Annual Report 2016

Settlement Inclusion Aged Care Disability Contents

1 Introduction 3 Our People

Mission, Vision, Values 4 Localities 13 Strategic Priorities 5 Organisation Structure 14 2016-2019 Snapshot of the Year 6

2 Where we are now 4 SMCS Services, Performance and Chairperson's Report 8 Finances Chief Executive Officer's 9 Report Aged Care Services 16 Summary & Overview 12 Settlement Services 20 Poverty Alleviation 22 Services

Other Services 23

2016 Financial Summary 24 Acknowledgements 36

Contact SMCS Head Office

3 General Bridges Crescent Daceyville NSW 3922 t: (02) 9663 3922 e: [email protected] w: www.sydneymcs.org.au

2 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 3 Mission SMCS Strategic Priorities Sydney Multicultural Community Services is a not-for-profit organisation committed 2016-2019 to the direct relief of suffering among people, who, because, of barriers such as language, poverty, isolation and disability are not able to enjoy the advantages of this Priority 1: Impact in Communities

society. Strategies 1.1 Provide effective emergency, settlement and ongoing support services for Migrants, Humanitarian Entrants and Refugees to enable them to transition into and participate in their local community. 1.2 Grow our community aged care services for CALD communities, with a particular emphasis on emerging or under resourced groups. Vision 1.3 Expand capabilities to further service and support CALD people with a disability. To help disadvantaged and marginalised 1.4 Build the capacity and capability of other organisations to be able to provide quality and responsive migrants and refugees to be involved in and services to CALD communities.

appreciated by Australian society while Priority 2: Engagement and Advocacy maintaining their cultural identity. Strategies Values 2.1 Identify and understand the needs of disadvantaged CALD communities in Sydney to inform service planning, policy and advocacy. Respect 2.2 Communicate, consult with, and engage government, other sectors and the media to advocate for Compassion and valuing diversity. issues relevant to Refugees and CALD communities.

Inclusiveness and Social Equity Priority 3: Innovation and Good practice Respecting others views, culture, choice, freedom and social justice. Strategies 3.1 Practice people-centred, consumer directed approaches in our work with CALD communities. Integrity Honesty and congruence between what we say and what we do. 3.2 Develop new and innovative models of service delivery to build the sustainability of the organisation and improve client outcomes. Openness Professionalism, transparency and the development of a learning culture. Priority 4: Sustainability and Excellence

Creativity and Compassion Strategies 4.1 Continuously improve internal systems and processes to enhance our work in CALD communities. Flexibility, adaptive to change and capacity for innovation in order to incorporate and represent Culturally and Linguistically diverse (CALD) specific needs.

4 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 5 SMCS 2016 Snapshot of the year

1 2 5 6

3 4 7 8

1. Seniors Morning Tea, 2016 2. SMCS Seniors Carnivale, April 2016 5. SMCS Refugee Week Celebration, 2016 6. SMCS Refugee Week Celebration, 2016

SMCS workers Lucyna Weglowska-Karagiorgou SMCS Care workers enjoying the Seniors SMCS Refugee Week celebration aimed to raise St school choir attends the SMCS Refugee Week and Maureen Kelly-Pain attend the Seniors Carnivale, pictured Selma Fonseca and Paola awareness of issues affecting refugess and to celebration to perform for guests and visitors Morning Tea hosted by The Hon. Matt Thistlewaite Mantilla. celebrate the positive contributions they have including The Hon. Matt Thistlewaite MP. MP. made to Australian society. 3. SMCS Seniors Carnivale, April 2016 4. SMCS Seniors Carnivale, April 2016 7. SMCS Seniors Carnivale, April 2016 8. Harmony Day Celebration, March 2016

An annual event, the SMCS Seniors Carnivale SMCS employees attending the annual Seniors The Hon. Matt Thistlewaite MP for Kingsford Harmony Day celebrates Australia's cultural celebrates the diversity of Aged Care clients, as Carnivale event, as part of Senior Week. attends Sydney MCS' Multicultural Seniors diversity. SMCS was part of this celebration. part of Senior Week. Carnivale, pictured with EO Rosa Loria.

