Students and members of the Middle Park Lodge No 206 . FLN was very fortunate to receive a generous donation from Middle Park Lodge No 206 and the Board of Benevolence Freemasons Victoria . It allowed us to update computers in our classrooms that were 9 years old . These new computers with enough space to run teaching software , larger screens and good access to the internet have made a tremendous improvement to delivery by our ESL and computer teachers .
About the Network
The Fitzroy Learning Network is a community based Neighbourhood House that welcomes people from diverse educational , cultural and social backgrounds .
FLN provides education , services , support and advocacy assistance for disadvantaged members of our community . Our clients are newly arrived refugees and migrants . FLN either leads or works with community members to ease and support their settlement issues , and to provide skills for living in Australia .
Our aims are to continue to respond to the needs of our community and our clients , to ascertain these needs by listening and to provide services that will ease their transition into their new lives in Australia . We also strive to help build bridges within our community to reduce the level of segregation and inequality and create social cohesion .
FLN has well developed links with other organisations who work toward the same ideals . FLN responds to each wave of new arrivals to inner city Melbourne , often being the first port of call for ESL lessons , information , advocacy and support . We made a difference to their lives , now they are making a difference to ours .
A Personal Story
An Afghani male of 21 years had been in Melbourne for only one week , when he found his way to the FLN refugee support program . He had been free from detention for four months and since his release he had spent time in both Adelaide and Sydney , searching for a place to settle . This man was suffering from depression , anxiety and post traumatic stress symptoms , including sleeplessness , nightmares , flashbacks , and a deep sense of hopelessness and fear for his safety . He was homeless , his centrelink payments had been suspended and due to his moving interstate he had disengaged from AMES support . Immediately , we went together to the Centrelink office to have his payments resumed .
It took quite some time and many drop-in appointments , to build a trusting relationship with this man . However , eventually he gave consent to a referral for housing support at Homeground and to North Yarra Community Health Centre to see the doctor . After still more time , we were able to support a referral to Foundation House for trauma counselling .
Despite his difficult circumstances this young man showed amazing determination and resilience . Thus , with the support networks put in place , only five months later he was in a much more stable and positive position . He was living in a transitional housing property , working in a factory and had applied for his family to come to Australia through the humanitarian program . He was still attending the FLN refugee support program frequently and having regular counselling sessions with Foundation House .
4 Fitzroy Learning Network Annual Report 2011 / 12