Social commitment
Social commitment is an integral part of the culture in our Sydney office - we maintain close relationships with charities which IMC staff can have a meaningful personal involvement with, focusing in particular on the education and support of disadvantaged students in the community.
IMC Sky High
In 2012, IMC joined with the Australian Centre for Child and Youth (UTS) to launch IMC Sky High. Sky High is a two-year program for disadvantaged youth aged between 12 and 14 years, with a view to expand their aspirations and perception of options for the future. The program targets school children who may be in challenging circumstances and in danger of not completing their education satisfactorily.
Participation offers exposure to a diversity of experiences that may otherwise not be easily accessible to the students. The program activates connections with learning and schooling, which are then augmented and supported through formal and informal mentoring. Over the course of two years, on weekdays and weekends, students will visit a variety of workplaces and have time talking to and learning from experts in fields such as Business, Science, Environment, Law, Sport, Health, Media, The Arts and Hospitality.
IMC staff are encouraged to play an ongoing facilitative and mentoring role for the students in the program at weekend events.
Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation
IMC began a relationship with the Kitchen Garden Foundation in 2011, and has worked with several schools in low socio-economic areas to implement the Kitchen Garden Program. The program is highly successful in engaging students, teaching health and nutrition, as well as providing important lead-learning opportunities in maths, literacy and environment. It has also opened the door for IMC to have ongoing and meaningful involvement in the general education of students in some of Sydney’s poorest areas.
Grandparents-Raising-Grandchildren Program, Mission Australia
IMC sponsors Mission Australia's Grandparents-Raising-Grandchildren program, now in its 5th year. The program assists families from Shoalhaven to Ulladulla where grandparents care full-time for grandchildren – an unrecognised and unfunded need. In 2012/2013, IMC is heavily focused on sponsoring education initiatives for these children (many of which are years behind their peers at school) - such as a local study support centre and a summer study camp for youth from these families.
Other contributions
IMC also contributes to the following charities:
- Make-A-Wish Foundation
- Sir David Martin Foundation
- MS Australia
- OzHarvest