6 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 7 Chairperson's Report Chief Executive Officer's

As Chairperson of Sydney Multicultural Report Community Services it gives me great Sydney Multicultural Community Services pleasure to present this report to the 2016 has successfully achieved many significant Annual General Meeting. milestones and fronted many environmental challenges during 2016. Our 36th year of We had a very busy year with activities and operation has marked yet another year projects to complete. We can all feel very of change and achievement. Our success proud of our centre as we continue to serve can be attributed to our professional and our community. We have maintained strong adept Board of Directors and staff members While some advocates have argued for advocacy, built solid partnerships, improved who have driven our superior performance CALD seniors to lose the special needs our financial position and continued throughout the year. classification under the Aged Care Act, so as to produce work of high quality and to move their issues into mainstream aged effectiveness, SMCS has also maintained Service excellence: care policy, such a position will be risky and high levels of financial accountability. Over the last 36 years our strength as an overestimate the progress that has been organisation has been our commitment made. This position assumes CALD issues Sydney Multicultural Community Services direction, more than able lead by the to migrants, refugees and the needs of are understood by service providers when provides a culturally safe environment with Executive Officer, Rosa Loria and excellent CALD aged communities and their carers. they are not. The recognition of needs of services that meet the diverse needs of new staff. We are also enhancing our governance At Sydney MCS we continue to focus CALD people is very important and that it migrants, refugees, and the frail aged CALD strategies to keep pace with funding refugee on delivering effective, appropriate and guarantees access. I go to meetings and I community. It has been yet another exciting programs and others, like Settlement responsive service provision to these clients. can guarantee that I will be the only person year as the Centre continues to grow with Support Program and Settlement Services As a not for profit organisation and changes that raises CALD issues at those meetings. new staff, services, projects, community International. in funding, we continue to make the most Views in society that older CALD people groups and programs to cover new regions. of our limited resources in innovative and 'should have learned English by now', or A big thank you to the Aged Care Support effective ways in order to provide crisis relief 'they should just cope' persist. We’ll continue to train new and old staff Committee for their support of our Frail and assistance, Settlement and Aged Care to make sure that everyone has the Aged and Dementia specific Centre Based services to meet the needs of migrants, In an ideal world every organisation should knowledge and confidence to fulfil their jobs Day Care Program, the Community Visitors humanitarian entrants and the aged CALD provide services to everyone across all accordingly. All workplace policies have been Scheme, the Multicultural Home Care communities and carers. cultures including refugees and migrants, updated and some minor repairs done to the Packages and the Multicultural Healthy which is currently not happening. Our key centre to make sure that we provide a clean Ageing Project, also to the wonderful Increased relevant and accessible program focus is to address the needs of persons and pleasant environment for both clients volunteers who run social groups and delivery: Access to service is a key issue while also reducing positive discrimination and staff. English classes providing support for our for SMCS. Our target group are people policy needs to be implemented to provide migrants and refugees. from culturally and linguistically diverse access to disadvantaged groups. Therefore, The Board of Directors continues to develop backgrounds who generally lack awareness it is essential for SMCS to continuously its role in evolving Sydney MCS's strategic And last but not least I wish to give thanks of and access to available resources and improve and expand our capacity to deliver to Sydney MCS Staff and their Executive opportunities. effective and relevant client services Officer, Rosa Loria for their professionalism to CALD community groups. While the in management and coordination of all People from CALD backgrounds share “We can feel very Australian population as a whole is ageing, services at Sydney Multicultural Community with other Australians, the ménage of the population of people from CALD proud of our centre as Services. circumstances that arise from the ageing backgrounds is ageing at a more rapid rate. process. However, they also have unmet we continue to serve cultural, linguistic and spiritual needs "Projections of older immigrants" People Magnolia Szabo and face multiple barriers in accessing our community." CHAIRPERSON from CALD backgrounds (1996-2026 appropriate aged care services and support Health and Welfare Report) states that in older age. 22.5% of older Australians will be from

8 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 9 Chief Executive Officer's Report cont.

