MFO March 2022 Newsletter |
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To all affected by the devastating floods that have caused so much damage in South East Queensland & in New South Wales. Keep strong, let's keep supporting and uplifting each other. We can all do something, that is the Queensland Spirit! WE CAN: Buy from local shops in areas affected, help out with clean ups and drive for a purpose not to sightsee, donate online to reputable charities, keep connected on community pages, offer some much needed snacks, lunch, dinner. WE CAN VOLUNTEER: www.volunteeringqld.org.au WE CAN DONATE: www.givit.org.au/storms-and-flooding Grants available: www.qld.gov.au/community/disasters-emergencies/disasters/money-finance/types-grants Community Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349 City of Gold Coast Disaster/Emergency Dashboard https://dashboard.cityofgoldcoast.com.au To all levels of Government, Local, State, Federal, our emergency services, volunteers, faith based, sporting, community groups everywhere. THANK YOU |
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It is heartbreaking to witness the destructive conflict that is happening in the Ukraine. For concerned family or friends: Attempt to contact the person by phone, email and/or social media to confirm they’re safe. If at first you can’t make contact, stay calm, be patient and keep trying. Services may be affected. www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/ukraine www.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-and-support/ukraine-visa-support |
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5 - 13th Queensland Women's Week. Theme: "KEEP MAKING NOISE" This theme encourages us to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and girls while recognising that there is still more to be done to achieve gender equality. - MFO is collaborating with Gold Coast Health on a display of different multicultural outfits to be featured at Robina Hospital from March 8th in celebration of International Women's Day (IWD) and Queensland Women's Week 2022.
- In house MFO IWD 2022 function organised, look out for photos on MFO social media and article in April MFO newsletter.
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MFO is so excited to present the “Living Book” event with the theme “Finding Home” at 3 locations. LIMITED SEATS! "This project is a collaboration between MFO and Gold Coast Libraries to celebrate Harmony Week. It’s an opportunity for GC residents to hear the stories of those who have been on different journeys to find their home on the Gold Coast. We hope that this project will promote inclusion, empathy and harmony in our community" Rana Al Mekarry MFO Living Book project Director & Facilitator. | | |
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WeConnectYouth is back! After a rocky start of the term with extra two weeks of holidays due to Covid and now some school days off for the rain, our WeConnectYouth group kicked off! We feel so glad to have our students back, this term we started our budgeting program, a fun way to learn a bit more of how to have a positive relationship with money, how to spend in a smart way, the benefits of savings and how rewarding it is to give money for charity. Our students also created amazing pieces of art to commemorate the Harmony Week which we will be celebrating this month. For them Harmony Week means “Be happy and celebrate the difference, because we are from different countries”, “Harmony means respect, belong to the world and be part of a big family” WeConnectYouth group is a part of the Youth Team at MFO, for more information about us, email Wai Yin Naidoo, Manager, Youth & Community Development at homework@mfo.org.au WeConnectYouth artwork will be part of 2022 Harmony Week public display with Gold Coast Health and MFO looks forward to celebrating Harmony Day March 21st in partnership with the staff and students at TAFE Southport. |
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Hi all, my name is Ebony and I am on placement at MFO beginning of March. I started my Bachelor of Social Welfare in 2020 and plan to do a Master of Social Work following my degree. I plan on working in Youth Work or Mental Health as during my degree I found I was very interested in Trauma informed practices and how it impacts children. I will be around the office and am eager to learn from everyone. My cultural heritage includes South American (Peruvian) and Fijian and I was born and raised in Australia. I came across MFO as my degree required us students to gain experience by volunteering and so I applied to volunteer at MFO in 2020 August and have been volunteering ever since! |
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A big congratulations to all those who received their Australian Citizenship on the 2nd March 2022 at the Art Centre Gold Coast. MFO would personally like to congratulate Karim Kara Koche and his family on becoming Australian Citizens. Karim has been a part of the MFO family since his arrival in Australia and we are proud to know him and his beautiful family. We would also like to congratulate Bashir Artin, Hagush Gebremariam and Selam Gebresilase who we have known for many years and are very proud that they too have become Australian citizens. |
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The SARA program was established in 2017 and is the first specialised Domestic & Family Violence (DFV) service for women from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) background on the Gold Coast. The program is funded by the Queensland Department of Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services. Our highly qualified bilingual workers provide DFV crisis response as well as support and assistance. Contact the SARA program on Mobile 04 05 06 55 44 Email intake@saraprogram.org.au | | |
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MFO Swimming MFO’s Multicultural Swimming Nights wrapped up last week with the final night of swimming. This swimming season has been difficult with COVID issues and extreme bad weather but was still a lot of fun and we will run it again at the end of the year when it warms up. If you want to join the swimming nights, please contact MFO and register your interest and we will invite you to all of our activities including swimming. |
