projects that proactively reduce social isolation and provide solutions for disengaged young people. Applications for the 2009 Program will open on 4th May.

For more information visit: www.optus.com.au/grantsprogram.