Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services

Download 401.16 Kb.

Page	6/7
Date	02.02.2017
Size	401.16 Kb.
	#16307

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Conclusion

The Settlement Grants Program is a vital part of services offered at MARSS. SGP Project Officers assisted a wide range of clients and provided a range of services. SGP met all stipulated targets set forth by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, and often exceeded them. The SGP Officers were very present in the community in the 2012-2013 financial year, with the Project Officers attending various local area service provider meetings, Multicultural Matters Meetings, teleconferences with the Settlement Council of Australia, the Melba Copland Harmony day Ceremony, Havelock House Anniversary and a Hazara community candle vigil. SGP Project Officers also attended training at the Rural and Regional SGP DIAC Annual Conference and Raising the Standard Training (as well as in-house training). This, coupled with the comprehensive casework provided to clients, ensured SGP was an effective component of the settlement services offered to clients by MARSS.
$s:\reception 2013-2014\annual report 2012-2013\rajib.jpg$ timg_0558

SGP Project Officer: Rajib Paul SGP Project Officer: Skye Stranger

Migrant Settlement Services (MSS) Report
The program is funded by the Community Services Directorate-ACT Government and provides settlement services to migrants and refugees in the Canberra region. MSS officers provide referrals, advocacy, information and casework services to a large range of clients who are not eligible for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Settlement Grants Program. MSS client are assisted with an expansive variety of settlement issues, including finding accommodation, employment, training and education services, family support, financial stability and community interaction. In providing these services, MARSS MSS officers endeavour to link clients with mainstream service providers to provide a pathway to independence and a transition to life in Australia.
The top 5 MSS client referrals can be found at Chart 1 below.

As part of the MSS program the following information sessions were held during the 2012-2013 financial year:

Housing Information Session
Ageing and Aged Care Information Session
Youth Week Event

$j:\jobprep merging of files folder\oma\mss january 1 2013 to june 30 2013\ageing and aged care information session 15 my 2013\pictures\dsc_0049.jpg$

MARSS Seniors Class clients listen to CALD Carers Coordinator at Carers ACT, Anndey Ho, (standing) explaining the work of carers at the Ageing and Aged Care Information Session on 15 May 2013.

Program for After School Studies (PASS) Report

MARSS clients gather information from Carers ACT, Council of the Ageing and the Office of Multicultural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs-ACT Government at the Ageing and Aged Care Information Session on 17 May 2012.

$c:\users\css.marss\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.word\dscn2242.jpg$

MARSS clients gather information from Carers ACT, Council of the Ageing and the Office of Multicultural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs-ACT Government at the Ageing and Aged Care Information Session.

MARSS clients gather information from Carers ACT, Council of the Ageing and the Office of Multicultural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs-ACT Government at the Ageing and Aged Care Information Session on 17 May 2012.

MARSS clients gather information from Carers ACT, Council of the Ageing and the Office of Multicultural, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs-ACT Government at the Ageing and Aged Care Information Session on 17 May 2012.

Community Development Program (CDP) Report
The community Development Program, funded by the ACT Community Services Directorate (CSD) is an integral part of MARSS’ settlement services.

Clients can access free language classes, tutoring, information sessions, sports (reports on our sporting programs – basketball and soccer – can be found later in this report), consultation sessions, and computer classes. For a small fee, clients can now access driving lessons.

$s:\newsletter 2013\pics - may 2013\101d3100\dsc_0144.jpg$

Clients from the MARSS’ Elementary English class enjoy the sunshine and the setting of the Arboretum which they visited for an excursion.

English language classes:
The English language classes continue to remain popular with clients. A new Everyday English class has been create to cater for the students waiting to enter the formal English classes, clients waiting to access the Adult Migrant English Classes (AMEP) at CIT and for clients on bridging visas.
During the last financial year, clients from the Elementary Class in Civic went on an excursion to The Arboretum. Many clients have commented on the importance of these English classes and noted that they were a great way to make new friends. Clients also commented on how grateful they were to have patient and knowledgeable teachers. Outlined below are key performance indicators and an overview of the various projects delivered by the CDP over the past financial year.

