Giving Back
Join Us in Making a Difference
When you choose to support Op for Change, you're not just making a purchase; you're making a difference. With every product you buy, you're making a donation to the organisations we support.
And we're proud to say we've donated over $60K to the following charities and community organisations since our inception:
• LocalKind
• Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter
• MoWaNa
• Beaches Youth Hub
• Women & Children First
• Monika’s Doggie Rescue
• Cancer Council (Biggest Morning Tea fundraiser)
• ANZEF (Aus & NZ Eye Foundation)
• Fred Hollows Foundation
• donations to community fundraising via platforms such as GoFundme
In addition to direct financial contributions, community support has also been provided by:
- donating over 100 kg of surplus clothing to the Remote Op Shop Project, a network of indigenous op shops located in remote communities in Central Australia.
- diverting 180 kg (over 1K items) of non-saleable clothing and textiles to Upparel, an Australian company based in Victoria who recycle the textiles into new products.
- collecting hundreds of electrical items as a Northern Beaches Hub for Whirl Recycling.
- collection point for local business CandleXchange to recycle used candle containers.
- volunteer opportunities for local residents, Duke of Ed students and The Support Society, a local disability support organisation.
- hosted the Saturday Swap, a Council-supported clothing swap run by two local residents.
- supporter of the Boomerang Bag initiative as an in-store reusable bag drop off/pickup point.
- participated in the national sustainability initiative, the Garage Sale Trail.
- registered as a Dignity Drive collection point to collect products for Share the Dignity, a national charity working to end period poverty.
- proud supporter of Saltwater Veterans
- donating boxes of groceries to the Give Hub Christmas food drive
LocalKind
LocalKind Northern Beaches (formerly Community Northern Beaches) offers vital drop-in support to vulnerable individuals, addressing homelessness, domestic violence, and refugee settlement challenges through tailored, trauma-informed assistance. Their early intervention programs empower families, youth, and children, fostering resilience and future well-being. They also provide people with material aid and connect them to other services via their community hub and drop-in space at 52 Raglan Street, Manly.
Northern Beaches Women's Shelter
Shelter begins with community. The Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter provides critical support to homeless women by providing crisis accommodation, safety and access to community services, and has assisted over 500 residents since they opened their doors in November 2010. All of this is achieved by a small, professional team, backed by a strong band of trained volunteers.
We’re proud to be fundraising for the NBWS and supporting their invaluable work in the community.
MoWaNa
"MoWaNa Northern Beaches Safe Space is a non-clinical drop in style place available to anybody who is feeling anxious, distressed, suicidal, lonely, overwhelmed, scared and / or depressed. MoWaNa's volunteer “peer care companions” have lived experience and have been trained to help in your time of need. They will welcome you, hold space for you, listen and NOT judge you. They will help you find warm connections to other appropriate and reliable supports if that’s what you need and have a trauma informed No Wrong Door approach. All is confidential and can be anonymous if preferred. You are welcome to come back time and time again. MoWaNa hopes to be open 24/7 one day but at the moment you can drop in on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights between 5 and 9pm.
Avalon Youth Hub
The Avalon Youth Hub is a free youth mental health and service navigation hub that provides a collaboration of services in the Avalon area. The Hub was established in 2018 due to a dire shortage of mental health services in the Pittwater area. They offer free counselling, case management, and a range of activities, events and workshops that respond to the needs of young people aged 12-24. Their vision is to create a strong Northern Beaches community that can find help when needed.
Their collaboration of support services includes: KYDS Youth Development Service, Mission Australia Northern Sydney, Headspace Brookvale, Lifeline Northern Beaches, KALOF, Northern Beaches Council and The Burdekin Association.
If you’re interested in checking out the Hub, on a Wednesday afternoon they hang out at Dunbar Park in Avalon handing out Zooper Doopers, playing music, and connecting with the community 🌞
They have open spaces for counselling and support now for people who live in the Pittwater area. Don’t be afraid to text 0487 936875 or send them an insta dm!
