In response to community concerns about social isolation during Coronavirus, Multicultural Australia launched the Culture of Connection social media campaign. The campaign invites people and organisations to share their stories and experiences through Coronavirus, so that people could remain connected online while experiencing physical distancing and various lockdown restrictions.
Multicultural Youth SA’s ‘Mum and Bubs’ Program includes direct service provision and community capacity initiatives in metropolitan Adelaide. The program includes Circle of Security Training – an early intervention parenting program designed to enhance attachment security between parents and children.
Melaleuca Refugee Centre’s Family Harmony Program provides a series of workshops and activities that support families as they adjust to their new community and life in Australia. The workshops are complemented by more informal group activities, and one on one mentoring. Central to the success of the program is its strengths-based community development model.
Chinese Australian Services Society (CASS) supports elderly people in Sydney by navigating language barriers and building social networks through their Senior Activity Groups. During COVID-19, CASS has continued this important work to provide social support for newly arrived migrants and their families.
During the COVID-19 pandemic a, Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Services remained connected with women and families in Perth in Western Australia by developing a “Posted Home Packs” and through regular phone check-ins.
Diverse Ability is a strengths-based, individual capacity building program for people with psychosocial or physical disabilities from a culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background. Activities focus on the delivery of individual mentoring support, skills building and capacity building to enable people to self-manage, build independence, speak up and advocate for themselves.
The ‘99 Steps’ program, run by Access Community Services, based in Logan in Queensland, provides specialist, culturally appropriate responses to women and children from non-English speaking backgrounds experiencing domestic and family violence in order to enhance their safety and well being.
Temporary migrants have made significant positive contributions to Australia, both economically and socially. Temporary skilled migrants ensure that skills needs are met when Australian workers are not available to fill demand, so that businesses can continue to be successful. International students and working holiday makers (both of are not considered temporary skilled migrants, but have work rights) similarly contribute significantly to our economy. Importantly, temporary migrants facilitate ongoing cultural exchange, and cultural exchanges are a large part of Australia’s identity as a diverse nation. These benefits should be recognised, and should be reflected in both policy and rhetoric around temporary migration.