Projects
PRAISE Volunteer Project
PRAISE aims to build capacity with culturally and linguistically diverse volunteers and strengthen their involvement internally and outside of their own communities.
Advocate for volunteering throughout the whole community. Work closely with Volunteer-Involving Organisations to assess needs and requirements.
Work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities to create awareness of volunteering and to promote the benefits of volunteering to these groups.
Contact:
Alison Duff – PRAISE Volunteers Project Officer
alison.duff@diversitat.org.au
_______________________________________________
Out of Africa, Into Soccer Project
Aims to enhance the settlement of the emerging African refugee community by facilitating and supporting their participation in sporting activities. The project also aims to develop the leadership skills of community members through a process of mentoring by existing local sporting clubs.
The Out of Africa Into Soccer project is proudly supported by Vic Health.
Contact:
Dennis Tomasovic – Out of Africa, Into Soccer Project Worker
dennis.tomasovic@diversitat.org.au
_______________________________________________
GREAT – Geelong Refugee Education Assistance
Team
The GREAT program
is a volunteer based homework support program aimed at assisting refugee
school students and their parents with numeracy and literacy skill development.
You can volunteer to be part of this project.
Driver Practice Program
The Driver
Practice Programis designed to assist refugees obtaining
driving practice skills so that they can eventually obtain their drivers
licence.
Contact:
Carmel Carrol Community Development Officer
carmel.carrol@diversitat.org.au
_______________________________________________
TRAINING
Cultural awareness and competency training to a range of local providers and organisations including Barwon Health, local schools, church and community groups, Colac Herald and local Neighbourhood Houses.
Contact:
Tony Jenkins – Immigration & Welfare Manager
tony.jenkins@diversitat.org.au
_______________________________________________
The Strathcona Story
“Strathcona” is a beautiful, two-storey home located in McKillop Street, Geelong. The 1920’s property has been leased by Diversitat community services since 2002 and provides temporary accommodation for newly-arrived refugees and disadvantaged people in our community. With an impressive number of bedrooms, plenty of space and a special ambiance, the house can accommodate large families in a safe and secure environment.
The house is currently leased from the Uniting Church of Australia Presbytery of Barwon and Diversitat acknowledges their involvement in, and support of this project.
The church provides this property for community use at no cost, with Diversitat being responsible for the operating and maintenance costs alone. This exemplifies the Uniting Church’s commitment to help provide appropriate and effective housing for refugees and other marginalised groups within Geelong.
In late 2005, thirteen Diversitat volunteers (Work for Dole participants) worked to restore the old property to its former glory. The project ran for 2 days a week over a 6 month period, and took around 4680 man hours to complete. Participants in the project learnt valuable skills like carpentry, painting, masonry work, floor sanding and landscaping. They were involved in decisions about the work to be undertaken, garden layout and paint schemes. The house now has new paint, flooring and original features restored from the elaborate architraves in the entrance hall to the double attic at the top of an INCREDIBLY narrow little staircase! Without the assistance of the Diversitat volunteers, this unique project would not have been possible
Contacts:
Geelong West Office
153 Pakington Street, Geelong West 3218
Ph: (03) 5221 6044 Fax: (03) 5223 2848
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