“People from CALD backgrounds share with other Australians, the ménage of circumstances that arise from the ageing process. ".

CALD backgrounds by 2011. This reflects Throughout 2016 we have formed a significant growth rate of 23% for the and further consolidated a number of Australian born population. This changing partnerships with mainstream and ethnic demography is largely due to the ageing specific organisations in aged care, of the large-scale immigration intake to settlement and disability space. IMAGE ABOVE Australia after the Second World War. The Sydney Multicultural Community Services employees enjoying the annual Multicultural Seniors Carnivale. 2007 addition of Day Care for Frail Aged/ Effective Management: Pictured Back row: Noel Zihabamwe Dementia clients for the Eastern area of The Management Team and Board of Second Row: Paola Mantila, Joanna Chan, Nazhin Safavi, Moumita Saha, Liliana Hernandez, Arturo Escartin, Lucyna Weglowska- Sydney is a direct response to this need. The Directors have continued to secure income Karagiorgou, Bianca Pedro, Rosa Loria Legal Aid Family Law Clinic service continues from a range of sources, developing a broad Front Row: Rossana Gurrieri, Selma Fonseca, Maureen Kelly-Pain, Jessica Pleitez to run twice monthly at our Daceyville office. and diverse funding base that ensures ongoing financial viability. Sydney MCS has During 2016 Settlement Services a very effective model of management International (SSI) in partnership with MRC's that facilitates a well-planned and in NSW secured funding for the Ability accountable service. The Sydney MCS team Links program, which will see a number is progressive, committed and directly of disability linkers working from various contributes to continuous improvements of locations across Sydney to assist people the day-to-day management and quality of with disabilities to access vital services. the Sydney MCS services. Complementary Sydney MCS has secured an Ability Links to this is the continued development and worker to provide this service for our Sydney implementation of excellent financial MCS office, as well as the Settlement management systems and practices to Support Program. ensure the viability to implement Sydney MCS's organisational objectives. Leadership and Innovation: An ongoing challenge for Sydney MCS is Sydney MCS recently hosted delegations to show leadership in our response to the from Korea and Japan. The delegations specific needs of CALD communities within visited for a series of consultations on the the Eastern Sydney and the Inner West Centre's services policy, management and region. The allocation of new and additional administration and the role as a Migrant program funding confirms and re-enforces Centre in the Australian context. our leadership ability.

Overall we have a two-fold approach Rosa Loria, to service provision, involving culturally CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER IMAGE ABOVE appropriate and community networking. SSP info session at St Leonards TAFE

10 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 11 SMCS Summary and Overview SMCS Localities

Currently, Sydney Multicultural Community Sydney Multicultural Community Services currently covers the local government areas (LGA) of: Services has a staff of 48 who cover eight Ashfield, Botany Bay, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury, City of Sydney, Leichhardt, Marrickville, program areas for the Eastern and Inner Randwick, Strathfield, Waverly and Woollahra and this year the Lower North Shore (Crows Nest, West areas of Sydney. SMCS programs Greenwich, Lane Cove, Mosman, North Sydney and Willoughby). include:

Multicultural Home Care Packages (MHCP) North CALD Centre-based Day Care Program West Western (CBDC) Suburbs Northern CALD Community Visitors Scheme (CVS) Beaches

