Promoting Positive Youth News Stories

There is an avenue to positively profile young people’s stories and innovative youth programs in the local Leader Newspaper. If you have any stories, download the form and send to Aishling Fagan.

Kitted Out Forum

Kitted Out run by the Youth Participation Practice Network, has an emphasis on practical, hands-on workshops, with opportunities to engage young people.

The forum is relevant for both workers and young people involved in participation in your organisation – all are welcome!

For more information or to register, click here.

South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre  -Young People’s Action Committee

In late 2009 SERMRC embarked on a project with Youth Foundations Victoria for young people aged 12-25 in Narre Warren South and Hampton Park. A key outcome has been the establishment of the YPAC.

In April, there will be a training program for YPA Committee which will include:

• Leadership skills and team work
• Public speaking
• Event management, marketing and Promotional activities; and
• Video editing and graphic design.

To find out more, click here.

Youth Links

Youth Links (the Youth Services Unit of Springvale Community Aid & Advice Bureau) are having a launch to celebrate the official opening of new offices.

When: Friday 16 April
What time: 4pm
Where: 492 - 4, 49 Douglas Street, Noble Park & later at the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, Buckley Street, Noble Park

To send your RSVP or if you require more information, please call Dashnie or Martin on 9547 0511 or download  flyer

Free Theatre Performance

A free theatre performance by Horn of Africa Community members will be held on Saturday 17 April, 6pm at the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre (18-34 Buckley St, Noble Park)

For further information call Anna on 0421 720 725 or Shalim on 0427 787 022.

Odyssey House Program

This is a free 8 Week Family Support Program. This structured program offers information, education and support to parents living with the substance use of a family member. The program will also provide opportunity to meet other parents dealing with similar issues.

When : Friday 16 April
Where: Level 2, 229 Thomas Street, Dandenong
What time: Every afternoon for 8 weeks, 12.30 – 2.30pm

For more details and to register phone George on 9420 7610.

An introduction to Human Rights & Equal Opportunity

City of Greater Dandenong, in partnership with the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission, invites you to attend a free information session on ‘ an introduction to human rights & equal opportunity’.

If you are interested to know more about human rights and equal opportunity, what rights are protected in Victoria, and where to go if things go wrong, then this session is for you.

When: Tuesday 4 May
What time: 2 - 4pm
Where:  Meeting Rooms 1 & 2, Greater Dandenong Springvale Offices, 397-405 Springvale Rd, Springvale

Light refreshments will be served

RSVP by Thursday, 29 April to Kanthi Cumine on 9239 5199 or kcumin@cgd.vic.gov.au

For more information, click here

South Eastern League - Skate and BMX Competition

South Eastern League - Skate and BMX competition and Arcade Anarchy event will be held at Hemmings Park – Princes Highway, Dandenong (Melways Ref 90 C6) on 17 April 2010 between 10: 00 am to 3: 00 pm.

This is a free event. The event is a joint initiative of City of Greater Dandenong Youth Services, South Eastern 2010 League, ProTec, Strictly BMX, Dekline, Darkslar, Tensor, YMCA and SEADS.

For details visit Youth Services website or contact CGD Youth Services on 9793 2155.

Sports Inclusion

The Program aims to engage at risk CALD young people within the broader community and services through sport and recreation activities, such as basketball, volleyball and soccer games.

Girls Indoor Soccer

The City of Greater Dandenong Youth Services in partnership with SER Migrant Resource Centre is running 'Girls Only Indoor Soccer' (12 – 25 yrs) who live, work, study or recreate within the city.

When: Tuesdays starting 23rd March (4 – 6 pm Terms 1 & 2)
Where: Mills Reserve, Cleeland St. Dandenong
Cost: Gold coin donation

For details visit Youth Services website or contact CGD Youth Services on 9793 2155.

Street Styles Hip Hop Dance Program

The program is targeting young people aged 12 – 25.
When: each Tuesday
Where: At The Castle, Hemmings Park, Princes Highway Dandenong.

For details  visit Youth Services website or contact CGD Youth Services on 9793 2155.

