Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau

Project: Drive to Connect
Awarded Amount: $4,000 – $5,000 per annum | 2022-2025 Border Trust Community Grants
Donor:  Katharine Sleeman Named Sub Fund
Impact Areas: Community Equity, Community Connection & Wellbeing

The Challenge
For newly arrived migrant women, lack of reliable transport can limit employment opportunities, access to education, and participation in social activities. Public transport doesn’t always run at the right times or reach all areas, making independence a daily challenge — especially for those with children.

The Solution
Through the Drive to Connect program, Congolese women are supported to gain their driver licences. The Albury Wodonga Volunteer Resource Bureau (AW VRB) partners with local driving schools — Open Road, Belvoir, and Total Control — experienced in working with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. Each participant received professional driving lessons tailored to their needs, helping them build the skills and confidence to pass their licensing tests.

The Impact
Many participants have earned their provisional licence, while others continue lessons, with more women queued on the waiting list. For these women, having a licence means independence: they can attend TAFE classes, take children to school, access work opportunities, and participate in community life without relying on public transport or others for support.

“Having my own licence means I can take my children to school and look for work without relying on public transport or friends. It’s changed my daily life.” – Project participant

Why local giving matters
This project was made possible by generous local donors giving through Border Trust. Every dollar stayed in the region, helping grassroots initiatives empower women to become self-reliant and active members of the Albury-Wodonga community.

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