MCCI Refugee Support

Thank you to the Novotel Wollongong Northbeach and Warrigal for giving the MCCI Refugee Support employment participants a guided tour of your facilities.

Participants have all completed Certificate II in Hospitality, and were given the opportunity to get the look and feel of these two locations and to discuss employment pathways.

These tours form part of our employment support that takes community members through the employment process, from applying to study to landing the job!

Free online Skilled Migrant Employment Program! Register by email, [email protected], or phone (02) 7921 9400

If you live or work in NSW, you are eligible for this free program.

Follow TAFE on Facebook! TAFE NSW - Wollongong, TAFE NSW, TAFE NSW - Shellharbour, TAFE NSW - Nowra

Join us for Multicultural Health Week at Let's Chat, this Friday 6 September at Wollongong City Libraries where you can learn about preparing health foods for your family.

No bookings required, just show up!

Well done to everyone who took part in the cook-off this year!

Harmony Alliance: Migrant and Refugee Women for Change is accepting applications for the Young Migrant and Refugee Women’s Advisory Group for the term 2024 – 2026.

Expressions of interest close today.

Criteria:

• Must be between 18 and 28 years of age and identify as a woman from migrant or refugee background
• Understanding and lived experience of migrant and refugee young women's issues
• Leadership skills and interest in policy and research
• Constructive participation and contribution to the Alliance's work
• Ability to collaborate and respect diverse views
• Willingness to provide feedback to young migrant and refugee women's groups
• Commitment to the Group's term, meetings, and communications
• Participation in group-led projects with the Alliance Council and Secretariat

This advisory group provides advice to the Alliance Council and members on issues relevant to young migrant and refugee women.

Send an expression of interest (500 words max) addressing the above criteria along with your resume to:
[email protected].

Applications close today Friday 16 August 2024.

Last week we held a health and wellbeing session with Arabic language support at the park.

Thank you to Chiara from STARTTS who led the stretching class, and to Maha from Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District who facilitated discussion around health and wellbeing.

“Women are often at the centre of the family providing support to those around them and always giving to others. This stretching class and wellbeing session gave women time to focus on themselves with an emphasis on how they can take time out for self-care,” said Project Officer, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Debora Santos.

Even though our blanket appeal has finished for the year, one of our lovely supporters, Lynn, dropped into the office the other day to donate a gorgeous handmade knitted blanket.

"I have been knitting and crocheting since my grandmother taught me and I have a clear memory of crocheting with her. I prefer to buy the wool and donate the goods that I have made. I have lost count of how many I have donated over the years," said Lynn.

We are grateful for supporters like Lynn, and her blankets are welcomed by community members.

Lynn is pictured with Zahra (right) and Caroline from the refugee support team.

Registrations are open for after-school cooking class with MCCI.

This will be a fun hands-on cooking class with a small group of young people at our kitchen in Corrimal Street. This class runs for three weeks – you can attend one or all of them!

Please remember to let us know if you have any dietary requirements or allergies and tell us what you would like to cook! We will have Halal and vegetarian/vegan options available for meals.

Registrations are essential: www.mcci.org.au/whats-on

This event is for people aged 12-24 from a multicultural background.

Let's Chat is one of our longest-running and most valued programs, offering weekly conversation sessions for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds, providing a chance to practice English and socialise in a friendly and safe environment.

Riyad (first picture) arrived in Australia a year ago and has been attending Let's Chat for a couple of months now. He decided to switch roles last week and get up in front of the group to support the delivery of the session with our members of staff.

"Sometimes it is difficult because I don't understand many words...now I learn some English from here and I teach some English to another people," he said.

The third and final basketball session with Tim Coenraad from Rebound Academy is happening this Friday from 4-5pm!

This session is for people aged 12-24 from a multicultural background.

Any skill level is welcome and we will have drinks and snacks available. Be sure to wear basketball shoes.

Please register if you would like to come to this event. Spaces are limited!

Week 3 Free Basketball Training Session with Tim Coenraad - MCCI Details Start: August 9 - 04:00 pm End: September 7 - 05:00 pm Click to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/week-3-free-basketball-training-session-with-tim-coenraad-tickets-964639311147 Organizer Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/multicult...

Thank you to the Illawarra Police Charity Ball!

Almost 300 people attended the 36th Illawarra Illawarra Police Charity Ball on Friday night which raised money for MCCI’s youth scholarship program and the NSW Police Legacy.

Since 1986 the Illawarra Police community has raised more than $500K for local charities through donations, raffle tickets, and auction items.

Hasnaa, a past winner of the MCCI Youth scholarship, attended the Charity Ball at University of Wollongong Great Hall. She learnt about MCCI when she was 14 through our education program, High School Tutoring. She is now studying Criminology at UOW.
"For me it's been quite beneficial and to help me with studies, as well as achieving more confidence and gaining more skills," Hasnaa said of the youth scholarship program.

“We are very grateful for the support and an always professional, positive, and collaborative relationship with NSW Police. With thanks to Commissioner Webb, Assistant Commissioner Cassar, Ball Committee President Mr Klepczarek, and everyone who attended and dug deep for some terrific prizes donated by local businesses,” said CEO Chris Lacey.