Sydney Multicultural Community Services Settlement Support Program (SSP) (SMCS) is a community based not-for-profit Humanitarian Settlement Services (HSS) organisation specialising in service provision North Shore for culturally and linguistically diverse Migration Agent Western Sydney communities in the Eastern Suburbs, Sydney LGA and the Inner West region. Our Legal Aid Family Law Clinic support services include aged care services, Energy Account Payment Assistance carer support services, settlement and Inner Sydney (EAPA) Scheme migration support services, crisis relief and financial support services. Our funding is Emergency Relief Program South West provided by Commonwealth, State and Local Governments. English Conversation South Sydney During 2015-2016, numerous requests and enquiries from clients were addressed and managed by service staff within our centre, 'SMCS specialises Lower North Shore which in total, covered over 16 languages. in service provision Canada Bay SMCS has provided services worth $2,00,431 Key: across a number of areas, including personal for culturally and Strathfield Leichhardt care, respite care, meals, occupational SMCS Head Office Ashfield Sydney CBD linguistically diverse Burwood therapy, social support, day care, community SMCS Offices development / settlement work, casework communities'. Marrickville Randwick and group work. Member MRCs Canterbury Botany Aged Care Services areas Bay covered by SMCS Rockdale Hurstville Settlement Support Program Kogarah areas covered by SMCS

12 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 13 SMCS Staff Organisational Chart

Sydney Multicultural Community Services 2016 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 7 members Magnolia Szabo (Chairperson) Service Providers/ Rene Marcos Molina (Vice Chairperson) Funding Bodies/ Networks/ Marco Bet (Treasurer) Departments/Client Collaborations/ Alec Alexandrou (Secretary) Groups/Stakeholders Partnerships Yvonne Viney Antonino Calanni Maryam Maghsoodi SSI - MRC (Partnership) Humanitarian CHIEF EXECUTIVE Settlement Services OFFICER Team Leader: Rosa Loria Theresa Desmond WHS Finance Committee Caseworkers : Aged Care Support Committee Abdollah Nezhad Advisory Committee Yeshi Palmo BUSINESS Tenzin Tsomo Recruitment Sub DEVELOPMENT Accountant Committee Ability Linker: MANAGER Daria Marlia Aiyub Torin SSP Support Advisory Arturo Escartin AGED CARE MANAGER Committee SMCS English SSI-SMCS (Partnership) Lecia Wrathall Classes Danuta Rosinski Bookkeeper 2 Volunteer on Settlement Support Program (SSP) Personal Assistant Angela Raco English Teachers Maureen Kelly-Pain Shina Khan

LEGAL AID SETTLEMENT SUPPORT FAMILY LAW MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY VISITORS CALD DISABILITY CLINIC DIVERSIONAL Front Desk/ PROGRAM MIGRATION AGENT HOME CARE SCHEME ACCESS WORKER Solicitors BROKERAGE THERAPIST/DAY Andre Benjamin PACKAGES Coordinator Rigzin Yuthok Administration COORDINATOR/ CARE Assistant Senior Community Alec Alexandrou Case Manager Bianca Pedro Bianca Pedro ROSTERING COORDINATOR Moumita Saha Development Officer Danuta Rosinski Selma Fonseca Liliana Hernandez Lucyna Weglowska- Nazhin Safavi Jessica Pleitez Selma Fonseca Karagiorgou Service for the Treatment IsabelleIsabelle BarciulliBarciulli 25 Bi-lingual Volunteer and Rehabilitation of Visitors Torture and Trauma SSP Caseworker Survivors (STARTTS) 4 Bi--Lingual Administration Rigzin Yuthok Counsellor Assistants Volunteers/Work Administration Bianca Pedro 3 Bus Drivers Experience Students Assistant 1 Chef Nazhin Safavi 41 Clients Rubita Shrestha SSP Bilingual Advance Diversity Services Caseworker -Indonesian Community Cleaner Sadia Sayeed 174 Clients 25 Carers Development Worker

SSP Community Development/ Caseworker Noel Zihabamwe 75 Clients Key: Aged Care Division Settlement Services & Migration Management and Administration Team Additional Services Date: November 2016

14 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 15 Aged Care Services

SMCS Aged Care Services currently assist elderly migrants and refugees from over 17 language and nationality backgrounds. Our diverse services cater to a wide range of needs, with the primary aim to assist clients to meet health and wellbeing goals while living independently at home. Our services assist to reduce isolation experienced by many frail aged Culturally and Linguistically Diverse residents due to language barriers. SMCS strives to maintain high levels of quality and efficiency

in service delivery to our vulnerable CALD communities. IMAGES ABOVE From left to right: Seniors Carnivale, Moumita Saha, Anna Li Poma with a client at the Seniors Carnivale.

