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Beyond Survival:Working with newly arrived migrants and refugee families

Head OfficeA. Level 2, 59-63 Evaline St Campsie NSW 2194 PO Box 503 Campsie 2194E metromrc@metromrc.org.au

T. 2 9789 3744F. 2 9718 0236W. www.metromrc.org.au

What is Metro Migrant Resource Centre

Established in 1985. An independent, community based organisation (managed by

a Committee made up of Community Advisory members)

Assists migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants to

settle in Australia

Mission Statement

The Metro Migrant Resource Centre respects the strength and dignity of all peoples and assists in the relief of poverty, distress and misfortune to disadvantaged and marginalised people in the Bankstown, Canterbury, Marrickville and Inner Western Sydney regions - especially for refugees, humanitarian entrants and those from culturally and linguistically diverse

backgrounds.

Currently Significant Cultural Groups in the Region

Indian Subcontinent:• Bangladesh

• India

• Pakistan

• Sri Lanka

Pacific Islander• Samoa

• Tonga

• Fiji

Europe– Italy– Greece

Asia– China– Korea– Vietnam– Indonesia

Africa• Sudan• Sierra Leone• Liberia Middle East

– Lebanon– Iraq– Egypt

Metro MRC Services

• Settlement Grants Programs• Focusing on migrants and refugees who have been

in the country up to 5-years

• Family Support Programs• Supporting families from culturally diverse

backgrounds, with children aged from 0 to 12 years• Never Too Old healthy eating program for older

people

• Southern Sydney Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service• A specialized legal service supporting low income

earners in the region

Showcasing STAP - Special Tutorial Assistance Program

Established the Pacific STAP - School based program providing mentoring in a homework-centre setting

Metro MRC in partnership with Bankstown and Petersham TAFE Outreach recruited and trained mentors from Pacific communities – majority were young tertiary level students from Pacific background

Parents’ support program – focus on supporting parents to build stronger families; to be the best supporting mechanism for their children’s education

2004 - Metro MRC responds to identified issues amongst Pacific students in schools in the Canterbury-Bankstown areas – of disruptive behaviours, high truancy, low academic achievement and basically low social skills

2005-2006 - Applying the Pacific STAP model to the Arabic speaking and African communities - incorporating additional components

•casework and referral service - as program becomes a soft entry point for families with issues such as domestic violence, child protection as well as mental health, alcohol and substance abuse

•Drumming and sports activities - soccer, volleyball & oztag

Expanding STAPSince 2007 – Metro MRC Adopted a generalist approach broadening the STAP target group

to all recent migrant and refugee families in the target areas of Canterbury-Bankstown and Inner Western Sydney areas.

- Parallel early intervention workshops for parents and young people covering topics such as:

• Building stronger families through enhancing communication skills• Discipline and issues of child protection• managing emotions and resolving conflicts

(Workshop content contain specially tailored material from selected Parenting Skills packages including Parenting Across Cultures, TIPS for Parents, MAGIC 123 and Triple P)

• impact of alcohol and other drugs on individuals and families (work in partnership with community and youth health workers, Drug and Alcohol Specialist workers, and Community Drug Action Teams); and

• Maximising the use of time as well as resources (based on principles promoted by the MoneyMinded financial skills package)

- Anger management and conflict resolution using creative and performing arts skills – work in partnership with Horizon Theatre

- Study techniques workshops in partnership with Education specialists - focusing on academic subjects (Maths, English etc) for students in years 9 to 12

STAP 2010

Primary Level Groups:• Ashfield, Campsie, Punchbowl, Narwee and Tempe Public Schools

Senior School Groups:• Bankstown Senior College

Special Projects:• Green Media and Eco Trip Projects:

• Excursions and workshops aimed at raising environmental awareness amongst young people of diverse language and cultural backgrounds aged 12 to 24 years - who often miss out on mainstream environment education opportunities.

• Participants will also learn basic skills for filming, editing and producing video documentaries

• Working in partnership with WSN Environmental Solutions and Canterbury City Council

• Busting the Myth Habibi:• A series of events (excursions, sports and workshops) aimed at

strengthening the relationship between Police and Muslim young people

• Working in partnership with Campsie LAC, Riverwood Community Centre and the Lebanese Muslim Association