Young Mum Play and Support Group

Young Mum Play and Support Group is for young mums and their toddlers aged between 1 and 3 years. The group has a Playgroup Facilitator, Maternal and Child Health Nurse and Youth Services staff member in each session to allow for the young mums to have direct links to services if needed. The program is now accepting referrals.

For more information, visit Youth Services Website
 

Dads and Kids Environmental Camp

A great chance for Dads and Kids to get away from "City Life", get back in touch with nature, and share this special time together. Weekend activities include a farm tour, fishing, bush walking, golf, other sports and games. Your family can also enjoy the fresh produce from the
farm.

When: Friday 30 April - Sunday 2 May 2010
Cost: Dads $140 & Kids $50 only.

Download the flyer, click here.

AMES: Education Ucan2 Project

Ucan2 continues this semester at Noble Park AMES Education, 60 Douglas St., Noble Park. This is a partnership with Foundation House, CMY and AMES to support CALD background young people on a pathway for full time study and part time work.

Dandenong AMES have begun a 6 week skill development program with Dandenong City Bowls Club on Fridays

Young people have been invited to become involved with the New Australian Media Writer Mentoring program for over 18 year olds from a migrant or refugee background who have a strong interest in issues or subjects that concern them or their community.

Current youth students have also been invited to attend weekly “Shakespeare in the Community” workshops at AMES Noble Park 4.30 – 6.30 pm during Term 2, 2010

Southern Directions Youth Services

Southern Directions Youth Services have two Post-Care Workers now posted in Dandenong
At the Y-Stop, 39A Clow Street. Our Dandenong office phone is 9792 1435 where you can contact either Deb Mulqueen (Mon - Fri) or Mardi Beaumont (Wed - Fri). Debbie Brooks is still based in Moorabbin on 8531 2000 (Mon – Fri).

Post Care Brokerage funds are available to young people from 16 to 21 years of age who were subject to a Custody or Guardianship to the Secretary Order on or after their 16th birthday, and who subsequently seek assistance after they have left care.

Southern Directions Youth Services are looking for new lead tenants for a Noble Park property.

For further information, download the information.

Hanover Educational Pathways Project

Recognising that children and young people experiencing homelessness often disengage early from school, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) has provided funding to Hanover for a 12 month Education Pathways Project, focusing on supporting children and young people in housing crisis. For more information dowload the project fact sheet or contact Linda Davis on 9792 3512 ext.308 or please visit: www.hanover.org.au

Learning Beyond the Bell (LBB)

Learning Beyond the Bell (LBB) is a program that assists organisations and schools to establish and maintain their 'Out of School Hours Learning Support' Programs (OSHLSPs). LBB is funded through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD).

Out of School Hours Learning Support Programs (sometimes know as homework clubs) can teach literacy or numeracy, build confidence and self esteem, provide study resources and improve attitudes to learning.

For further information, contact Placid Jayasuriya on 9771 6648. Refer to the website.

Centrelink Community Engagement Program

Centrelink Community Engagement Officers provide services to people of all ages who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

They can deliver services to people outside the traditional Customer Service Centre setting, in locations like drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, mental health units, hostels, boarding houses, refuges, drop-in centres, etc...

Download Program Summary - February 2010

Centrelink Community Engagement Team
Local Contacts : Dandenong Region
Steve Lysaght: 0457 509 500
stephen.lysaght@centrelink.gov.au
David Abrahams: 0457 509 506
David.Abrahams@centrelink.gov.au

SFYS Brokerage Available

Applications for Round 2 of the School Focused Youth Service Project Brokerage in Dandenong / Springvale are now being accepted. SFYS funding is available to support projects that enhance good practice in addressing the well being of 'at risk' young people (10-18 yrs), encourage partnerships between schools and the community and are sustainable. Please contact SFYS Coordinator, Angela Kogge on 8558 9014 for more information.

CALD Youth Inclusion Project

The CALD Youth Inclusion project aims to strengthen and support the vital work of local community groups and agencies by responding to to the needs of refugee young people.

A key initiative of the CALD Youth Inclusion Project is the Community Projects Flexible Funding. This has been provided through the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Victorian Community Support Grants Program; the purpose of which is to deliver projects to support local young people.

