To our valued Learning for Life Village,

As we approach the end of 2023, we’d like to take this time to wish you all a safe and happy festive season – however you celebrate – and a chance to take time with family and friends.  We thank you for being part of the Learning for Life Village and for working with us to brighten the lives of the children we support.

OUR IMPACT
In taking time to reflect on the year that has passed it is important to note the tangible improvements in the lives of those we serve as well as the depth of our community engagement and collaborative partnerships.  This year, our growth and positive impact has included many achievements:

• 151 children received at least one Learning for Life service in the 22/23 Financial Year, with 142 families receiving support from us;
• We experienced growth in our School-Age Consultancy, Secret Agent Society skills program, Speech Pathology, Inclusion Works program and Specialist Behaviour Support service;
• Our team, with support from the Salesforce volunteer arm, has rolled out our data app, Leornian, and is now rolling out our carer portal to the app so that parents can access their child’s program and progress at any time;
• Our staff engagement in research continues, with our Inclusion Works Research Project now in the second year of its clinical phase.
• Our ongoing staff development has resulted in eight internal promotions; nine Association for Behaviour Analysis Australia (ABAA) registered professional members, three Certified Behaviour Analyst (CBA) registered staff and one NDIS Behaviour Support Practitioner registration for the 22-23 financial year.

You can read more about our impact and achievements in our 22/23 Annual Report.

BRIDGING THE GAPS TO ACCESS SUPPORT
Since 2004, L4Life has been dedicated to addressing the inequities in access to best-practice early intervention programs. Our Fair Access Subsidies have played a pivotal role in breaking down these barriers, enabling us to provide vital support to those who need it most, all thanks to our generous donors.

In 2023 eighteen children in our EIBI and School-Age programs have received financial subsidies from L4Life; helping these families to access the programs and support they need. Two of these wonderful families have agreed to share their stories, highlighting the transformative impact of your donations.

Alice* found Learning for Life when her son Wesley was diagnosed with Autism at two-and-a-half years of age. Despite initial challenges, Wesley has thrived through our Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) program, and Alice praises the individual focus and flexibility of both staff and programs. Alice has family amid war in Ukraine, causing upheaval, financial pressures and extreme emotional stress.  The flexibility and community that L3Life offers has helped her family through the difficult times; and the financial support through our subsidies has provided crucial assistance during funding applications and reviews, helping to reduce the burden of financial pressure for the family.

Poornima shares a similar journey. Coming from India, her family has had to navigate cultural barriers, an unfamiliar medical system and inaccessible funding. Despite these challenges, her son Likhil has experienced remarkable progress through early intervention at L4Life. The Fair Access Subsidy has been a lifeline for Poornima and her family, bridging financial gaps and ensuring Likhil receives the support he needs to progress his learning journey.

These powerful stories emphasise the importance of continued funding towards our Fair Access subsidies, which are funded through donations from our Village and contribute to breaking down financial barriers for families like Alice’s and Poornima’s.

In the spirit of giving, we ask you to join us in spreading warmth and cheer this festive season by donating to the Learning for Life Autism Centre’s end-of-year drive, aimed at growing our Fair Access subsidies.

How your end-of-year donation makes a difference:

• Enables children like Wesley and Likhil to thrive through Early Intensive Behavioural Intervention (EIBI) programs they may not otherwise have access to.
• Supports families like Alice’s and Poornima’s with continuous access to therapy despite breaks in funding.
• Allows Learning for Life to fund ancillary services not charged to families.

This season, let’s make a difference together. Your support not only enhances the lives of these incredible young individuals but also contributes to the overall mission of creating a more inclusive and supportive community.

To donate to our Fair Access Subsidies and make a change to the children and families we support, visit www.givenow.com.au/learningforlife. Every donation, big or small, brings us closer to ensuring that every child with autism receives the learning support they need to live the life they choose.

May your holiday season be filled with joy, love, and the satisfaction of knowing you’ve positively impacted the lives of children with autism.
Warmest wishes,