WOMEN IN WORK
With the invaluable support of
philanthropist Pam Usher and the Sunshine
Crocodile Foundation, Women in Work,
our Mobile Childcare Service engaged 13
qualified women from migrant and refugee
backgrounds to provide 783 hours of care
to children whose parents were attending
community groups, services and programs
this year. Pam will continue her support in
the coming year with our efforts to address
family violence.
Alongside our regular Friday playgroup
with Thomastown West Primary School,
WIW also established a second successful
multicultural playgroup at Thomastown
West Community Hub.
“
Since the days when Australia first
became involved in the Iraqi War
I have felt an overwhelming need
to do something to help refugees. I
acknowledge that my own life has
been so very privileged, having never
known fear, or real poverty or war.
Volunteer
ROAD SAFETY PROGRAMS
Our road safety programs have gone from
strength to strength this year, with the
valuable contribution of scores of highly
dedicated driver mentors. This year we have
welcomed a number of Arabic and Persian
speaking mentors who have the capacity to
provide first language on road support which
is critical to those most recently arrived.
Achievements
1,598
255
Hours of volunteer mentoring provided
to young people with no other access
to driving support
Hours of on-road mentoring support
and professional lessons provided to
10 newly arrived adult learners
88
Percentage of course participants that
obtained their Learner’s Permit
62
Young people were supported to gain
driving practice in the L2P program
25
NMIT students from newly arrived
background participated in two week
long Road Safety Programs
17
Learners got their Ps and graduated
from the program!
5
Road safety info sessions delivered to
Farsi, Arabic, Chinese, Macedonian and
Vietnamese speakers
Whittlesea Community Connections Annual Report 2014 -15
ASYLUM SEEKERS
In 2014-15 WCC supported a growing number
of asylum seekers living in our community
who are ineligible for settlement support
services funded by the Federal Government.
More than 800 asylum seekers in our
community are living on bridging visas
with temporary visa status, restricted access
to services and reduced income support
eligibility. This makes them one of the most
vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in our
community.
We have seen a marked increase in the
number of asylum seekers seeking our
support around financial crisis, requests for
basic household goods and material aid,
employment support, legal issues, depression
and poor mental health, many of whom hold
fears for their future and that of their family
here or overseas.
A change in the system of support for asylum
seekers which has lead to a reduction in
available casework in funded services in the
past year has impacted negatively on local
asylum seekers who are often very vulnerable.
Many are sleeping on the floor with no beds
or unable to afford food and other basics on a
reduced income.
WCC as a generalist provider has the capacity
to provide some casework support to
asylum seekers, and we will assist anyone
in our community in need, regardless of
circumstances, however this work remains
unfunded.
“
If we had work rights on
this visa, I would not be
needing this assistance.
Asylum Seeker
18