Foundation Prize supports children in out of home care

In alignment with this spirit of service has been the establishment of the St Margaret’s Foundation Prize, awarded annually at Speech Night to a student who has made an evident commitment to the philanthropic endeavours of St Margaret’s. $500 from this award is donated to a charity chosen by the prize recipient. The 2023 prize recipient, Lily Alford (’24), chose to donate to the Pyjama Foundation due to its remarkable work with children in out-of-home care.

The Pyjama Foundation hopes to provide every child in care with unlimited opportunities, empowering them with confidence, connection and learning. The structures of early intervention, support, and mentoring for children in care are pivotal in making a life-long impact.

Lily presented the donation to the Pyjama Foundation on Assembly in May and addressed her fellow students sharing these words.

“In Australia, approximately 46,200 children are in out-of-home care, often removed from their original homes due to abuse, trauma, and neglect. Lacking stable, nurturing family relationships and consistent schooling. By age 7, 92% of these children have below-average ready skills, and three-quarters fail to complete high school. Consequently, these children face severe long-term socio-economic challenges.

“Upon exiting out-of-home-care, 35% experience homelessness, encounter higher rates of mental illness and substance abuse, suffer greater unemployment or underemployment, and are more likely to engage with the criminal justice system as juveniles. Moreover, they are prone to early parenthood, compounding their struggles with stability and perpetuating a cycle of hardship.”

“This Brisbane-based charity aims to enhance the life trajectories of these children through targeted interventions that build learning capabilities, life skills, and self-confidence. The foundation’s Love of Learning Program enlists ‘Pyjama Angels’—committed volunteers who work one-on-one with children, engaging them in educational activities such as reading books, playing cognitive games, and assisting with homework. This program not only improves literacy and numeracy but also helps the children form and sustain healthy adult relationships, thereby boosting their confidence and enjoyment in learning.

“By supporting The Pyjama Foundation, I hope to contribute to a cause that fosters not just individual growth but also seeks to break a pervasive cycle of disadvantage, thereby positively influencing the futures of these young individuals,” said Lily.

As well as being the recipient of the Foundation Prize, Lily’s philanthropic endeavours have been extensive across her time at St Margaret’s. She was also the recipient of The Winifred Cawley Memorial Prize for Service and Loyalty and the ADF Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork Award. She has participated in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme as well as the Ponytail Project, marking a significant contribution to both the school and wider community.

Lily’s longstanding philanthropic ethos will continue to guide her following her time at St Margaret’s, given her clear passion for service to others and her compassionate heart.