Multicultural Home Care FIGURE 1 MHCP clients background Packages (MHCP)

SMCS continues to deliver 75 Multicultural appears to be an exciting and productive Consumer Directed Care Home packages way forward for our ageing programs. We across the South East and Inner West are actively recruiting new CALD workers Sydney regions. Our experienced staff and supporting them to attain Certificate 3 includes a newly appointed Aged care in Aged and Disability care. We are currently Manager, Case manager, Rostering supporting 25 clients in our brokerage coordinator, an administration assistant and program. 25 dedicated and skilled multi/ bi-lingual care workers. MHCP staff speak over 17 Please see graphs on page 17 for SMCS's 2016 languages combined, allowing our service Multicultural Home Care Packages statistics. the ability to cater to residents from diverse CALD backgrounds. Our service specialises in culture and language specific care, and our care worker staff continue to be mentored and up-skilled in order to maintain high standards in quality care service provision.

Access and equity for CALD remains a significant issue in the Home Care sector. We were unsuccessful in our application for more packages in the last ACAR 2015. 18% Key: However we now have agreements with 5 Home Care Brockerage (SMCS) other providers, who broker our bi-lingual staff to deliver care to their clients, this 82% Multicultural Home Care Packages (MHCP)

FIGURE 2 82 % MHCP, 18 % Brockerage

16 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 17 Aged Care Services

Multicultural Centre Community Visitors CALD Case Management Based Day Care Scheme (CVS) for the Aged (CCMA)

SMCS Centre-Based Day Care Program SMCS also has specific CALD Social Support This year, the CALD specific Community The CCMA program was extended part time is funded by the Department of Health groups including Chinese, Spanish, Polish, Visitors Scheme has expanded to cover till June 2016 and assisted persons aged 65 through the Commonwealth Home Support Maltese and Arabic groups. Sydney’s inner western suburbs; we now years and over who are of CALD background Program (CHSP). The service provides social, This important service provides isolated cover a total of 71 suburbs! The CVS and needed help accessing aged care recreational and respite support for senior CALD residents the opportunity to socialise, volunteer network and our connection to services. and frail aged CALD residents in South East make new friends, and visit new places. elders has doubled, and more opportunities Sydney. The activities run by our centre assist them have opened up for group programs to begin The Case Management program included The Day Care groups run from Monday with their emotional, mental and physical in aged care facilities in the inner west. linking individuals with Home Care service to Friday; and includes transport to and wellbeing. For some residents, participation provider, Respite Care, Aged Care Advocacy, from the clients' home, scenic drives on in a group gives them and their partner, The CVS program has formed connections Residential Aged Care, Social Support, the centre's bus, culturally appropriate hot family member or carer the opportunity with tertiary education institutions who Allied Health, Occupational Therapy, Legal lunches, twice monthly outings to parks and for much needed respite for a few hours deliver ‘Transpersonal Art Therapy’ courses Assistance, Crisis Assistance and many other places of interest and recreational during the day. This helps to relieve burden as a means of increasing our scope and more. The service was free of charge and activities designed to meet clients' needs. on families and support networks for these creating sustainable group programs for was available to CALD persons 65 years and This service also caters to the needs of Frail clients and assists them in maintaining the elders who participate. Art therapy has over who reside in the Inner West Sydney and Dementia clients. SMCS continues to healthy independence. been shown to benefit elders with dementia, region. employ a Diversional Therapist, and this and as a group program it bonds CALD addition has served as a great contribution During 2016 over 300 local residents communities within aged care facilities and Unfortunately in SMCS' funding for the CALD to the service; including light exercise, benefited from our senior social and day provides a safe space to explore memories, Case Management for the Aged program signing, reading, aromatherapy and many care groups. to heal, and socialise. was not renewed. Clients were exited from more. the program in June 2016. Please see below for SMCS's 2016 Day Care Program statistics. By providing opportunities for placements in aged care facilities, SMCS is able to create lasting creative group programs that are Key: facilitated by talented and professional 17% bilingual volunteers on a long-term basis. Frail Aged/ The CVS program is now connected with Dementia Clients over 12 NGOs and community organisations Social Support 83% across the south east and inner west Clients of Sydney to achieve an increase in the overall visibility and interest in the CALD 83 % Social Support Clients, 17 % FIGURE 1 specific CVS program. The connection Frail Aged/Dementia clients with community organisations increased opportunities for volunteers to up skill and network with each other through training.

