CLARENDON CHILDRENS FOUNDATION
Throughout its more than a century of history, Clarendon relied on gifts, bequests and fund raising – with government funding meeting less than half of the costs.
Many women and men dedicated years or decades of their lives to caring for mothers and children at Clarendon.
From the beginning of 2004 there was an alarming rise in the number of children entering care in Tasmania. There was an increase in requests for the placement of young children (under 5) and frequent requests for the placement of groups of young siblings. These requests highlighted the lack of holistic early intervention programs to support vulnerable families.
The Board struggled with the dilemma of finding sufficient funding to support long-term children’s placements and the need for preventative family support programs.
In response to this need the Clarendon Board closed the direct care programs and applied its assets to the creation of a Perpetual Fund that would provide grants to support agencies working with children and families. Distributions are now made, on application, to Anglican parishes in Tasmania, working ‘on the ground’ with families and children in need in their local area.