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Current innovative programs include:
Parenting from the Heart project experienced a huge success in the last financial year, and thus received further funding to continue through the next financial year. In the last financial year, this project created 20 partnerships with various national and international organisations, created job opportunities for bilingual workers and offered various beneficial workshops, training and activities for community members, parents, children and bilingual workers from CaLD backgrounds. A series of Multicultural Playgroups was offered during this period and various activities highlighted the traditions of the different participating communities including songs, music and dances. The aim of these playgrousp was to involve parents and children in a creative environment. In these sessions, parents and children’s interaction was fostered by an experienced facilitator who involved them in various activities. The parents and children worked together to choose songs from their culture, and together with the music director and a community artist created the art work for the ‘Singing out of Tune’ CD. The CD included eight children songs and was launched in front of community members from twelve diverse communities. In December 2007 the children performed these songs and danced in front of a crwod of 100 people. A Parenting Kit ‘The Parenting Education Community Kit’ was developed as part of this project and it involved interviewing, photographing, writing and developing training for bilingual and community workers. The Parenting Kit was published at the end of November 2007. The Kit includes the feed back, tips and strategies given by participants from the workshops, cultural fiestas, group discussions and interviews. This Kit will be a resource for community members and service providers, thus ensuring that the lasting effects of this program continue even after the funding period is over. The parenting program continues to offer activities to families from CaLD backgrounds, to assist them with the invaluable work of bringing up children in a multicultural society. This year, the services of this program have been introduced to families in Merriwa. The program involves:
A free interpreter service is available through Translating & Interpreting Services (TIS) when required. The program is funded by the Department of Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and aims to economically empower migrant/refugee women, to increase social participation, impart health education and help women develop sustainable plans to continue their economic independence. This year the program has introduced other craft activities such as art on terracotta pots, fresh flower arranging, painting boxes and making artificial flowers. These goals are being achieved initially through the employment of ten bilingual workers from the African, Middle East and Asian communities. They were provided with training in areas of interview skills, family values and women’s health and visited women in their communities. The participation of women in the classes is quite successful through self–referral, and referrals from other surrounding service providers such as social workers, psychologist as well as friends and neighbours. In the span of the project, approximately 100 women have registered in the craft classes. Some women have been with the program since the beginning while others have left for employment or training or personal reasons and from time to time they drop in to see us. The sewing and craft classes have two instructors, seven machines, one over locker and the women have created some great products such as handmade cards (500), scarves, magic pillow (a quilt that folds down to a pillow), aprons and pot holders, skirts and tops, pillows, pillowcases, table runners and children’s clothing, kaftans, and some traditional African women’s clothing, knitting and embroidery. The women have pride of achievement amongst their peers in the class and are particularly happy when they take home the finished product to their family. The children’s on–site crèche and three carers provide quality time for the mothers in the knowledge that their children are well cared for and nourished. An exhibition and sale of some of the products has given some women the experience and satisfaction of economic gain and pride of self-production. The plan for next year is to set up a web sale page so that the women can experience a different avenue of selling the product and to continue the program. In 2008 we commenced a partnership with Swan–Balga TAFE whereby seven women have enrolled in a course which is sponsored by the program to formalize their sewing skills in the form of a Certificate I in Soft Furnishing and a TAFE Certificate of two units assisting in work and communication for employment. This can also lead them to a Certificate III Level, which will give them greater opportunity for work. The women have also had information from The Royal Life Saving Association, Centrelink, TAFE, Employment professionals, Drug and Alcohol Authority and the Ishar Health Manager/Nurse on health issues. The enthusiastic attendance of the women and their creativity and eagerness to learn is inspiring and a positive, happy and active atmosphere is present. When women are faced with huge social and environmental changes in their lives because of migration, war, illness and loss it is important that they maintain their self esteem and confidence. The Visiting Sisters Program is able to be part of that process. Wonder Woman Going Back to 'P' Work Ishar received funding from the WA Department of Education and Training under the Equity, Development and Innovation Grants Pave the Way. The project commenced in July 2008 and with further funding for 2009, continued to offer assistance to women from African, Middle