18 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 19 SMCS Settlement Services These services are vital in assisting newly arrived migrants and refugees to successfully settle and begin a new life here in Australia.

Humanitarian Settlement Immigration Advice and Settlement Support Services (HSS) Assistance Program (SSP)

Funded by the Department of Social This service is provided free of charge to Funded through the Department of Social In 2016, SSP programs included: Services (D.S.S), the HSS program assists migrants and refugees in order to provide services (DSS), the Settlement Support Employment workshops, Multicultural humanitarian clients in their early immigration consultation and advice. Our Program (SSP) delivers core settlement women’s group, Bilingual Playgroup, settlement period in Australia. In supporting qualified and experienced Migration Agent, support for Humanitarian entrants and Information sessions, Home work support humanitarian clients to begin their new generously volunteers his time and energy migrants that have arrived in Australia in the and Community kitchen classes. lives, the HSS program focuses on capacity to provide this valuable service. last five years. Through the implementation Employment workshops: building; establishing clients' confidence of community development initiatives and In partnership with Community Migrant and ability to participate economically and case work the program supports people Resource, Sydney MCS facilitated a number socially in the wider Australian community; living in Botany Bay, Randwick, Lower of employment ready workshops across the and equips them with the knowledge and North Shore and City of Sydney LGA and Lower north shore and Northern region of skills they will need to access services in the aims to empower and support new and Sydney. Each workshop was delivered in a future. Support through the HSS is tailored emerging communities in the group areas CALD specific framework that focused on to individual client needs, including the of education, employment and social providing valuable and practical strategies specific needs of young people. Services connection. for refugee and Migrant job seekers, such as are provided through a coordinated case Casework: Includes the provision of building confidence, interview skills, resume management approach under the HSS information, referral and advocacy on writing and transferable qualifications. program and may include on arrival reception areas such as accommodation, housing, and induction; assistance with locating short employment, education, English language Chinese and English Little bilingual term accommodation; information about the classes, financial support, health, playgroup: referral to mainstream agencies and to other counselling, domestic violence, youth and The C&E playgroup aims to meets the needs IMAGE ABOVE SSP Chinese Bilingual Playgroup settlement and community programs; and family support. of newly arrived Chinese grandparents onshore orientation program. Community Development: Includes the and families that due to language barriers implementation of projects that aim to and a lack of community connection The HSS program works with other support and empower newly emerging experience high levels of social isolation. The settlement and mainstream services to community groups in the area of language playgroup provides a welcoming space for assist clients with their settlement needs proficiency, education in the area of grandparents and families where they can beyond the HSS period, including AMEP overseas qualification recognition and connect with each other, practice English who provide English classes to HSS clients employment focused programs. This and interact with their child/grandchild in a who require language tuition. This allows can involve working in partnership with relaxed and educational environment. The clients of Sydney MCS to have a consistent community members and other service Playgroup has been highly successful and point of contact right throughout his or her providers to facilitate information sessions, continues to grow. settlement process. Sydney MCS is proud to workshops, training and community be a provider of Humanitarian Settlement linkages. Services in partnership with Settlement Services International, and we look forward IMAGE ABOVE SSP Employment Ready Workshop to many more years of helping our new arrivals during the critical stage of their settlement in Australia.

20 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 21 Poverty Alleviation Services Other Services

These services assist vulnerable migrants and refugees who are experiencing financial crisis and hardship and continue to play a vital role in the fulfilment our our centre mission.

