We are excited to announce your 2022 successful Westfield Local Hero for Mt Druitt.

The successful Westfield Local Heroes organisation, will receive a grant of $20,000 to help them continue to grow their impact in the local community. Westfield will award 126 grants across Australia and New Zealand – totalling $1.26 million.

In early 2023, we will open nominations for the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program, so start thinking about those people in your communities who make a difference.

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__Your 2022 Westfield Mt Druitt Local Hero is: __

Vicki-Julia Crawford

Open Pantry and Next Step Cafe
Giving. Kind. Selfless

Selfless Vicki-Julia Crawford works tirelessly to help local low-income earners put delicious and nutritious food on their table.

Vicki is the founder of non-profit Next Step Communities Inc. that developed Open Pantry and Next Step Café; employment training programs providing an affordable food service and a place for community connection. In addition, Vicki helps save a mountain of good-quality food items from landfill.

Before COVID, Vicki provided at least 500 meals a week. However, demand shot up during COVID, just as her funding was cut. Vicki surprised herself by not only surviving the pandemic but also providing more than 4500 low-cost and free meals a week during the lockdowns.

The food Vicki stocks is sourced from Foodbank. Some items have damaged packaging, incorrectly printed labels or may be getting close to the “best before” date.

Vicki has always wanted to help others. Her family often tell of how mortified she was as a three-year-old when she saw a World Vision advert on TV. She ran crying to every family member collecting money to feed a starving child.

“I guess my motivation comes from that little girl,” Vicki says. “By supporting our community, they supported us, and together we were able to overcome any threat of adversity caused by COVID.”

Next Step Communities Inc. will use its funds to cover one year’s operational costs as the service returns to normal following the COVID disruptions.

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We also congratulate our finalists and we thank them for their incredible contribution to the local community.

Raeanne Ali from Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency
Empathetic Raeanne Ali is a shining light of support for women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Raeanne is a kind and welcoming case worker at the Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA), where she creates social connection and fosters a sense of belonging by leading the popular women’s sewing program.

Chris Laurie from CAWS (Community Access Western Sydney)
Caring Chris Laurie ensures hundreds of local people with disabilities have a safe space to spend time and receive vital support. As the Manager at CAWS (Community Access Western Sydney), Chris provides a welcoming environment for 60 people a day who visit the disability support program and facilitates 40 food hampers a week for the community.

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If you need support, please phone Lifeline: 13 11 14

Recognising all our 2022 nominees

View all of the Westfield Mt Druitt nominees and their organisation