Local community groups and organisations are encouraged to submit a Flexible Funding project proposal. There is no closing date for applications. Proposals may be submitted at any time during 2010.

For further information, contact Ishti Turner on 9793 2155 or visit the website.

Training opportunities

Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health : Using an Interpreter to Best Effect

When: Wednesday 19 May 2010
What time: 9am – 1.30pm
Cost: $150

This workshop is for workers who regularly use interpreters with clients and want to make the process more efficient and effective.

You will learn how to ensure safe, consistent and effective communication between yourself, your clients and your interpreter. This will build your assertiveness and confidence in working with interpreters.

To book your place online or to find out more call (03) 9342 9700 or to find the culture, ethnicity & health Training Calendar for February to June 2010, visit the web.

New Hope Foundation: New Cultural Exchange Project

New Hope Foundation will be running a new project titled; Youth Without Borders – A cultural Exchange Project, to address issues of cultural, racial and religious intolerance affecting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) youth in the South East region of Melbourne. Each week there will be a different cultural theme where participants from a specific culture or ethnic group will share aspects of their culture in an engaging way. More details will follow once the project has begun.

‘Working with Refugee Youth’ training
This workshop provides participants with knowledge of issues and experiences faced by young refugees.

When: Thursday 20th May
What time: 10am-4pm.
Cost: $198 (GST incl.)

To see the New Hope Foundation’s Cross Cultural Training Calendar from March to June 2010, click here.

Southern Ethnic Advisory and Advocacy Council : Community Group Training

SEAAC is running free community group sustainability workshops for CALD youth group leaders on topics such as 'Local Council Grants', 'Event Management', 'Leadership and Mentoring', 'Grants and Funding'.

For more information contact Jikany on 9563 4130.

VYMA:  Cross Cultural Awareness and Communication

This workshop will enable you to:

• Deepen your understanding of the issues affecting young people from refugee and newly arrived backgrounds
• Develop an understanding of factors that impact on CALD young people in accessing, understanding and committing to a mentoring program
• Build your cross cultural knowledge and skills to better support mentors in your program

When: Wednesday 21st April 2010
Where: City of Melbourne Bowls Club, Flagstaff Gardens, Dudley St, West Melbourne
What Time: 10:30am–2:30pm (lunch provided)
Cost: VYMA Members $55 Non Members $110

RSVP: To Lauren Holst on 0411 374 225 or l.holst@youthmentoringvic.org.au by the 12th of April.

LA Trobe University : Centre for Dialogue - Leadership Training Programme for young Muslims (June – July 2010)

The Young Muslims Leadership Programme is a unique education program that aims to support leaders who can speak clearly and confidently about the various issues which confront people of Islamic faith in Australia today and who can actively participate in shaping Australia’s future.

For more information, click here. 

The University of Melbourne: Digital Storytelling Professional Development Courses

A two-week digital film-making professional development opportunity for youth workers and others working with young people. The aim of this course is to build transferable skills that combine practical knowledge of new media technologies with the ancient art of storytelling to facilitate the engagement of young people.

For further information, visit here.

Skills Plus Dandenong

Skills Plus Dandenong office offers accredited and short course programs - such as 'First Aid', 'Diploma of Management', 'Children's Services (Early Childhood Education & Care)', 'Certificate III in Aged Care' to name but a few. The Work Pathway Options: Course Directory 2010 contains information on the courses running at Skills Plus Dandenong and is now available.

For further information, contact Rebecca Pratt on 9792 9583 or visit here. 

 Forums/ Conferences

Diversity in Health 2010 Conference - International and Australian experts go head to head on multicultural health

The conference will be held from 7-9 June at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. The conference will have an impressive line-up of international researchers and Australian health experts.

Keynote speakers include Professor Mark Johnson (UK), Sharon E. Barrett (US), Dr Tim Woodruff, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, Nira Yuval-Davis (UK), the Hon Daniel Andrews, Graeme Innes, Janine Robinson (Canada), Andrew Jakubowicz, Voula Messimeri-Kianidis, Pino Migliorino and many others.

In addition to the keynote addresses, the conference will feature specialist sessions on aged care, mental health, family violence prevention, problem gambling, language services, sexual health, refugee health and cultural rights, plus more than 200 paper presentations.