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DON’T BE LEFT IN THE DARK. Send your contact details to MFO so we can text you and invite you to participate in our free activities and events. Please text your full name and email address to Sebastian on 0402257118 and we will add you to our text group and email list so you don’t miss out on anything again. |
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Look at these Fantastic Opportunities |
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MFO is delivering 3 Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW) courses this year in 3 different areas – Hospitality, Logistic, Construction. Courses are open to everyone – Australian and New Zealand Citizens, permanent residence and even people on temporary or bridging visas. (International students on Sub Class 500 visas are unfortunately not eligible). All courses are fully funded by the State Government and are an approved activity if you are on Centrelink. Course Start dates: - Cert II Hospitality courses (12 weeks, 2 days a week) 15 March and Mid-August
- Cert II Supply Chain Management (8 weeks, 3 days a week) – 16 March and mid-August
- Cert I Construction Traineeship – 18th April (18 weeks, full time and you are PAID to train)
If you are interested and want to join one of our courses, please call MFO or (07) 5571 0381 or email kevin.melo@mfo.org.au or sebastian@mfo.org.au with your contact details and we will send you an expression of interest form to complete and check your eligibility. This is a great opportunity to expand your skills in industries that are desperately looking. Spaces are limited so please contact us soon to secure your spot. |
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NDIS and Disability Services. MFO provides personal and caring support to all people with disabilities and are always welcoming new people to the MFO family. If you or someone you know needs disability support, please contact MFO and we can come out and have a personal chat to you about what services we provide and how we can help you get the most out of life. Our disabilities support team are constantly on the lookout for qualified carers with disabilities/aged care experience. If you or someone you know has a cert III in individual support or similar and have experience in disabilities or aged care, please send your CV through with a brief email with information about yourself and with the days you are available to work. Remember all disabilities workers must be fully vaccinated and use PPE at all times when in close contact with clients. |
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Disabilities Social and Life Skills Program. MFO delivers a FREE Capacity Building program to people with a disability to assist them in developing their capacity to be more independent through engaging in fun and interesting activities. This program runs in a number of locations on the Gold Coast and are always welcoming new participants. For more information on locations, times and activities, please call Cassie on 0416 864 739/(07) 5571 0381 or on email cassie@mfo.org.au |
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Multicultural Affairs is funding TAFE Queensland to deliver a 12-week training course for members of the community interested in becoming interpreters in new and emerging languages. There are 120 places available for the subsidised interpreter training program. The scholarship will cover the cost of the course, except for a student contribution of $100 to be paid at enrolment. The program delivered by TAFE is a 12-week online Interpreting Skills course endorsed by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters. The first Interpreter Training Boost Program course will begin from 16 May 2022 to 12 August 2022. A 20-week English Language Bridging Course would be offered to participants who need extra support so they could participate in the next round of the Interpreting Skills course. | | |
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Not all community heroes wear capes and a lot of them go unnoticed but this is your chance to show your appreciation and support with nominations closing on 21st March. Successful heroes will receive a $20,000 grant for their organisation and the other two finalists will receive a $5,000 grant each for their organisations. | | |
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MFO is looking forward to: |
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Thanks to Marie, City of Gold Coast Multicultural Officer for collaborating with communities and services on the Gold Coast Cultural Celebrations & Multicultural events guide - March to June. This event guide aims to promote our multicultural groups and showcase our diversity. It is a great tool for members of the Gold Coast Multicultural Network and community organisations to plan for upcoming events in the future. | | |
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- City of Gold Coast wishes to recognise those people that are changing lives and our community for the better. GC Australian of the Year is now OPEN. Submit your nomination now.
- Check out the City of Gold Coast website, subscribe to the weekly newsletter.
- If you are a community-based group, organisation or individual offering free or low cost services to residents and visitors, you can list your information on the Gold Coast Community Directory. This is a free promotional service.
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Multicultural Families Organisation office in Southport is OPEN. - Ring 5571-0381 for in person or phone appointment.
- Please do not attend office if unwell, close contact or COVID positive.
- Global Village Op shop open Monday to Thursday 10am - 3pm.
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- Purchase our book “Finding Home: Journey’s of Hope” $20.
- Make a tax deductable donation to our charity.
- Donate food vouchers for vulnerable people in need.
- Follow us and share our information on social media YouTube, Facebook & Instagram.
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We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians of this land, the Kombumerri People of the Yugambeh Language Region, and pay our respect to Elders past, present and emerging on this land we work and provide services. We extend respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture, community and country. | | |
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Crisis support In case of an emergency, call Triple Zero (000) for Police, Fire or Ambulance. |
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