Six young adults from the Northern Territory are set for a transformative educational experience after their advocacy group secured a significant funding boost. The Down Syndrome Association of the NT (DSANT) has won a $20,000 CommBank Community Grant, enabling six students and four staff members to attend a groundbreaking conference in Geelong, Victoria.
Project 21: Building Pathways to Independence
DSANT Executive Officer Rachel Kroes, a mother to a daughter with Down syndrome, spearheads a unique educational initiative called Project 21. The program, run in partnership with Charles Darwin University, is specifically designed for young adults with Down syndrome who have finished Year 12.
"Once you get past all that, our guys can learn, they can engage, they can communicate and they can contribute to a community if we just give them the same tools as everybody else," Ms Kroes said, referring to the extra chromosome 21 characteristic of Down syndrome.
The curriculum breaks down life learning into manageable components, covering a wide range of subjects from practical skills and media to wellbeing, dance, and music. The core aim is to equip participants with the knowledge and confidence needed for independent living and community contribution.
A Groundbreaking Opportunity in Geelong
The grant money will fund a trip to a highly respected conference run by VALID, the peak Victorian advocacy body for people with an intellectual disability. This event represents a rare opportunity for the Project 21 students to connect with broader networks and see the possibilities for their futures firsthand.
"This is a very special opportunity for these young people to see the opportunities ahead for them," Ms Kroes stated. She emphasised that the conference aligns perfectly with Project 21's goals of fostering employment skills and independence.
Community Investment Making a Tangible Difference
Nathan Barker, Executive Manager of Community Investment at CommBank, said the bank was proud to support DSANT's vital work. The grant is part of the bank's long-running Community Grants Program, delivered through the CommBank Staff Foundation.
"DSANT is doing amazing work to make a real difference and our grants are designed to make sure that impact extends further," Mr Barker said. He highlighted that the program allows bank staff to nominate meaningful community organisations for funding, with the bank matching employee donations.
The trip, scheduled for 2026, marks a significant milestone for the participants and underscores the importance of targeted, community-led support in creating inclusive educational pathways.