MARSS’ English class timetable

Day	Class / Location	Time

Monday	Pre-Intermediate / Intermediate: MARSS Computer Room	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Seniors: MARSS Classroom 1	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Beginners: Civic Library Hub	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Elementary: Tuggeranong Community Centre	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Pre-Intermediate / Intermediate: MARSS Classroom 1	1.00 pm - 3:00 pm
	Computer Class: MARSS Computer Room	2:30 pm - 4:00 pm

Tuesday	Elementary: MARSS Computer Room	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Advanced: MARSS Classroom 1	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Pronunciation: MARSS Classroom 1	12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
	English Writing Class for Women: MARSS Computer Room	12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Wednesday	Seniors: MARSS Classroom 1	10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Thursday	Elementary: MARSS Computer Room	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Advanced: MARSS Classroom 1	10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Singing and Dancing: MARSS Staff Room	12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
	Conversation: MARSS Classroom 1	1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Friday	Art and Craft (Sewing, Kniting and Beading): MARSS Classroom 1	10:00 am - 1:00 pm
	Communication: Civic Library Hub	1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
	Everyday English: MARSS Computer Room	1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Chart 1: Total attendance for each English for Living class.

Chart 2: EFL clients’ gender

Chart 3: EFL clients’ nationalities

Chart 4: EFL clients’ years in Australia

$g:\dcim\101d3100\dsc_0748.jpg$
Kari Pahlman

English for Living Project Officer

Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) Report
The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides support to individuals who require immediate financial assistance. As part of the program clients have access to food vouchers and bus tickets. For many clients the financial burden of transport prevents them from accessing services. Providing food vouchers helps clients overcome their financial concerns. The provision of bus tickets enables clients to access services, attend appointments, or take their children to school safely. Over the 2012-2013 financial year, 162 clients were assisted on 338 occasions. A total of 102 referrals were made to other services both internally and externally.

Telstra Bill Assistance Program (TBAP) Report
The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) officer at MARSS also provides bill assistance for Telstra phone and internet bills. Many clients find themselves in financial hardship in cases where multiple bills are due at the same time, or finances are stretched for other reasons. Over the 2012-2013 financial year, 50 clients were assisted with TBAP vouchers.

Home Tutor Program Report
The Home Tutor Program matches volunteer English tutors with migrant and refugee students who are unable to attend formal English classes for a variety of reasons such as work and family commitments, or travel restrictions. Since these people cannot come to class, the program takes opportunities for learning and social interaction to them in their homes. Along with English language tuition, tutors also provide much needed support in helping students understand Australian culture and systems. The program received a steady stream of both student and tutor applications during the year.
Throughout the 2012-2013 year, the Home Tutor Program has continued to compile regular newsletters to keep in touch with volunteers and share tutoring resources and ideas and well as news about what’s on at MARSS. Volunteer seminars were also held during the year (one per term) with the purpose of providing training, support and information for tutors. These seminars also provided an opportunity for tutors to socialise and network. 2012-2013 was another successful year for the Home Tutor Program.

Some examples of how client’s needs are being met through the Home Tutor Program are outlined below.

Example 1)

Many of the HTP clients are working toward their Australian Citizenship Test. Many tutors report helping clients with preparation for the test by going through practice questions, explaining the relevant Australian customs and systems, helping them use a computer for the test, practicing vocabulary, comprehension, and pronunciation etcetera.

Home Tutor Program volunteers at a tutor workshop.

Anni Chilton with MARSS Home Tutor Program volunteers

Example 2)

Home tutors also help with clients in practical day-to-day activities that they would find difficult due to their limited English. Tutors have reported helping their client take their car to an auto-electrician, taking them to the dentist, helping them comprehend their training manuals from their workplaces, helping them negotiate with the insurance company after a car accident and understand the procedures, fill out complex forms, etcetera.

Please see below data in relation to the composition of clients in the Home Tutor Program.

Learn to Drive Program Report
The MARSS Learn to Drive Program was launched on May 2, 2013 by the Hon Joy Burch MLA Minister for Multicultural Affairs, with support from the ACT Office of Multicultural Affairs. The Program provides discounted practical driving lessons to migrants and refugees on low or no income. The lessons are charged at $30 per hour and are taught in a dual pedal car by three young Sudanese men who have trained for the program as Accredited Driving Instructors. Once drivers are deemed to be competent, they are referred to do a one-off government test to obtain either their provisional or full licence, depending.
The program gives people the chance to achieve greater independence, freedom and social inclusion. It is already proving to be a popular program with 35 clients currently learning; while a further 95 clients are on the waiting list to begin lessons

Top left :Accredited Driving Instructors Joseph, Achuil and Samuel with Ms Joy Burch, MLA Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

Top right: The new dual-pedal Toyota Corolla Learn to Drive car.

Please see below data in relation to the composition of clients in the Learn to Drive Program.

$g:\dcim\101d3100\dsc_0748.jpg$
Kari Pahlman

Home Tutor Program and Learn to Drive Project Officer

Program for After School Studies (PASS) Report
PASS is a free tutoring service proved to clients between the ages of 12 and 25 from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The aim of the program is to provide regular tutoring to clients in high school, college, university and at the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT). The program is held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. Each client receives one-on-one support from a tutor in specific subjects and courses.