Eastern and Asian backgrounds to develop and adapt their job search skills to the Australian context. There are a total of three series of workshops. The sessions include information on resume writing, job search and interview techniques and addressing selection criteria amongst other relevant topics. Further, the project provides individual assistance by a local Employment Service and by the Project Coordinator. The program also offers a crèche facility for women with young children. To date, the project is progressively achieving its objectives of providing training sessions to the three regional women’s groups - African, Middle Eastern and Asian. The Department of Education and Training continues to provide support at the training sessions thereby reinforcing its commitment. Attendances in the women’s group continues to increase and the quota of each regional group is achieved. The individual support program is tailored according to their needs with the training organisation - Mercy Community Services (former Mercy Employment Services) - and all members of the groups have attended their appointments with Mercy. Bicultural Ambassadors Physical Activity Program This 17 month program is funded by the Department of Health and Ageing Department and commenced in October 2008. It has a three pronged approach:
Sudanese Women’s Perinatal Support Program This 12 month project is funded by the State Perinatal Mental Health Unit. Sudanese women who are pregnant or have children under 3 years of age are invited or referred to this exciting informative program. The women meet weekly at Ishar for an 8 week program to learn new life skills, share existing skills and have fun. The project commenced in October 2008. Child Birth Information and Education Service Community Midwifery WA as the lead organisation and Ishar as its partner organisation were successful in receiving a Community Grant from OMI in 2007. This has led to the establishment of a pregnancy information and support service for newer arrival refugee women at Ishar which commenced in March 2008. This service was initially provided by Anne Coutts (midwife) and is now being provided by Donna Stephens(midwife). Donna’s passion for the women she is working with has created a nurturing, safe environment for them to receive the personalised pregnancy support they are not able to access elsewhere. It is hoped this service will continue into the future. Donna is available at Ishar every Tuesday to assist pregnant women with one–to–one childbirth education and early parenting enquiries. An interpreter service is available for use in these sessions. Drug and Alcohol Counselling/Education Heather Jacobson is a Registered Psychologist with over 25 years experience, providing support to individuals, couples and families, specializing in matters relating to substance use issues. She is available at Ishar on Monday mornings. The services she will provide through Ishar include:
A Special project for Carers was officially launched at the Trans–cultural Mental Health Week Event on the 11th October 2007 at The Niche in Nedlands, WA. A variety of stalls, seminars, workshops and entertainment were held at the event. There were twelve information stalls that were provided by Advocare, The Black Dog Project, Bridges Association, Community Culture and Mental Health Unit UWA, Carers WA, Mental Health Access Service, The Samaritans, Metropolitan Migrant Resource Centre, Ruah Work, Ethnic Disability Advocacy Centre, Ishar and the Continence Advisory Service of WA. Activities included the Laughter Yoga workshop, a seminar on the ‘Holistic Management of Anxiety Disorders’, the ‘Issues faced by CaLD Carers – Confidentiality’ talk and the performance of a piece from the «Ran Away’ which showcases the experience, survival and resilience of refugee women. The event was a success. It was well supported by service providers, consumers and Carers. In 2007 – 2008 the Carers Stories Project provided CaLD Carers with an opportunity to gain and expand knowledge in order to improve their caring role and to bring the family leadership to a different level. It also helped Carers to develop self–confidence and to empower them to manage their caring role more independently. A series of holistic psycho-educational seminars and therapeutic workshops included «The Healing Power of Flowers’;‘Creative Self Expression’; ‘Reiki’; ‘Harmony Self Love Day’; ‘Natural Remedies’; ‘Naturopathy’; ‘Essential Oils’; ‘Yoga, Relaxation and Meditation’ and ‘Introduction to Storytelling’. Carers also enjoyed team skill building activities such as a Swan River boat cruise and picnics at the Park. Four Carers from Thailand, Iran, Ireland and Australia have volunteered to participate in the Carers Stories project and share their life experiences in creative ways. The Blue Moon Film and Video Company have helped Ishar with capturing, filming and editing their stories. Let’s Be Active Program funded through the Department of Sport and Recreation provided an opportunity for Carers to get physically active to improve their health and well being. Between February and March 2008, Carers enjoyed a range of activities including Lawn Bowls, Yoga and Creative Self Expression. In 2007–2008 Let’s be Active project offered a range of activities to increase the level of participation in physical activity amongst CaLD Carers attending the Carers’ groups and increase knowledge and understanding of the health benefits related to physical activity. Carers experienced and enjoyed Laughter Yoga, Belly Dancing, Lawn Bowls, Badminton, Body Balance, Walking, Thai Chi and Interpretive Scarf Dancing. The Department of Sport and Recreation provided an opportunity for Carers to improve their physical and mental health. Between April and June 2008, Carers experienced and enjoyed activities such as badminton and belly dancing.
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