Unity in Diversity

unity in diversity Annual Report 2014 Diversitat Refugee Photography Project This exhibition celebrated six remarkable individuals from refugee backgrounds that contribute greatly to the Geelong community through their work with Diversitat. They were from Sudanese, Iraqi, Karen(pictured), Ethiopian, Afghani(pictured) and Bosnian backgrounds and reflect the diversity of Geelong’s newly arrived and more established migrant communities. Their contributions to the organisation are highly valued as bi-lingual support workers, case managers, volunteers and as workers with Diversitat’s Property Services Social Enterprises. The skills, dedication and empathy they bring to their roles greatly assists the settlement process of individuals from Geelong’s newly arrived communities and provides the support they need to reach their full potential. These images were taken by internationally awarded photographer, Tobias Titz, as part of a project for 2014 World Refugee Day that aspired to share stories that are rarely told by mainstream media about the experiences of refugees. Tobias Titz is a freelance photographer based in Melbourne, Australia. Over the last ten years he has worked for a range of local and international magazines and commercial clients. All images © Tobias Titz www.tobiastitz.com Annual Report 2013 - 2014 1 Annual Report 2014 Contents President’s Report 2 Diversitat’s Key Achievements 3 CEO’s Report 4 Strategic Vision 6 Executive Committee, Management Team & Affiliated Ethnic Community Groups 7 Arts & Events 8 Aged Support 12 Employment Services 16 Training 20 Settlement Services & Community Programs 28 94.7 The Pulse 36 Wholefoods 38 Youth Education 40 Income Statement 45 Thankyou 46 Diversitat Services & Sites 48 2 President’s Report Dear Diversitat Friends As I pen this Annual Report, it is most difficult to comprehend how a year has gone by since I wrote my last one. In that time, through countless programs, events, services and training, you, the Diversitat staff and volunteers, community groups, sponsors and supporters have all made an overwhelming difference to many a disadvantaged youth, elderly person, refugee family, unemployed or Geelong community member. Diversitat’s mission of empowering individuals and communities to reach their full potential promotes a sense of achievement, acceptance, pride and success as they strive to be the best they can be as contributing members of the Geelong community and connect with the social, cultural and economic life of this great city of ours. In an ever-changing climate and community sector that often brings about uncertainty and doubt, it is pleasing to see our organisation reinvent itself and its programs to ensure that we are not left behind and move with the economic challenges confronting us. All this is achieved whilst still remaining true to the values and beliefs that always have and always will be Diversitat. Such re-evaluation and constant adjustment comes only with the continual support and committed efforts of Diversitat managers and staff. Your day after day dedication and service to our clients does not go unnoticed nor unappreciated. As always, my sincere thanks to our CEO, Michael Martinez, for his categorical passion and unwavering commitment to the daily operations of Diversitat and Financial Controller, Brian McMahon, for his utmost diligence and hard work in maintaining financial order. To my fellow Executive members, thank you for your friendship, wisdom and support in steering Diversitat over the last twelve months. The generosity of spirit and goodwill amongst the wider Geelong community, networks and partnerships is also to be commended and celebrated. To the ever-growing number of members of our affiliated groups, thank you to each and every one of you for your friendship and support over the previous year. May our journey continue to be rewarding for many more years to come. Yours sincerely Dr. Linda Sydor Petkovic President Annual Report 2013 - 2014 3 Diversitat’s Key Achievements 100 partipate in Clothing Relief over Women’s Craft 400+ 21% of Youth JSA clients clients Centre helps obtained work in 120 countries Circle receive the Hospitality Industry have people listening to 709 activities 500+ 94.7 The Pulse Settlement Grants Aged people via online live streaming Program (SGP) clients Support 6,000 spectators 250+ Geelong After Dark Services participate in artists & participants 109 clients Up to Bike Safe obtaining their Probationary Licence Program 300 through the Driver Education program 100 Approx. 436 1060 active enrolments in young students enrolments for Language and Literacy Traineeships with people 247 in Children’s Services & discovered cooking at Settlement & Community 160 students 129 in Food Processing Programs assisted by enrolled in Youth SchoolHoliday Education programs 54% of Youth JSA clients Cooking 231volunteers with gaining their 8 obtained Apprenticeships/ Workshops Pako Festa full VCAL Traineeships in Construction/Trades entertainers 8,000 4500 casework hours spectators people + delivered between five 48 in Sewing Program 100,000 Financial Counsellors @ Diversitat’s Hub Largest numbers of HSS 23 first languages spoken withinAged Support clients come from Afghanistan & Burma countries of birth 30 36 400+ students 236 clients through the You Turn gained Community and Health 130+ Humanitarian Settlement Services students Course Qualifications, and dedicated volunteers (HSS) Program at 94.7 The Pulse Young 200+ gained Certificate 78+ of Attainment locally produced & presented Parents 12,159 8Program radio programs including 18 meals served at ethnic languages, weekly at students Wholefoods Cafe 94.7 The Pulse. 