Auburn Migrant Resource Centre is a community based NGO which is managed by members of the local community who represent various language and cultural groups. AMRC is funded by various government and non-government bodies which designs and delivers services that aim to help migrants, humanitarian entrants and refugees who have settled in Central West Sydney to become self-reliant in the shortest possible time and resource those individuals and groups to become valued and active community members.

The AMRC employs a team of staff from a diverse range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds reflecting the communities we serve. They are structured in various teams including Settlement Services, Family Support, Small & Emerging Communities, Youth Services, Specialised Services and Arts/culture & small projects.

Delivery of services is provided free of charge and, in most cases, in appropriate community languages.


Direct Services

General information is provided in relevant community languages on issues such as immigration, housing, employment, material assistance, income support, education, health, English Classes & other settlement information.

Referral to specific and specialised services is also made to various service providers.

Individual and Family Caseworker are available at AMRC to provide services in various community languages (see language/culture list or refer to website). We also provide on-site specialized services by professional consultants, such as Immigration Assistance, Financial Advice and Family Support. Please contact the centre to make an appointment.



Quality Service Delivery through:

+ Direct settlement information & assistance through “Case Work” including outreaching from Blacktown and Canterbury Bankstown

+ Free or low cost use of facilities including, photocopy, fax, laminating and binding

+ Free or low cost computer facilities including internet, word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet and printing software.

+ Free Immigration advice

+ Free Financial Counselling

+ Providing EAPA vouchers

+ Use of Meeting Rooms after hours and on weekends

+ Free use of CD Player/ TV / Video & DVD Player / Overhead Projector

+ Library Facilities

+ Free intensive computer skills course

+ Free Conversational English classes



Community Capacity

+ Community development projects
+ Initiating and co-convening of the Multicultural Interagency meeting
+ Initiating and convening of the Auburn Humanitarian Network
+ Co-ordination and planning with Refugee Council and Mercy Refugee Service Management committee
+ Consultancy services on Access & Equity
+ Housing access project for women
+ Community Harmony Garden partnership with Auburn Council
+ Community Leaderships project for small and emerging communities
+ Publishing quarterly Newsletter



Educational and community empowerment Activities:

+ Free Intensive Computer classes for unemployed
+ Free Homework help classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Free First Aid classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Free conversational English classes (linking with TAFE outreach)
+ Sewing Classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Family Day Care classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Families First- Bi-lingual casuals training in partnership with ACL and ACDN
+ Job Search Skills for youth in partnership with Australian Arabic Welfare Centre
+ Organising Parenting Skills courses
+ Traditional Sari Sewing Classes (linking with AMES Employment)



Infrastructure and access for communities:

+ Provision of facilities and rooms 7 days a week all free of cost
+ Auspicing grants for smaller and emerging communities



Sensitising community and service providers

+ Facilitation of timely and appropriate information sessions for communities to develop skills, knowledge and empowerment
+ Initiate and co-ordinate the Multicultural Employment Expo.
+ Consultancy services on Access & Equity (eg. Conducting sessions for all divisions of Centrelink)
+ Input into Government policies (Local – State – Federal)
+ Community Consultations (eg. Somali, Ethiopian consultations , Refugee Youth Consultation)
+ Taking active part to organise the Refugee week celebrations
+ Taking active part to organise International Women’s Day.
+ Organising International Children’s Day


Snapshot of some major Events

+ Refugee Week Celebrations
+ Community harmony campaign
+ Open Day
+ Annual International Women’s Day
+ Community Consultations on a needs basis
+ Launching Special Reports
+ National Youth Week
+ Auburn Festival
+ AGM
+ Information Sessions


Publications by Auburn MRC

+ Directory of Services for Migrants and refugees in Auburn
+ Housing Directory
+ Quarterly Newsletter distributed to 500 community service providers/members
+ Employment Services Directory
+ English Class Directory for migrants and refugees
+ Annual Reports
+ Somali & Ethiopian Community Settlement Needs
+ Snapshot of Community Demographics

We constantly assess the needs of clients and work towards producing publications that will raise their issues of concern or assist them in settlement


Note: Our services are offered free of charge to permanent residents and refugees.



SERVICE PRINCIPLES


Auburn Migrant Resource Centre is committed to ensuring that services provided are of the highest quality and maintain a focus on client needs. AMRC endorses the following principles, which must guide the provision of quality programs & services:

1. Newly arrived migrants must have equal opportunity to realise their full potential and must have access to appropriate programs and services;

2. Every person should be able to maintain his or her culture without prejudice or disadvantages and should be encouraged to understand and embrace other cultures;

3. Needs of migrants should, in general, be met by programs and services available to the whole community but special services and programs may be necessary to ensure equality of access and provision; and

4. Services and programs should be designed and operated in full consultation with clients, and self-help should be encouraged as much as possible with a view to helping migrants to become self-reliant quickly.