Recently, the loans.com.au team had the privilege of spending the morning with the Pyjama Foundation, lending a helping hand in preparation for their upcoming National Pyjama Day. Together, we got stuck into the morning by folding thousands of informational brochures & posters that will be distributed to participating businesses nationwide in due course. A small yet impactful contribution that aimed to lighten the workload for the Pyjama Foundations volunteer network and dedicated team.
For the past 18 years, The Pyjama Foundation has been rewriting the story of children in care, dedicating their time and efforts towards improving the life outcomes of young people who find themselves in the system. Through weekly one-on-one mentoring sessions that are focused on learning-based activities such as reading aloud, educational games and helping with homework, the Pyjama Foundation aims to improve educational outcomes and empower young lives.
Since 2004, the Pyjama Foundation has mentored approximately 19,035 children in foster care and provided over 900,000 hours of support through thanks to the help of their network of volunteers.
We spoke with some of the team from the Pyjama Foundation to ask a few more questions and shed light on all of the incredible work they are currently doing. Have a read below:
Loans.com.au: What is your organisations mission?
Pyjama Foundation: We provide children and young people in foster care the opportunity to change the direction of their lives with learning, life skills and confidence. Through our Love of Learning program, volunteers called 'Pyjama Angels' are recruited, screened, trained and then matched with a child in care and spend time with them once a week, focusing on learning-based activities. Pyjama Angels read books aloud with their child, play educational games and help children with their homework.
Most importantly, the volunteers give foster children a chance to reach their life potential, despite a fragile start. Children in care have the lowest education outcomes nationally. By improving their learning skills, we are making a positive, life-long impact.
Loans.com.au: What are your organisation's goals?
Pyjama Foundation: Every hour, 2 vulnerable children enter foster care.
- 60% of children and young people in care are identified as having developmental concerns
- More than 48% are diagnosed with behavioural problems, language and cognitive development delays
- 62% of children and young people in care are experiencing mental health concerns
Children and young people in care are more than 5 times more likely to display suicidal behaviour than their peers.
The Pyjama Foundation has been working for more than 18 years to improve the life outcomes of children and young people who find themselves within the system.
The Pyjama Foundation are rewriting the story for children and young people in foster care through one-on-one weekly mentoring.
Loans.com.au: What progress is your organisation making towards its goals?
Pyjama Foundation: Since 2004, The Pyjama Foundation have mentored 19,035 children and young people in foster care, trained 10,583 Pyjama Angel Mentors and provided 902,716 hours of support.
Loans.com.au: Are there any other ways that we can support you to help make a difference?
Pyjama Foundation: We encourage you to get involved how you can. Whether it’s through a donation via our website or by volunteering for us through the 50-50 Charity Raffle, we are so grateful for your support. You can also rock your pyjamas this July through National Pyjama Day to raise funds and awareness for our Program.
Loans.com.au: What is your most important message?
Pyjama Foundation: “Having someone come into their home to interact just with them and present education in a light-hearted and enjoyable manner goes a long way towards making them feel that they are getting on top of it all and there is hope for their future.” – Foster Carer
Loans.com.au: What does it mean to have the support of volunteers?
Pyjama Foundation: Volunteers are at the heart of our Foundation. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to achieve our goals in empowering the lives of kids and young people in care. Whether it is through mentoring or assisting us at one of our events, we couldn’t be more grateful for the incredible support of our volunteers.
Loans.com.au: What are the best ways that the public can get involved with your foundation?
Pyjama Foundation: There are various ways you can support The Pyjama Foundation:
- Become a volunteer Pyjama Angel Mentor: We always have waitlists of children wanting their very own Pyjama Angel – could you be our next volunteer mentor? Visit Home for more information.
- Host a National Pyjama Day event: National Pyjama Day all about wearing your favourite pair of PJ's to help The Pyjama Foundation raise much-needed awareness and funds for children in foster care. For more information, visit http://nationalpyjamaday.com
- Volunteer in office to help us with National Pyjama Day: We are currently looking for volunteers Monday – Friday to assist us with kit packing for our National Pyjama Day campaign. Please email brianna@thepyjamafoundation.com if interested.
However you are able to support, thank you for changing the lives of children in foster care.
Loans.com.au: How big are your plans and/or goals for 2024/25?
Pyjama Foundation: We hope to place more of the vulnerable children on our Program waitlist with their own life-changing Pyjama Angel Mentor.
It was an incredibly rewarding experience to provide assistance to the Pyjama Foundation, supporting such a fantastic cause and organisation.
If you would like to get involved with the Pyjama Foundation, or to learn more about their ongoing efforts, click here: https://www.thepyjamafoundation.com/
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