28% of CALD JSA clients obtained work in Cleaning/Asset Maintenance + 40 Youth Futures participants from CALD & refugee backgrounds up to 200 students in Arts Short Courses 4 CEO’s Report Much like a family, Diversitat’s and Council members with a special thanks to the fundamental role is to empower growing number of wonderful, kind and generous individuals and communities to volunteers without whose help all this could not reach their full potential. With be realised. the help of our hard working One of this years new initiatives was to look at the and committed team Diversitat disability services within the CALD community. aims to achieve the best We have undertaken significant research and possible outcomes for our clients against an ever commenced working with refugee and migrant evolving and changing environment and 2014 has clients with disabilities who, without our support, been no different. would have no access to services. As many of our supporters would know this year Likewise we continue to innovate and drive program has been one of much change and new challenges development across our various program areas, for the community sector in general. As such, the such as in Arts and Events where we directed the community sector according to various surveys inaugural After Dark program in the City, considered and reports in 2014, has experienced high levels of to be one of the best arts events held in the central uncertainty and pessimism about funding and the Geelong area. future. What I am really proud of is Diversitat’s ability Pulse television is another example of new initiatives to tackle these issues, look for the opportunities and launched by us through the dedication of our staff adapt to the changing trends to ensure the long and volunteers with the support of our sponsors. term success of our communities and individuals. Sitting alongside this innovation is the ongoing In response to these challenges we have made day to day case management and community significant changes to our operations, developed development work done across the many new programs and we are very confident about communities of Geelong which we assist, ranging our future endeavours. from the needs of our recently arrived refugees and Like many not for profit RTO’s and TAFE’s throughout asylum seekers to the complex needs of our older the state we have struggled under the weight of the population. State Government cuts whilst balancing increased Our future growth into the Barwon South West demand. Likewise, Federally, there has been a great region is underway and we have a number of funded deal of uncertainty around departmental program positions in Colac and Warrnambool. funding with a number of programs cut affecting our service delivery methods and practices. What is most pleasing about our services and the development of our organisation is that we remain This year’s annual report is about telling these true to our key mission and goals. I would like to say stories, highlighting the achievements of clients a big thank you to all of our Diversitat family. and staff within our programs and services, as well as showcasing some of our new enterprises and Thanks to all those who have donated to our various initiatives that have taken place during the year. fund raising activities and thanks to our sponsors We also wanted to map the changing trends and and supporters across a range of philanthropic demands within our community and individual organisations and government departments, that clients in regard to training, employment, we may continue to ensure dignity, respect and participation, events and activities. acceptance of all individuals in our society. All of this could not be achieved without the Michael Martinez dedication, enthusiasm and commitment of our CEO Diversitat fantastic staff, President Linda Petkovic, Executive Annual Report 2013 - 2014 5 Geelong Cats Footballers teach Aussie Rules to our community kids at The Hub 6 \ Strategic Vision To empower individuals and communities to reach their full potential 2012 - 2015 Voice, Connections Service Delivery Staff and Organisational and Partnerships and Quality Goals: Volunteer Goals: Development and Goals: Sustainability Goals: 1. Integrate and grow 1. Attract and retain 1. Continue Diversitat’s 1. Work with Diversitat’s programs appropriately skilled leadership role (at the other community and services to improve staff and volunteers who local, state, national and organisations, long-term outcomes for share the vision and international level) in government clients.

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