Empowering people and building communities
The holistic approach to our work with refugees and other new
arrivals involved us in facilitating a range of client-centred activities
with the aim of supporting confidence, self-esteem, community
connections and building on individual aspirations. The following
programs were offered during the year:-
Foodbank:
FLN has had a long-standing partnership with Secondbite to provide
quality rescued food FLN clients. An FLN volunteer sorts and distributes food items once a week to registered community members with
items also used to support our Clubhouse Youth program healthy
cooking classes during the week.
Thank you to our current volunteer Hien (Trisha) Ngoc Huynh.
Sewing Class:
FLN sewing classes are run weekly for refugees and asylum seekers . Classes are taught by Sharmaine Cornell from New Model
Beauty Queen.
Each term, students are given a project theme (e.g. childrens’ wear,
hats, bags, gloves) and use the class time to explore the theme as
they learn basic sewing techniques, use of a sewing machine, making patterns and cutting fabric. Students are able sell their products
at the Fitzroy market (an FLN partner). Thank you to our current
teacher Sharmaine Cornell and volunteer Tuan Ibrahim.
1:1 tutoring/mentoring program:
The project intersects with our volunteer program and matches skilled
tutors, drawn principally from the mainstream community, to support FLN’s education programs and offer one-to-one mentoring for
refugees and migrants. Examples of mentoring activities include assistance with English, Maths and employment and job-search skills.
Thank you to our current tutors Tessa Jones, Mariana Ratchevera,
Greg Corda, Emily De Matteis, Kate Murray, Mark Cross, Chloe Pearse,
Kristina Ellis, Craig Jones, Stephanie Boltje, Jenny Nowick, Nerida Heyward, Lachlan Summers, Michelle Siu and Golam .