Chermside Community Leader Jodi Traves Wins $20,000 Westfield Local Hero Grant

Jodi Traves
Photo Credit: Supplied

Westfield Chermside has awarded Jodi Traves, CEO of Bridgecare Limited, a $20,000 grant to expand her organisation’s services that support homeless individuals and people facing challenges in the local community.



Expanding Services for the Homeless

Jodi leads Bridgecare Limited, an organisation that provides judgement-free assistance, including weekly food hampers, help with gardening, and odd jobs for those in need. With a team of 80 volunteers and two part-time employees, the group focuses on aiding the homeless and vulnerable in the Chermside area. 

She plans to use the grant to purchase a commercial fridge and freezer to increase the organisation’s food storage capacity, enabling them to launch a new community pantry. This pantry will be stocked with fresh and frozen food, provided in part by OzHarvest, to help feed locals.

Jodi Traves
Photo Credit: Supplied

The grant will also allow Bridgecare to use additional storage space at a nearby church, further enhancing its capacity to serve the community.

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Local Heroes Program Marks Seventh Year

The Westfield Local Heroes program, now in its seventh year, recognises individuals and organisations that positively impact their communities. This year, over 71,500 votes were cast by the public across Australia and New Zealand to select local heroes from each of the 42 Westfield destinations.

Westfield Chermside Centre Manager, Pietta Lacey, expressed her enthusiasm for the program and the contributions of Traves and her team. She noted how the initiative continues highlighting the extraordinary efforts of community members like Traves, who directly support those in need.

Other Grant Recipients in Chermside

In addition to Jodi, two other finalists from the Chermside area received $5,000 grants.

Benjamin Bjarnesen, founder of the LGBTQ Domestic Violence Awareness Foundation, was recognised for his work in providing education and resources to support victims of domestic violence within the LGBTQ+ community. Benjamin’s organisation has reached over 7.3 million people through its awareness campaigns, which aim to promote safer, more inclusive support systems.

Benjamin Bjarnesen
Photo Credit: Supplied

Bianca Campling, the Baby Bundle Coordinator at A Brave Life Ltd, also received $5,000 for her efforts in supporting vulnerable new mothers facing domestic violence, homelessness, and mental health challenges. Through her work, Campling provides essential baby items to over 1,500 mothers each year, helping them care for themselves and their newborns during difficult times.

Bianca Campling
Photo Credit: Supplied

Westfield’s Ongoing Community Support

Since 2018, the Westfield Local Heroes program has contributed $8.6 million to over 860 community organisations across Australia and New Zealand. This year’s program awarded 126 grants, totalling $1.25 million. The initiative continues to grow, with nominations for the 2025 Westfield Local Heroes now open.



Residents can visit the website of their local Westfield centre for more information on the program and this year’s recipients.

Published 18-Oct-2024