Guest speaker: Donna from Cottage By The Sea
We extend our appreciation to Donna from Cottage By The Sea for visiting our club last night and telling us about Cottage: a not-for-profit children’s charity in Queenscliff, that provides short-stay coastal programs for young people experiencing vulnerability, hardship, or disadvantage 
Cottage by the Sea began in 1890, and in the last 12 months alone has proved 1900 kids with short-stay programs designed to build self confidence and positive relationships.
Every year, Cottage helps change the lives of about 2000 children experiencing disadvantage.
There are three main programs run at Cottage:
1. Take a Break: aimed at children in primary school and encourages them to be active, healthy, confident and respectful. Kids learn to surf as well! 
2. The REEF program: aimed at ages 11-14 and fosters leadership and confidence through ten programs over two years. This program helps the transition from grade 6 to year 7. Teachers often call saying their kids are doing it tough during this period.
3. Mentor program: this helps support personal growth, leadership and learning how to be a mentor to others, in young people aged 13-18 with programs run annually for five years.
Cottage has helped kids from disaster affected areas such as those affected by bushfires and flooding. Cottage also provides scholarships to help participants with further approved travel, training or equipment.
There’s also a respite accommodation called Riptide Cottage, which houses short-term stays for families referred through agencies, facing challenges or needing a break.
For more information about Cottage by the Sea, including ways you can help, please visit https://www.cottagebythesea.com.au/
Thank you Donna for visiting us at Pascoe Vale Rotary!