Settlement Services and Programs
Settlement Youth Programs
Settlement Social Support Groups
In 2013-14 young people engaged in our services to
access support with a range of complex issues including
homelessness, family breakdown, finding work,
resettlement issues, disrupted education and difficulty
engaging in the Australian school system.
Highlights
Highlights:
Helped establish a weekly soccer program through
partnership with the Refugee Action Program (RAP)
Ran Little Bugs bike education with 28 newly arrived
students from Thomastown English Language School,
ensuring participants had the confidence and skill to ride
safely on our roads, many for the first time.
Ran surf lifesaving lessons, a day trip to Sherbrook Forest
and a BBQ and family games day during the school
holidays
Learning support programs
940
80
4
Hours of tutoring by over 20 volunteers
from Latrobe University, Australian Catholic
University & WVRS
students on average assisted per week
homework support programs ran
per week at Thomastown West P.S,
Lalor Secondary and WCC
Youth Connections
Highlights:
Provided intensive individual support to 26 young
people, mostly from newly arrived backgrounds as well
as a kick boxing program
Established a new Persian Speaking Women’s
Group with 15-20 participants now attending
weekly meetings. Session included learning English,
financial literacy, road safety, family violence, cooking
and outings and the women are forming strong
connections with one another.
The Whittlesea Arabic Speaking Men’s Group met on
a weekly basis and has had steady membership with
sessions including road safety, legal issues including
infringements and fines and health and wellbeing.
The Refugee Support Group grew with many newly
arrived clients attending to practice English and
obtain citizenship support with the support of
dedicated volunteers. They are now meeting at our
Thomastown West Community Hub.
Community Development
Highlights
Families Free from Violence Forum held in partnership
with the Chaldean Church involving 110 participants,
as part of the Whittlesea CALD Family Violence
Project.
The Whittlesea Career Pathways Employment Working
Group, ran a highly successful ‘What Employers Want
Breakfast’ with over 100 attendees involving a range
of local service providers and employers, providing
insight for newly arrived community members about
what works best to find work in Australia.
Supported many young people to develop their personal
skills and create a positive future
Assisted young people address family conflict,
homelessness, legal and financial issues and difficultly
accessing culturally appropriate services and education
and training options.
16
Distributed over 300 copies of The Harmony, our
Arabic Newsletter each month, promoting available
services, community events and discussing important
aspects of modern Australian life.
Whittlesea Multicultural Issues Network, met
regularly to assist local service providers to address
issues facing newly arrived migrant and refugee
communities in the local area.