Thank you to the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb APM, NSW Police Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar APM (Ball Patron), Illawarra Police Charity Ball President Superintendent John Klepczarek and the Ball Committee, MC and i98fm announcer Marty Haynes OAM who dedicated his time on the night, and Police Bank who were the main sponsor for the event.

Photos courtesy of Anna Warr from the Illawarra Mercury.

Are you aged 12-24 from a multicultural background?

Come along and learn basketball with Tim Coenraad from Rebound Academy. Any skill level is welcome and we will have drinks and snacks available. Be sure to wear basketball shoes.

Please register if you would like to come to this event. Spaces are limited!

Week 2 Free Basketball Training Session with Tim Coenraad - MCCI Details Date: August 2 Time: 04:00 pm - 05:00 pm Click to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/week-2-free-basketball-training-session-with-tim-coenraad-tickets-956697517027 Organizer Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/multicultural-communiti...

MCCI recently launched our new Shoalhaven Hub, a meeting space for people from a multicultural and refugee background.

We provide a range of services to help you settle into your new life in the region or to tailor an aged care plan to meet your needs. Our services promote independence, healthy living, community participation and social connections.

If you want to stay up to date with services, opportunities and news coming out of our Shoalhaven Hub, follow the hub here!

https://www.facebook.com/MCCIShoalhavenHub

Are you aged 12-24 from a multicultural background?

MCCI will be taking a group of young people to 2024 Youth Showcase featuring stories from migrant and refugee young people.

There is a limit of 15 people and the bus will be leaving MCCI at 3:30pm on Wednesday 14 August.

If you would like to come along, please register on the link below.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd79SdAqAX3vu1VXkGk0A1NXQv8rxa6zsMtOzWijvMA9EJ4mQ/viewform?pli=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawEUEZhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQDk6IVP8hx2_RphR1_0aI-UlgPZruQ-rP3Cy0Zo0N0PPOxvqvuEXNKXdw_aem_dZ_xiWGiqN45ZgZSNrguOw

The 2024 Travelling Film Festival with movies from all over the world will come to Warrawong Gala Twin Cinemas for one weekend only, from Friday 26 - Sunday 28 July 2024!

Experience the snow capped Himalayas, rolling hills in Bhutan, a crumbling city in the Gobi Desert, the bustling streets of Mumbai and the windswept shores of Aotearoa.

For the full program, go to: www.sff.org.au/tff/program/warrawong

Nine films for $130.50 ($14.50 per ticket), Flexipass five movies for $77.50 or $18 for one film.

Pay what you feel for A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen/How To Make the Perfect One-Pot Chicken Curry at Merrigong Theatre Co

A Place in the Sultan’s Kitchen fills the theatre with exotic smells as Josh attempts to make his grandmother’s chicken curry live on stage, while telling stories of his grandparents’ formative experiences, transporting the audience from the backstreets of Sri Lanka to a bustling city in India, from a schoolyard in Iran to a South African farm, and finally to Wollongong.

Thursday 8 - Saturday 10 August
Reserve a spot here: https://merrigong.com.au/shows/a-place-in-the-sultans-kitchen/

There is no set ticket price for this show. Instead, you simply reserve a spot, show up, then pay what you feel the performance is worth afterwards. Afterwards you will receive an email asking how much you want to contribute. You choose the amount based on your experience and your circumstances. There is no minimum or maximum amount.

IMPORTANT: Late cancellations within 4 hours of the event or non-attendance will incur a standard $20 ‘no-show’ fee per seat reserved. A non-refundable authorisation charge of 1 cent will be charged if this item is added into your shopping cart. If you do not attend the event, your card will be charged the no-show fee.

Merrigong Theatre Company Bringing captivating performances to the heart of Wollongong. Explore our upcoming shows, auditions, and events.

Are you from a multicultural background and want to have hands-on training using a commercial coffee machine? This training will enable you to learn how to create the most common coffee styles in the industry today.

Wednesday 17 July
9:30am-12:30pm

There is only one place available! Register today.

Morning Barista Training Session - Free School Holiday Program - MCCI Details Date: July 17 Time: 09:30 am - 12:30 pm Click to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/morning-barista-training-session-free-school-holiday-program-tickets-928811489167 Organizer Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/multicultural-communi...

Congratulations, Bec!

A single mother to six children for over 20 years, Robina is the carer for her 33 year old son Ismail who has cerebral palsy, depression and anxiety.

Robina also has a number of health conditions but it does not stop her from providing full time care to Ismail. He needs constant attention, such as personal hygiene, washing, cooking, lifting him when he falls, and other care duties. She is helped by her young son who helps dress and shower Ismail.

An anthropologist by training back in Kashmir, Pakistani-born Robina, came to Australia in September 1996. Unable to get her qualifications recognised, Robina retrained receiving a Graduate Diploma in Public Health and she now advises on domestic violence.

