Guest Speaker Report
by
Rotarian Peter Douglas
Wednesday 30 July 2008
Our guest speaker was Brian Odgers who has worked as a volunteer for the Exodus Foundation for 10 years. He was introduced by PP Peter Foss.
The Exodus Foundation was founded by the Rev Bill Crews in 1986 and has grown to become one of Sydney’s most important charities, meeting the needs of tens of thousands every year.
The ‘Loaves and Fishes’ facility located at Ashfield serves in excess of 400 meals to the needy and homeless 6 days a week. The entire function is staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers. Recently the Foundation was the recipient of all the excess non perishable food that had been provided for World Youth Day.
In addition there is a team of dedicated Doctors, Dentists, Lawyers, Accountants and Social Workers who give of their valuable time to assist the marginalised people of Sydney.
The success story of the Exodus Foundation is their Youth program. Over 130 children are mentored and counselled each year by dedicated volunteer teachers in an intensive program where the ratio of pupils to teachers is 6 to 1. In addition to learning there is a culture of raising the self esteem of the pupils. The base of the program originated at Macquarie University and is called the 3P program – Pause – Prompt – Praise. Parents are encouraged to attend the lessons.
We at Strathfield Rotary have a long standing relationship with the Exodus Foundation and Rev Bill has been at our Club on numerous occasions although not in recent times.
After questions from the floor Brian was thanked by PP Steve Taylor.
The photograph is of Brian Odgers and President Grahame.