News

This month Metro Assist celebrated Diwali, fostering cultural diversity, while Halloween brought together 100 participants for youth-led activities. Expo on the Green showcased services to 150 students and Minister Andrew Giles visited, highlighting Metro Assist's vital role. Jihad Dib MP offered valuable advice at the Dress for Work boutique, empowering Kingsgrove High School students, while the settlement team attended the 2023 National Settlement Conference in Melbourne.

 

Celebrating Diwali / Deepavali

It was lovely to #shareculture and a warm samosa at the beginning of the month, as the team from Metro Assist celebrated Diwali / Deepavali, with an afternoon tea at the Campsie office.

The Festival of Lights is a significant Hindu religious festival to celebrate the spiritual triumph of light against darkness, good against evil, and knowledge against ignorance.  

An important motif of Diwali, a Rangoli, was also chalked on the ground as a symbol to keep evil at bay and bring in good fortune.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metro Assist hoped everyone celebrating this occasion had a happy and joyous time with family and loved ones.

 

Halloween Spookfest

It was a fang-tastic Halloween, where 100 witches and warlocks came out of their lairs for some spooky activities at Ashfield Library’s Halloween Spookfest.

Metro Assist partnered with headspace Ashfield, Co.As.It. and the Inner West Council to run the youth-led event that included badge and lantern-making activities, spin the wheel, a DJ, and a BBQ to feed the hungry monsters. It was a great way to encourage social engagement and connection for young people and looks like a ghoulish time was had by all.

 

Expo on the Green

The Settlement team participated in “Expo on the Green” organised by Tafe NSW in partnership with Department of Communities and Justice at the Bankstown Campus. Metro assist held an information stall, where 150 students were able to interact with our staff members and learn about the free services that could benefit them.

Our Domestic and Family Violence Specialist delivered 2 sessions about Healthy Relationships V’s Abusive Relationships to raise awareness about these sensitive issues and build the resilience of CALD communities as part of our primary prevention program.

A big thank you to our TAFE students undertaking their work placement at Metro Assist, who did a great job providing information and support to their fellow students!

 

The Hon. Andrew Giles Visit

The Bankstown office received a visit from The Hon. Andrew Giles, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs. The team, including Metro Assist's Chair Scott Machin, CEO Nina Shahi, and Settlement and Employment Services Manager April Pan, had the privilege of showcasing our Dress for Work boutique to the minister, before being joined by the Hon. Jihad Jib MP, Member for Bankstown.

During the meeting, the team briefed the ministers on Metro Assist's Settlement and Employment services. They also listened to the concerns from the Ukrainian Council of NSW, Andrew Mencinsky and Metro Assists clients.

When the minister inquired about potential improvements to the immigration journey, Jamshid, a young immigrant from Afghanistan, expressed his wish that he had known about Metro Assist earlier. His response underscored the importance of an early connection to the location-based services offered by Metro Assist when migrants first arrive in the area.

 

Jihad Dib MP suitably impressed at Dress for Work

Jihad Dib MP was suitably impressed with the Dress for Work boutique at Bankstown office last Monday. His visit coincided with a group of boys from Kingsgrove High School, who were there to be fitted for their formal.

The boys had the chance to engage and get advice from the minister on the significance of first impressions and looking well-presented.  The boys are looking sensational in their new suits and ready to take on the world with confidence and enthusiasm.

 

2023 National Settlement Conference'Building the Future Together'

The Settlement team attended the 2023 National Settlement Conference under the theme 'Building the Future Together' on November 23rd and 24th in Melbourne. The conference provided a great opportunity to interact with key contributors in the settlement sector, share achievements, best practices, and updates. It was also an opportunity to participate in various workshops and sessions to learn more about the work accomplished over the past year to redefine and improve the Australian settlement framework and system.

The settlement team participated in Poster Presentations with two submissions showcasing our innovative responses to settlement issues: the Skill Me program and the Community Capacity program - 'Building Together, Thriving Forever.'

Additionally, the settlement team attended the 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner organized on the 23rd. They had the chance to mix and mingle with leaders and advocates in the Settlement space, enjoying a vibrant night full of information, cultural celebration, and fun.