Emergency Relief Program Energy Account Payment Legal Aid Family Law Early Tax Help (ERP) Assistance (EAPA) Scheme Intervention Unit Tax Help is a community based program which contributes to community confidence in the Funded by the Department of Social Services Our financial assistance programs have This Family Law outreach service is provided by tax system. The program aims to provide (D.S.S), this program assists people in financial continued to grow in 2016. EAPA vouchers Legal Aid NSW in partnership with Settlement assistance and education to low income and crisis to deal with their immediate situation in a were issued to migrants and refugees who Services International and Sydney MCS. The disadvantaged people in genuine need of way that maintains the dignity of the individual were facing a difficult financial situation and clinic runs twice monthly from the SMCS assistance or help. and encourages self reliance. Special emphasis people from non-English speaking backgrounds Daceyville Office and is available to the public is given to financially supporting newly arrived residing in Sydney, Inner City and Eastern free of charge. The Legal Aid Solicitor can assist This service, now in its 27th year of operation, migrants and refugees. suburbs areas, experiencing financial crisis. with a wide range of family law issues including is delivered by a network of 1200 volunteers During 2016 a partnership was established marital problems, separation/ divorce, child in over 800 centres nationally. In 2013, over with Metro MRC (Campsie) and Advance In 2016, Sydney MCS has experienced a custody, family violence, financial (child support 58000 people nationally were assisted; Diversity Services (Rockdale) to deliver services continuous demand for Energy Accounts and property) and Department of Community including people from non-English speaking to a wider area. SMCS continues to cater for Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers. Vouchers Service issues. Interpreters can also be provided and Indigenous backgrounds, those with CALD residents in the Botany Bay, Randwick, are available only via appointment to people for those who need language assistance, and disabilities and young people lodging a return City of Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra Local with a Centrelink Statement of Income and/ or privacy and confidentiality is maintained at all for the first time. Government Areas are able to request an Health Care Card who are in financial crisis. Due times. The clinic has been running successfully appointment for Emergency Relief. In 2016 to the high demand, clients must call the centre at Sydney MCS for over two years now and SMCS assisted 1034 clients through the beforehand to book an appointment, as SMCS feedback from participants has been very Emergency Relief Program. Actual eligibility has only a limited number of vouchers available. positive. is deemed through a financial assessment Sydney MCS is on of 15 centres providing EAPA which is conducted by a caseworker. The vouchers. With the rise in the cost of electricity English Classes financial assessment takes into account proof we have recently experienced, we anticipate the of income, Centrelink benefits, rental expenses, demand for vouchers will continue to increase. Sydney MCS continues to run free outstanding bills and accrues debt, medical conversational English classes at both beginner costs and other relevant factors. Oz Harvest Food Rescue and intermediate level. Classes are held weekly during school terms and are taught by Telstra Bill Assistance Oz Harvest generously delivers food to SMCS enthusiastic volunteers. Our English classes Program Daceyville office every Friday for our most have been running for many years and continue clients to receive a food donation. All clients to help migrants and refugees to develop vital The Telstra Bill Assistance Program is aimed must be assessed to determine eligibility and English language skills. at assisting people who are expecting financial are reassessed by our caseworker periodically difficulty and are having problems paying their to ensure the most needy clients receive Telstra bill. Participating community agencies assistance. This program has been running are able to provide clients with a Telstra Bill successfully since 2012 and in 2016 we have Assistance Certificate of a fixed amount to distributed 574 food packages. We are grateful pay towards their Telstra bill. Telstra funds for the support from Oz Harvest in delivering the program and Sydney MCS has distributed this vital service. vouchers to 20 clients on their behalf in 2016.

22 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 23 2016 SMCS Financial Summary

Contents

Management 25 Committee Report

Income Statement 26

Notes to the Financial 29 Statement Statement by Members 32 of the Committee

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24 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 25 26 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 27 28 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 29 30 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 31 32 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 33 34 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 35 Acknowledgements

Sydney Multicultural Community Services would like to take this opportunity to formally acknowledge and thank service provider networks and stakeholders, whose continual support allows Sydney MCS to meet the needs within the community.