Read more about Robina here: www.carergateway.gov.au/real-carers-real-stories/robina

MCCI provides one-on-one and monthly support for carers. Get in touch for more information. Phone 02 4229 7566 or email [email protected]

During National NAIDOC, get involved in learning about bush tucker with this workshop for young people.

This workshop is designed for young people over the age of 14 from a multicultural background.

Learn about Aboriginal culture and food. Everyone will take home some plants!

Register: www.mcci.org.au/eventbrite-event/bush-tucker-workshop-with-narelle-happ-free-school-holiday-program/

"Knowing someone's got your back when times are tough can make all the difference, and that's what the upcoming police ball plans to do.

This year marks the return of the Illawarra Police Charity Ball following a three-year COVID-enforced hiatus, and tickets are on sale for the wider community to attend.

Not only will the region's police officers be letting their hair down for a good time, they're raising funds for the Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra to provide educational scholarships.

Syrian-born Hasnaa Toma is a recent MCCI scholarship recipient and it's helped her as she completes her degree criminology at University of Wollongong."

With 2024 Illawarra Police Charity Ball

Police throw open the door to annual Illawarra charity ball Members of the public are invited to the party.

Only one spot for the first rock climbing session of the school holidays multicultural youth activities.

Register today!

Rock Climbing Training - Week 1 Free School Holiday Program - MCCI Details Date: July 8 Time: 03:00 pm - 05:00 pm Click to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/rock-climbing-training-week-1-free-school-holiday-program-tickets-928236639777 Organizer Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/multicultural-communities...

Wednesday July 10, 1-3pm
Bush Tucker Workshop with Narelle Happ - Free School Holiday Program

Bush tucker, also called bush food, is food native to Australia. Aboriginal Australians have used indigenous plants for food and medicine for millennia. In this two-hour workshop, you learn about Australian Aboriginal culture and food.

You will learn how bush tucker is connected to culture, learn how to identify bush tucker species, and which plants can be used for medicine. There will be a bush tucker taste testing eg; wattle seed muffins, lemon myrtle cordial , warrigal green pesto (all halal), fresh berries.

Everyone will be planting and taking home plants. You must be 14 years or older to take part in this session.

Register for this free school holiday program during NAIDOC Week 2024!

Bush Tucker Workshop with Narelle Happ - Free School Holiday Program - MCCI Details Date: July 10 Time: 01:00 pm - 03:00 pm Click to Register: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bush-tucker-workshop-with-narelle-happ-free-school-holiday-program-tickets-928766635007 Organizer Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra Website: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/multicultural-c...

Congratulations to the 14 Tech Savvy graduates who have learned to navigate Australian services online!

“Coming from overseas, learning how to pay for electricity, water and rent, and use government services apps, is very beneficial,” said Oo who was there with his wife Baw and young son Prey.

Tech Savvy Seniors with MCCI ran over five sessions at Wollongong City Libraries for a group of Karenni who arrived in the Illawarra at the end of last year. It was part of a larger program and collaboration between the NSW Government, Telstra and The State Library of New South Wales. Wollongong City Libraries run Tech Savvy programs for community groups in different languages regularly.

Elaine, who came to Australia from Malaysia over 30 years ago, is a full-time carer for two of her three children; 26 year old Carmen who has an intellectual disability and is deaf, and 23 year old James who lives with autism and has limited speech capacity.

Elaine has a business, so juggling full time care responsibilities and her business demands means she has little time for herself.

'I know I have to look after myself so that I can keep caring for my children, so I’ve taken up line dancing for two hours twice a week to help keep me mentally healthy and fit.

'I heard about Carer Gateway from a respite service that is no longer in operation. Going online to check out their services was easy, and I found a service that could provide standby carers for emergencies. It is comforting to know that I have this kind of backstop.'

Read more about Elaine here: www.carergateway.gov.au/real-carers-real-stories/elaine

MCCI provides one-on-one and monthly support for carers. Get in touch for more information. Phone 02 4229 7566 or email [email protected]

We have just announced our school holiday program.

These activities are designed for young people from a refugee background. You need to be 15 years of age to register for some activities. More information can be found on the registration link.

Please register here: www.mcci.org.au/whats-on/

Please join us in congratulating Leatitie, who recently became an Australian citizen!

Leatitie is from Burundi and came to Australia in 2015. She joined the MCCI Refugee Support team a year ago to provide support to our community members using her Kinyamulenge language skills in her role as a community mobiliser.

Congratulations, Leatitie!

Please join us in congratulating the recent graduates of the forklift licence certificate, delivered as part of the MCCI Refugee Support training and employment program with the support of Achieve Training & Assessment Services 90659.

This training offered with extra time and some language support means that they can be hopeful of having more job opportunities.

"They were an amazing bunch of students. They were very enthusiastic, they were attentive, they took initiative, showed up on time they worked extremely well together and these are great soft skills to have.

"They really did try and push their boundaries especially with the language barrier. We were very impressed with all of them. I feel very proud of each and every one of the students for completing the training, they will be a great asset to any employer," said Kristina from Achieve Training.

Thank you to Wafaa and Boe for continually supporting community members to reach for their goals.