‘A hand up, not a handout’
People with disabilities can build their business knowledge through Newcastle organisation.
Local organisation Avenue is providing people with disability the opportunity and empowerment to become business savvy.
The multifaceted program allows its participants to develop their entrepreneurial skills, contribute to thriving microbusinesses and share profits. Encouraged to develop their own ideas, Avenue’s Team Members have created several successful enterprises across Newcastle and the Hunter.
The Newcastle-run program is powered by Fighting Chance Australia Ltd, a national organisation aimed towards building an inclusive economy, where people with disability have unbridled access to opportunity, dignity and prosperity.
Avenue is one of four enterprises created under the organisation, serving as a day program alternative where people of all abilities can participate, regardless of their support needs. In December 2023, the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation donated $49,500 toward the expansion of Avenue’s microbusinesses. The donated funds served as a much needed boost for the organisation’s entrepreneurial initiatives and Avenue Newcastle now supports more than 150 people across Newcastle and the Hunter.
One of these people is Josh, who has been with the service for two years. He is a part of the Markets microbusiness, in which people with disability curate a range of ethical products and sell them at local markets. In addition to his work at the Avenue market stall, Josh also runs an online store through the print-on-demand platform Redbubble, enabling him to share his artwork and feature it on a range of products for sale.
Since opening the store, Josh has sold more than 70 items, from phone cases to scarves to Christmas cards. When he’s not working hard on his businesses, Josh can be found hitting the gym. Passionate about fitness, he has joined the Healthy Change Challenge, supporting people with disability to improve their health by running exercise groups.
Chloe is another Avenue participant working in the Markets team, whose business has taken off after joining the service just over a year ago. To pass the time during lockdown, Chloe began constructing earrings with tools and materials she found in her home. After joining Avenue, she began selling the pieces through the Markets team, as well as opening an online storefront on Etsy. Over the past year her revenue has skyrocketed, becoming a self-sustaining entrepreneur.
Find more community stories in our Summer edition of Hunter & Coastal Lifestyle Magazine or subscribe here.
Story by Olivia Goeldner