Early bird registrations before 25 April. Exhibition booths are also available.

Learning Beyond the Bell Forum: Creating a Learning Community

Learning Beyond the Bell is holding its first statewide forum on 22 April 2010.
A free statewide forum to showcase best practice, celebrate success and equip schools and organizations to improve educational outcomes for young people from diverse backgrounds.

How can homework programs help young migrant and refugee students? What resources and supports are around for homework programs? Want to set up a homework program but not sure what to do? Come meet other program coordinators and service providers to learn from them and to also share your experience and expertise.

Book a place now! To download a registration form and for further details, click here.

Survey Monkey’s Newsletter – March 2010

Create your own customised survey link - you can customise a survey link it (collector) by adding your organization name or the survey topic at the end of the URL.

To find out more, click here.

Beyond the Bell

To see the latest Learning Beyond the Bell E-news, click here.

Our Community

To see the latest edition of Our Community Matters, click here – which is the capacity-building newsletter that builds stronger community groups and schools.

Spheres of Influence

To see the Spheres of Influence Electronic newsletter: Influential News – March 2010 - click here.

CMY Enews

The March 2010 edition of the Centre for Multicultural Youth's online newsletter, CMY e-News, is now available. Read the March 2010 edition of CMY e-News, see here.

This month we take a look at the successes of a recent project, Multicultural Multifaith Youth Mentoring.

VMC

To see the latest Electronic news of VMC, click here.

South Eastern Region Migrant Resource Centre

To see the MRC Newsletter, click here.

Department of Immigration and Citizenship - Settlement Planning Update

Download Settlement Planning update March 2010

For general information about settlement, immigration and to obtain copies of settlement planning updates, please contact Maheshwari Bryan at the Branch Analysis and Support Unit at vic.settlement.planner@immi.gov.au or telephone 9235 3442.

Dandenong Dads newsletter highlights the needs of couples where a partner is suffering peri natal anxiety or depression. View Dandenong Dads Autumn Newsletter.

For more information please contact John Maddick from Mens' Parenting Programs on 8558 9040 or through email: John.Maddick@southernhealth.org.au.

National Youth Week enews

Check out the second edition of the National Youth Week 2010 enews!

Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance Newsletter for April 2010

The newsletter includes information about the pilot of the New VYMA Mentoring Training Package, NRGize Training to Kickstart & Strengthen Your Mentoring Program and the inside scoop on funding and sustainability.

To find the Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance Newsletter for April 2010, click here.

 Surveys

RYAN

The Regional Youth Affairs Network (RYAN) provides strategic advice to Government on key issues for young people in Victoria. The network provides a key means for communicating and consulting between the youth sector, young people and Government.

RYAN is seeking your feedback and would encourage you to complete the survey.

Click here to find the survey link.

Should you have any queries in relation to the Regional Youth Affairs Network or the survey please contact Emma Firth on 03) 59454236.

 Research

Understanding the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Afghan Women in South East Melbourne

This study was undertaken by Angela Rintoul, in conjunction with the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture. It was prompted by reports of particularly high rates of depression and anxiety amongst the Afghan population in south east Melbourne. For more information, visit here.

To see the social demographic statistics, click here.

Please look over the following useful websites for information, training or funding opportunities:

Victorian Multicultural Commission - http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/
Department of Planning and Community Development - http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/
The Youth Affairs Council of Victoria Inc. - http://www.yacvic.org.au/
Refugee Council of Australia - http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au/
Centrelink Online Services - http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/online_services/index.htm
Department of Immigration and Citizenship - http://www.immi.gov.au/
Multicultural Mental Health Australia - http://www.mmha.org.au/
Headspace - http://www.headspace.org.au/
Beyondblue - http://www.beyondblue.org.au/index.aspx?
Department of Human Services Victoria, Australia - http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/home
Department of Justice Victoria, Australia - http://online.justice.vic.gov.au/ots/home
Vic Roads - http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/
Department of Education and Early Childhood Development - http://www.education.vic.gov.au/
Our Community.com.au - http://www.ourcommunity.com.au/