Blue Connections believes in the work of the following charities and would encourage others to also support these organisations.

In recognition of their work in raising awareness of child abuse and advocating on behalf of abused children VICSPCAN was awarded an Advance Australia Award in 1992. In 1993, VICSPCAN committed itself to promoting the rights of children at a national level. In response to this additional objective, the organisation revised its mission and structure and adopted a new name: Australian Childhood Foundation.

The Australian Childhood Foundation work in a number of ways to reduce the harm caused by child abuse and family violence.

Counseling. They provide a range of free counseling services for children and young people affected by abuse and their families.

Advocacy for children. They speak out for improved and effective protective and support services for children and young people. All our programs affirm the importance of children.

Education and prevention programs. They provide training and workshops for community groups and professionals. Our prevention programs seek to reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect.

Research. In partnership with Monash University, They have established the Child Abuse and Family Violence Research Unit to conduct national research into the problem of child abuse and identify constructive solutions.

The Australian Childhood Foundation won the 1998 National and State Violence Prevention Awards for its efforts to prevent child abuse.

Reach Foundation

Reach is a Victorian based non-profit, non-denominational organisation, established in 1994 by football Brownlow Medallist Jim Stynes, and film director Paul Currie. Reach was set up to encourage all young people to realise their full potential by inspiring them to live their dreams.

Reach's vision is to communicate the message that young people no matter what their circumstance can achieve their dreams. Reach aims to build self esteem and to discover purpose in young people's lives…in safe spaces where trust, openness and creative expression are encouraged.

To date over 120,000 young Victorians from all walks of life have benefited from the Reach experience. Reach runs programs designed to help young people see through the negativity of their environment and ignite a passion for life. The programs operate through experiential workshops, which combine games, films, music and group interaction to encourage young people to express themselves openly. There are large scale youth days, regular evening courses, weekend camps and monthly reunions, as well as individual counseling.

Reach is now expanding in different directions. Programs have been extended to a younger age group with the Reach Rookys program for 8 to 12 year olds. The young leaders and founders of Reach are now living examples of the Reach vision with projects like the Dash Fox FM radio program, Kijana with Jesse Martin and the movie 'One Perfect Day' all rolling out in 2002.

Young people are our future and Blue Connections is committed to supporting young people in the broader community. Being a sponsor of Reach is just one way that Blue Connections can help make a difference.

The Salvation Army - Red Shield Appeal
The Red Shield Appeal is an annual nationwide appeal to meet the budget needs for the The Salvation Army's many community service programs, which are promoted under our symbol of service, the Red Shield.

On Red Shield Appeal weekend a maximum effort will be made to knock on every door in every town, city and even country areas.

The Red Shield Appeal sets out to ask every potential giver, in industry, commerce and in private houses to give to this appeal. Thousands of people depend on Red Shield Community Services and therefore depend on the success of The Red Shield Appeal.

How are Red Shield Appeal funds used?

Every week the Salvos shield those in need with 150,000 meals, 10,500 food vouchers and 2,800 beds for the homeless. Blue Connections is proud to support the Red Shield Appeal and would encourage members of the public to support The Salvation Army by making donations via their website. Without funds from the Red Shield Appeal, they wouldn't be able to maintain the following services:

	Aged Care		Family Support Services
	Hostels and Nursing Homes		Homeless Accommodation
	Police Court and Prison Chaplains		Hostels for Youth
	Counseling.		Food and Support for disadvantaged families
	Food Parcels		Disaster Relief
	Free Clothing		Child Care
	Free Accommodation		Alcoholism and Drug Addiction
	Free Transport		Missing Persons
	Free Furniture

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders

Providing Medical Relief Worldwide

Médecins Sans Frontières (also known as Doctors Without Borders or MSF) delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and to others who lack health care due to social or geographical isolation.

MSF was founded in 1971 by a small group of French doctors who believed that all people have the right to medical care regardless of race, religion, creed or political affiliation, and that the needs of these people supersede respect for national borders. It was the first non-governmental organisation to both provide emergency medical assistance and publicly bear witness to the plight of the populations they served.

A private, nonprofit organisation, MSF is at the forefront of emergency health care as well as care for populations suffering from endemic diseases and neglect. MSF provides primary health care, performs surgery, rehabilitates hospitals and clinics, runs nutrition and sanitation programs, trains local medical personnel, and provides mental health care. Through longer-term programs, MSF treats chronic diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, sleeping sickness, and AIDS; assists with the medical and psychological problems of marginalised populations including street children and ethnic minorities; and brings health care to remote, isolated areas where resources and training are limited.

MSF unites direct medical care with a commitment to bearing witness and speaking out against the underlying causes of suffering. Its volunteers protest violations of humanitarian law on behalf of populations who have no voice, and bring the concerns of their patients to public forums, such as the United Nations, governments (in both home and project countries), and the media. In a wide range of circumstances, MSF volunteers have spoken out about forgotten conflicts and underreported atrocities they have witnessed—from Chechnya to Angola, and from Kosovo to Sri Lanka.

MSF is an international network with sections in 18 countries. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, logistics experts, water/sanitation engineers, and administrators join 15,000 locally hired staff to provide medical aid in more than 80 countries.

MSF has built a strong logistical capability to support its medical expertise, enabling its volunteers to work in the most remote or unstable parts of the world. At the onset of emergencies, teams arrive at a project site with prepackaged medical kits so they can begin working immediately. Custom-designed by MSF for specific field situations, geographic conditions, and climates, a kit may contain a complete surgical theater, for example, or all the supplies needed to treat hundreds of cholera patients. MSF kits have been replicated by relief organisations worldwide.