Advanced Diversity Services Human Services Network (HSNet) POW Dementia Unit The Junction Neighbourhood Centre - Maroubra Alzheimers Australia NSW Illawarra Multicultural Services PCYC Eastern Suburbs The Maltese Community Council Amnesty International Australia Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) Polish Welfare Bureau The NSW Spanish & Latin American Association Annabel House Dementia Day Care Centre Inner Sydney Regional Council for Social Rainbow Street Public School for Social Assistance (SLASA) Ashfield Council Development Randwick City Council Multicultural Unit The Prince of Wales – Aged Care Psychiatry Auburn Diversity Services Inner West Council Randwick/Botany (ACAT) The Prince of Wales – Social Work Department Australian Nursing Home Foundation Kensington Public School Randwick Public School The Royal Hospital for Women Bayside Council Kingsford Legal Centre Randwick TAFE The Salvation Army Benevolent Society La Fiamma Newspaper Redfern Legal Centre The University of NSW – School of Social Work Beyond Maturity Blues Legal Aid Commission Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA) Transcultural Aged Care Service (TACS) Bourke Street Public School Leichhardt Municipal Council Resolve FM Transcultural Mental Health Centre Burwood Council Little Bay Coast Centre for Seniors SBS Radio National Network War Memorial Geriatric Flying Squad Camperdown ACAT Liverpool Migrant Resource Centre (LMRC) SESIAHS Waverley Council Catalyst Australia Incorporated Macarthur Diversity Services (MDS) Settlement Council of Australia (SCOA) Waverley/Woollahra ACAT City of Canterbury Council Maroubra Police Settlement Services International (SSI) Welfare Rights Centre Canterbury Community ACAT Mascot Police South East Neighbourhood Centre WDVCAS Care Connect Matraville Public School South Sydney Community Aid/ The Factory Women’s Information National Network Carers NSW Metro Assist STARTTS Woollahra Municipal Council Centrelink – Multicultural Services Mr Michael Daley, MP – State Member for St George TAFE Work Ventures City East Community College AMEP Maroubra Strathfield Municipal Council City of Canada Bay Council MRC Alliance St Vincent de Paul City of Sydney Council Mr Bruce Notley Smith – State Member for St Vincent’s Community Health Co As It Coogee (Dementia Unit) Community Migrant Resource Centre Mr Ron Hoenig - Member for Heffron Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre We extend a sincere Community Relations Commission MTC Work Solutions Swadesh Barta (Bengali Newspaper) Concord Community ACAT Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association Sydney Central Courier thank you and Cultural Perspectives of NSW (MDAA) Sydwest Migrant Resource Centre look forward to Daceyville Public School Multicultural Health Unit NSW (Astrid Perry) TAFE Outreach NSW Eastern Area Multicultural Area Project NAVITAS The Australian Chinese Community continuing our work Eastern Area Tenants Service Northern Settlement Services Association (ACCA) Eastlakes Public School NSW Department of Community Services (DoCS) The Community Relations Commission together in 2017. Ethnic Child Care, Family and Community NSW Department of Health The Deli Womens & Childrens Centre Services Limited NSW Department of Industry The Department of Housing Ethnic Communities Council (Mark Franklin) NSW Fair Trading The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull, MP Families First NSW NSW Institute of Languages, UNSW – Federal Member for Wentworth Gardeners Road Public School NSW Premier’s Department The Hon. Matt Thistlethwaite, MP Health Promotion Service for Older People NSW Refugee Health Service – Federal Member for Kingsford Smith Holdsworth Street Community Centre Office of Industrial Relations The Indonesian Community Council of NSW

36 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 37 Thank you to Oz Harvest for their contributions throughout 2016 in alleviating financial difficulties to the SMCS clients, and thanks to all drivers for their dedication, patience and understanding.

38 ANNUAL REPORT 2016 SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. SYDNEY MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY SERVICES INC. ANNUAL REPORT 2016 39 www.sydneymcs.org.au