The MoneyGirl course is an evidence-based financial education program designed especially for young people in Australia, with a focus on young women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. The program consists of 6 workshops, and each workshop covers one topic that will become a key building block in their path to financial independence.
MercyCare, alongside a range of partners, have developed a model to support newly arrived migrants and refugees to access suitable employment by offering a range of pathways. This includes employment streams, including employer matching and work via social enterprises, and a microenterprise pathways. The project is a collaboration between different service providers and local businesses and initiatives, and collaboration has been key to the success of the program.
SSI’s Ignite Program supports a diverse range of entrepreneurs from vulnerable communities, including in regional areas of NSW. Economic participation and social inclusion are at the heart of the Ignite program, recognising that meaningful employment is critical to a stable, secure and independent future for all Australians. Ignite facilitators use a human-centred approach to make sure that entrepreneurs can turn their ‘passion into possibility’.
Centacare FNQ’s Multicultural Community Leaders Network seeks to support multicultural communities to identify their priorities and meet their needs, by facilitating a platform for community associations to meet and discuss their strengths, challenges and goals; enhance social connectedness and participation; and provide opportunities for ongoing training and partnerships.
“All One Under the Sun” (AOUTS) evolved from a series of consultations with youth from refugee backgrounds about their experiences of racism in Coffs Harbour. The program aimed to develop an antiracism campaign using multi art form messaging designed by young people to spread the message that we are a stronger, more connected and inclusive community where we all feel safe and belong, when we come together to address this significant social justice issue.
PartnMelbourne Polytechnic’s Health Navigator Project was a collaborative project which embedded a 6-week health education elective unit into the English as an Additional Language curriculum. The course supported students to navigate the health system, increase their health literacy and feedback their own experiences. Pathways to employment were facilitated through collaboration with local health and settlement services, including volunteering positions and work as Bicultural Health Navigators. The Health Navigator Project was developed by MP in partnership with the Department of Health, Northern Health and Whittlesea Community Connections, and drawing from internal partnerships.
After intensive community information mapping, Centacare FNQ hosted a Vaccine Information Day at Centacare Multicultural Services. The day was an opportunity for community members to attend and learn about the COVID-19 vaccines, speak directly with a health professional from QLD Health who could answer questions on the spot, and register for COVID-19 vaccines with the support of Centacare caseworkers. The day also included a BBQ, music, and wellbeing activities.
The WOMHEn project, run by the Multicultural Centre for Women’s Health (MCWH) employs 50 migrant and refugeewomen to form a rapid response health workforce. Funded by the Working for Victoria initiative, the project trains health educators to disseminate COVID-19 information and deliver multilingual health education in over 20 languages to migrant and refugee women.
In this case study, the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) worked with
NSW Health to establish their COVID-19 clinic that
provided culturally appropriate resources and directly
addressed the specific needs of the community to support
vaccine uptake and community protection from COVID-19.