Our stories

National Volunteer Week is Australia’s largest annual celebration of volunteering. This year’s theme is ‘Better Together’, and appropriately so, as together we accomplish so much more.

At this time of year, we come together to recognise and celebrate our wonderful volunteers for all the ways they contribute to SHINE for Kids.

To mark National Volunteer Week, we are putting some of our many incredible volunteers in the spotlight, please meet ….  Dennis!

Dennis: RIDE By Your Side, Sydney

How long have you been volunteering with SHINE for Kids?

Twelve years.

What inspired you to apply to volunteer with SHINE for Kids?

Leaving a legacy for the current generation of kids with a parent in prison by passing on my own experience and how I dealt with it.

What do you enjoy most about volunteering?

The passion, empathy and compassion of the SHINE for Kids team.

What impact do you think you have made?

I still have contact and advice for families I have supported over the past ten years or so.

What has been your most memorable moment?

Too many memorable moments, but maybe last week capped them all when I attended the graduation from Sydney University of one of the young ladies who was supported by SHINE for Kids through a very difficult period.

While you’re here, we need your help. Our amazing volunteers can only do so much, we also rely on the support and kind donations of the community to continue to run our many programs across NSW, Vic, WA, Qld and the ACT.

It’s only with continued support that we can be there to reach out to and walk beside children and families as they navigate one of the toughest times in their lives. We are changing futures, one child at a time. Evey bit counts.

Please donate today. Thank you!