In July 2010 the Sydney Community Foundation was proud to fund, for the second year running, The Butterfly Foundation's employment of an administrative assistant. The grant was made using funds from the Youanmi subfund of the SCF. The Butterfly Foundation is dedicated to changing the culture, policy and practice in the prevention and treatment of eating disorders.
Christine Morgan, CEO of the Butterfly Foundation and National Director of the NEDC, praised the SCF and their donor for their support of this vital work. "There is a growing realisation within Australia with which we, as a society, need to address the psychiatric and physical illness of Eating Disorders. It is currently estimated that 1 in 10 Australian women will suffer from an Eating Disorder during their lifetime but we are also seeing it presenting in men and, most concernedly, at a much younger age in both girls and boys. Early identification and intervention is vital. Support from the SCF has greatly assisted the Butterfly Foundation to maintain it's advocacy and support services."
The Butterfly Foundation provides support for Australians who suffer from eating disorders and negative body image issues and their carers through direct relief for treatment and support to sufferers of eating disorders, counseling, prevention programs, support groups and advocacy and awareness amongst other support programs. They are also leading a national collaboration of organisations in developing a National Strategy - a one year Federal Government funded project.
The grant provided by the SCF aids The Butterfly Foundation's capacity and allows the staff to create more realistic goals and implement improvements to eating disorder awareness and treatment programs.