23/10/2023

Guiding New Beginnings, Empowering Humanitarian Entrants

In the heart of the vibrant Gold Coast, our Settlement team stands to support and empower people who have recently arrived in Australia as humanitarian entrants to access culturally appropriate services and navigate education, employment, and health systems to reach their goals and make Australia their home. To achieve this, we have two programs, the Settlement Engagement Transition Support Program (SETS) funded by our long-standing partner SSI and the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP) in collaboration with our esteemed partner, Multicultural Australia. In our HSP program, our dedicated team assists clients in their settlement journey during the crucial 18 months following their arrival. Our goal is to help them orient themselves to the local area, access essential services, establish connections, and find the support they need. For those who have arrived within the last five years, our SETS program steps in to address their ongoing settlement needs in Australia. We understand that the journey doesn't end upon arrival and are committed to providing ongoing support. At MCCGC, we aim to empower and equip our clients with the necessary tools and resources to rebuild their lives, foster connections, and create a sense of belonging within the vibrant Gold Coast community. If you are a humanitarian entrant on the Gold Coast or know someone who could benefit from our Humanitarian Support Program, get in touch with us. Our devoted team is here to assist you, offer guidance, and provide further information on accessing our services. Together, we'll build bridges to new beginnings and brighter horizons. To learn more, please click on the links below: Humanitarian Settlement Program https://www.mccgc.org.au/services/humanitarian-settlement-program/ Settlement Engagement Transition Support Program https://www.mccgc.org.au/services/settlement-engagement-and-transition-support-sets

23/10/2023

Cultivating Wellbeing and Connection

For MCCGC, nurturing wellbeing and fostering connections within multicultural communities is not just a mission, it's a lifeline that impacts countless lives in profound ways. We understand the unique challenges faced by migrants, including language barriers, cultural adjustments, and isolation. Our aim is to provide a welcoming space, offering vital support through programs like our Community Pathway Connector and NDIS Coordination and Access. In our Community Pathway Connector program we help multicultural communities find suitable and culturally safe support and services. If you know someone in need of additional support, we're here to facilitate connections with secure and compassionate resources. What makes our program exceptional? It's all about you—personalised, confidential, and available to individuals of all ages and visa statuses, without the need for a prior diagnosis. Your path to well-being starts here! In our NDIS Access and Support Coordination program we can help you to navigate the NDIS System in your preferred language. We can support your journey from applying to the NDIS program to point you in the right direction if you already have one. If you need help managing your NDIS funding, we can help you put your plan into action and make sure you're getting the most out of your funding. We'll help you understand what services and funds are available to you and connect you with your community and appropriate service providers. We have a unique understanding of personal needs in a cultural context based on our extensive experience with multicultural communities. In summary, MCCGC's role in supporting the wellbeing and connection of clients facing different barriers is immeasurable. This support not only enriches the lives of those we serve but also contributes to the broader goal of creating a diverse, cohesive, and harmonious Australian society. MCCGC's work is a testament to the transformative power of compassion, understanding, and community-building. If you want to learn more, please click on our links below: Community Pathway Connector https://www.mccgc.org.au/mccgc-services/mental-health-q53tpw/ NDIS Coordination and Access https://www.mccgc.org.au/mccgc-services/ndis

13/10/2023

Enrolling HSP young Clients in Primary and High School: A Heartwarming Journey

The HSP team has successfully enrolled eight of our clients from the Humanitarian Settlement Program in three different schools on the Gold Coast. Witnessing these young students start their educational journey was a heartwarming experience. For some of our clients, this marked their first return to school in nine years, and others had faced interruptions in their education due to circumstances in their transition country. Going back to school was a dream come true for these resilient kids. A significant effort has been dedicated to reaching this milestone. MCCGC has been actively collaborating with schools to address the complex needs our clients have in their educational journey. We've also been proactively networking with stakeholders to overcome the various barriers our clients face. This includes meeting educational needs by partnering with organisations such as The Smith Family and St. Vincent de Paul, as well as engaging with school guidance office. In our commitment to supporting schools, we've proposed cultural awareness training for their staff. This training equips school staff to better understand our clients' cultural background and their journeys before arriving in Australia, enabling them to provide more effective support. We've worked closely with parents to educate them about the Australian education system, as well as the expectations and requirements of schools from parents. As a symbol of our support, we've provided our clients with school bags generously donated to MCCGC by Arcadia. MCCGC remains dedicated to closely working with and supporting our young clients in their respective schools. We will continue to build relationships and networks with organisations to ensure our HSP clients have a successful start to their educational journey and achieve their dreams. Additionally, one of our young clients will be joining TAFE, where she aspires to improve her English, start a pathway in nursing, and eventually pursue higher education to become a general practitioner and a doctor. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who collaborated with us to make this journey a reality. Your support has been invaluable in making these dreams come true.