The latest at SCARF | March 2021 ☀
It has been a fairly hectic start to 2021 but the new year has brought with it a renewed feeling of optimism as we re-boot community programs and continue to foster new partnerships and connections in the Illawarra to support the local refugee community.
2020 brought with it restrictions that impacted many of our programs and activities and we will continue to adjust to these restrictions as they continue to evolve but we are happy to be able to now offer our programs to community members with COVID Safe practices in place.
Last year we said goodbye to Pippa who led us through one of the most challenging years on record for SCARF. Pippa guided the team with determination and compassion and paved the way for further innovation within the organisation. We would like to thank Pippa for her contribution to SCARF and wish her well in her new role.
For the next few months, I will be acting CEO as the committee navigates the way forward. I feel honoured and privileged to take on this opportunity and I hope that I can serve the SCARF community, volunteers and staff in the best way possible to deliver positive outcomes in line with SCARF’s fundamental mission.
I am so pleased to introduce three new staff members that will help SCARF shape and deliver our programs and activities in 2021. Yolanda Mudukuti, joins us at the new volunteer support officer, and will take care of everything volunteering! Drew Sewell (Programs Manager) has taken over the reins from Claire who has opted for a less time-consuming role as Project Officer (Health). Drew will be working closely with me in refining our current programs and developing new projects and activities to meet emerging community needs. Cherie Aitken has joined us in the capacity of administration assistant and will be supporting the team and myself while I am the acting CEO. It is perhaps not surprising that each of these new employees was previously a volunteer at SCARF as well.
If you would like to support SCARF in any way or if you would like to partner with us in delivering any of our programs, please make contact.
Ian Jarman
Acting CEO
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BEACH VOLLEYBALL IS BACK IN 2021
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Join us for a weekly social get-together at North Beach for volleyball and beach activities. All SCARF community members, volunteers and friends of SCARF welcome.
When: Wednesdays
Time: 5pm – 7pm
Where: North Beach, Wollongong
Please note: children aged under 16 years of age will need to be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Hand sanitiser will be available. Please maintain a distance of 1.5 metres from others (no handshakes or hugging) and if you are displaying any cold or flu symptoms, please stay home and look after yourself.
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We would like express our immense gratitude to Collins Booksellers Thirroul for their incredible fundraising efforts over the 2020 Christmas period.
They raised $500 through community donations and have matched that with another $500 donation to SCARF. Thank you for your ongoing support over the years and thank to the community for your donations. Your support enables SCARF to continue providing friendship programs to refugee entrants in the Illawarra
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SCARF EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM CONTINUES TO EXPAND
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SCARF’s increased focus on employment support over the past six months has seen more community members being supported with their language, education, and employment goals. 37 community members attended one or more training sessions in 2020 that were run in collaboration with local training providers such as Kiama Community College and Fusion Walan Miya. Our Skills for Success mentoring program, that matches community members one-on-one with volunteer support, has now seen more than 50 individual mentoring sessions completed.
Recognising that employment remains one of the most significant challenges faced by resettled refugees, we hope to continue to grow our employment support in 2021. We have mentor opportunities and we are working with local businesses who are open to providing work experience or employment opportunities.
If you would like to get involved in any way, please get in touch.
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BECOME AN L2P DRIVER MENTOR IN 2021
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SCARF is continuing to seek new driver mentors for our hugely popular L2P driver mentor program. SCARF’s L2P driving program connects voluntary driver mentors with people from refugee backgrounds living in the Illawarra to provide mentoring sessions for learner drivers and facilitates a number of initiatives to increase community awareness about safe driving and road safety.
The demand for L2P driver mentors has remained high during COVID and the program has made a number of changes to implement COVID Safe practices some of which are done every time the car is used including a health questionnaire, temperature checking using a digital thermometer, sanitising hands and using antibacterial wipes on all high touch areas before and after each session. In addition to these high frequency measures, there are face masks and gloves in the car for anyone who feels the need for extra protection.
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One of our L2P driver mentors and community members talk about why this program is so important.
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SOCCER HELPS COMMUNITY MEMBERS MAKE CONNECTIONS
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Peete, SCARF community member, was interviewed by ABC Illawarra about the meaningful impact soccer has played in his life in Australia and the challenges faced by the Burmese refugee community. Local sports teams provide an excellent opportunity for members of the community to meet people and form new relationships. A passion for soccer in shared across the globe and connects people of different cultures, languages, and upbringings.
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