Leading a project which aims to help disadvantaged or at risk young people, Tim Francis is often inundated with inquiries from groups seeking assistance.
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"The reality is, with the emails we get every week from all around Australia, pleading with us to take young people, we need programs like this," he said.
"And we need a lot more of them really."
A Taste of Paradise runs day programs at an organic farm near Berry for children aged five to 18, who are referred to its day programs by government child welfare workers and welfare agencies.
The programs, running since 1999, seek to help participants from the Illawarra/South Coast/Shoalhaven learn life skills and care for each other.
Executive director of A Taste of Paradise, Mr Francis said the earlier they can help a young person the better the outcomes, as participants interacted with their animals and enjoyed the natural environment of the farm.
"We run varied programs. One of them is an assisted animal therapy group, working with young people aged about five to seven.
"Their circumstances are often very difficult, and to see them sitting quietly with a baby chicken for 30-40 minutes sometimes is pretty incredible.
"These are often young people who are not able to sit still for long periods of time."
The state government recently pledged $10,000 funding to A Taste of Paradise.
The latest government funding will allow for the construction and fit out of a small staff room/reception room.
Mr Francis said they received sporadic government funding.
Therefore, he said they requested financial contributions from the non-government organisations and other groups who referred the young people to their programs.
Mr Francis said they operated on a shoestring budget, but there were still a lot of expenses involved.
This includes employing half-a-dozen people, a mix of part-time and full-time staff.
"Politicians have been good to us over the years, and we're grateful for any help," Mr Francis said.
"These sorts of donations or grants are very helpful, but they don't pay people's wages and the day-to-day bills.
"We get a lot of great community support, but it's still a tough road.
"(Wife) Andrea and I have had to mortgage everything to keep this going.
"It's been 20 years of great achievement, but it comes at a cost too.
"It's not all about us - we just happened to be the people who started it, and it's a team of great people who keep this project going."
There will be a fundraising event at Coolangatta Estate on May 10 to benefit A Taste of Paradise.
Tickets are available here.