$c:\users\pass.marss\appdata\local\microsoft\windows\temporary internet files\content.word\dsc_0079.jpg$

PASS students getting one-one one help with their homework

Clients and tutors have busy lives and timetables that are constantly changing, making PASS very fluid. Where possible the coordinator tries to match a client with a tutor on a regular basis once or twice a week. These regular pairings allow the tutor and client to build a rapport, and for the tutor to learn more about their client and their style of learning. This year clients and tutors participated in a movie night held during Youth Week in May 2013 where they enjoyed each other’s company over some pizza and softdrinks.

Several clients also took the opportunity to write about their refugee journey to Australia, which were pasted on a tree and displayed during Refugee Day in June 2013. Some clients were also taken to basketball training at Dickson College to improve their fitness and learn some basketball skills. There were also several clients signed up for the students transport scheme, enabling them to access free bus rides from home to school and from school to home during Term 2. A big thank you to the “Dig In” program which has funded health food for clients during PASS sessions. The Yellow Van delivers and donates sandwiches and fresh fruit to keep clients’ concentration levels high during tutoring sessions.
PASS has continued to expand in 2012-2013. Over the past year PASS has provided tutoring assistance to 91 clients, while 73 tutors have volunteered their time and expertise. Below are charts that demonstrate the attendance and nationalities of participants involved in PASS during the past year.

Students and tutors from the Program for After School Studies programs in Civic and Belconnen enjoyed some pizza, soft drinks and juice at a movie night held during Youth Week in April 2013.
$j:\jobprep merging of files folder\oma\mss january 1 2013 to june 30 2013\youth week april 2013 pics and story\dsc_0862.jpg$

PASS student getting one-one one help with homework

Several PASS clients have gone on to study at university and CIT in areas of law and community development. Some PASS students have completed work experience at MARSS as part of their respective degrees. It is a pleasure to see the commitment of clients in attending PASS to receive tutoring after a long day at school, and to see their improvement in their academic skills and in their general confidence. The PASS coordinator also visited Dickson College twice to promote the program to students. I would like to thank all of the tutors who have volunteered in PASS over the last year. The clients are very grateful for all of the time volunteers give to them.

I would also like to acknowledge the Community Services Directorate and ACT Health, the funding bodies for PASS and the “Dig In” programs respectively, and to the Yellow Van.

Andrew Kazar

Program for After School Studies (PASS) Project Officer
Computer Training
The program is aimed at providing clients with basic computer skills. The course runs for 6 weeks and includes introduction to computers, how to access the internet, sending and receiving emails, file management, downloading photos and setting up a Facebook page. Volunteers from ANU Department of Medicine come to train clients every Monday from 2:30pm to 4:00pm at MARSS Computer Room.

The program has registered 21 clients since it started on 8 April 2013. Currently, there are 7 clients attending the training.

Project coordinator (in red ) with students after receiving course completion certificate

Grace Caniel

Computer Training Project Officer

$g:\dcim\101d3100\dsc_0749.jpg$

Harmony Players Program Report
The Harmony Player Program is a Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) funded initiative that aims to promote social cohesion and equality through basketball and soccer games and training. The program helps filled the gaps between different communities in order for the to gain better understanding of various values, cultures and beliefs. The overall idea is to promote harmony through emerging communities and mainstream locals through sports.

Through the program MARSS has recruited 15 Senior boys, 14 Junior Girls for basketball program and 32 young men for soccer program. Then enrol the recruited players in a basketball/Soccer competition with professional coaching and mentoring along with short training courses on how to become qualified players. The AFP involved in the arranging friendly matches and social gatherings.

These activities include basketball and soccer skills development with Basketball ACT and Capital Football to allow the young males and females to play in mainstream teams; social activities involving players, their families and supporters; social and basketball sessions with ACT Policing to help break down the barriers; mentoring opportunities; and raising awareness in ACT schools to foster understanding.

Harmony Soccer
The Harmony Soccer program is a pilot project that aims to make soccer accessible and enjoyable to male participants and promote cross-cultural communication amongst migrants, refugees, and mainstream locals. There are weekly games and training to foster closer relationship between players and the locals. On May 25 2013, two players with project officer from soccer team completed coaching course with Capital Football.

Participants were from Afghanistan, Laos, China, Burma, Nigeria, Iraq and local Australians.

$s:\community development programs\niran\nnirannnnnnnnnn\pic soccer\dsc07771.jpg$

Download 401.16 Kb.

Share with your friends:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7