PFD and The Reach Foundation – a shared commitment to the potential of young Australians
At its heart, PFD Food Services is a family company. Since Executive Chairman Richard Smith started the PFD success story over 40 years ago, the company has been driven by an ethos that respects the primacy of family in everyday life. This is not only reflected in the PFD Board and management teams, which include Richard’s daughters Kerry and Sharon, and son Lindsay, but it is embodied in the company’s care and support for its 2800 employees, many of whom have families of their own.
Like PFD, The Reach Foundation understands that young people are the center of the family unit. The health of not only our immediate family, but society at large depends on the health of our young people.
Since 2008 PFD has invested in the wellbeing and potential of young people by supporting the Reach Foundation’s Rookys Program – an early-intervention approach that helps young people in the transition from primary to secondary school.
Rookys workshops run as a series of four. They incorporate fun and creative activities that encourage students to explore themes such as bullying, the importance of empathy, understanding and appreciating difference, and the impact of our beliefs on our behavior.
Over the journey, PFD has directly supported more than 81,000 year five and six students through their important middle school years. PFD remains a Reach Foundation Principal Partner, and invests every day in the wellbeing, hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the future generation of Australians.
One such Australian is Max Gawn, Melbourne Football Club:
“Becoming an ambassador for The Reach Foundation is huge for me. I’ve always been inspired by the work that they do and I’m looking forward to working alongside so many young legends, I want to do whatever I can to help”.
“We are only as strong and capable as the community in which we reside. Reach’s values reflect our commitment to improving the wellbeing of young people so they can be healthy and resilient to meet life’s challenges, and fulfil their potential.” – Sharon Landy, Director of Philanthropy, PFD Food Services
About Reach
The Reach Foundation is a for-purpose youth organisation. Since it was established in 1994 by cofounders Jim Stynes (AFL Brownlow Medal winner, youth motivator and 2003 Victorian of the Year) and Australian film director Paul Currie, it has worked with more than 500,000 young Australians. Each year, 30,000 young people aged 10-18 experience Reach through our youth-led workshops, designed and delivered by our young Crew.
The most important ingredient in Reach is our youth-led approach. Workshops are 100% youth-designed and delivered, meaning they always respond to actual need and are meaningful and relevant for young people. Our work is informed by a range of youth development theories and positive psychology framework models help young people thrive.
REACH VISION:
Generations of confident, self-aware and passionate young people
