BLOG

CORE Team with Chris Bowen MP and Dr David Saliba MP aCORE Team with The Hon Chris Bowen MP, Minister for Climate Change and Energy and Dr David Saliba MP, at the official SETS contract announcement.t the official SETS contract announcement.

CORE Community Services is excited to announce it has secured the Federal Government’s Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) contract, following a competitive tender process. This is a significant milestone for CORE, highlighting the organisation’s expertise in supporting newly arrived refuge and migrant communities and ensuring the best possible outcomes for them across all aspects of community life.

“We are pleased to announce that CORE has received continued funding for the delivery of Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program from Department of Home Affairs. This program provides lifeline support and services to newly arrived refugees, migrants and humanitarian entrants in Fairfield LGA,” said Juana Reinoso, the Chief Executive Officer of CORE. “Securing this contract is testament to our strong community ties and extensive experience in settlement services. With Fairfield LGA receiving the highest number of new arrivals in the country, we are committed to providing the resources and support necessary for a smooth transition.”

With over 40 years of experience, CORE is one of the leading settlement service providers in the Fairfield LGA. Additional funding and resources from the SETS program will enable the organisation to recruit more trained staff, increasing CORE’s capacity and ability to deliver tailored services to meet the diverse needs of new migrants and refugees.

“Settling into a new country can be extremely difficult, especially when the people, culture and language are all new. Our skilled staff, many of whom are from migrant backgrounds themselves, understand the unique challenges new arrivals face. Our staff are passionate about making sure clients feel welcome and supported at every stage of their journey, connecting them in with the right services and support to reach their full potential,” Juana said.

The SETS program focuses on supporting new arrivals by providing essential services, such as case work, employment and training support, social support, community development and capacity building and youth work, that address their unique needs during the critical post-arrival period. CORE will expand its team to increase support for newly arrived communities, strengthening social participation and community connectedness and improving overall economic and personal wellbeing.

CORE’s long-standing commitment to community service is evident in its history and the trust it has earned from both the government and the community. The organisation remains dedicated to creating a positive experience and a supportive environment for all new Australians.

CORE Community Services Ltd is a not for profit organisation operating in South West Sydney since 1979. We run a wide range of activities, and programs across our key services; Children’s Services, Youth Services, Multicultural Communities, Aged and Disability Care and Community Hubs with a focus on Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities and vulnerable communities.

By Tamar Pilobisian

Adapting to a new culture and learning a new language is a struggle that almost all migrants experience, including myself. Like a newborn, you must start from the beginning and learn how to speak, walk, act, and fit in. At the same time, you are also expected to keep your culture and traditions alive and meet your parents’ expectations. It takes time, effort, and an open mindset to achieve that. It also requires support from people around you to learn the basics, such as how to use buses and trains, withdraw money, apply for school and apply for Centrelink services.

Moving from Syria to Australia five years ago was a massive change for me and my small family. This movement required us to adapt to a new lifestyle quickly. While we were very excited to live in a safe country full of opportunities, fear of the unknown was always present. We settled in Fairfield, an area dominated mainly by migrants from the Middle East who spoke our language and have a similar cultural identity to ours. This made it a bit easier for my parents to feel welcome. However, being unfamiliar with the Australian lifestyle and not speaking the language made it very difficult for us to access essential services and information, find a job, establish new connections, join new communities, reconnect with families and networks, and apply for primary documents. We realised that we needed to learn to survive in this country and build a future, but we were unsure who to ask and where to get this type of support from.

During my first school break, a neighbour approached me and said in Arabic, “CORE has many free activities for young people like you; you should join,” and handed me a flyer. I brought out my phone, went to Google, typed “translate,” and scanned the photo to understand what the flyer was advertising. It listed several activities such as a drawing workshop, swimming lessons, and a visit to the Australian Museum in the city, among others. I got so excited, and through some help from Fairfield residents, I learned how to get to the CORE office in Fairfield.

Everyone at CORE was so welcoming and understanding, and some were migrants themselves. Speaking my language and having similar experiences to mine made me feel safe and comfortable. I felt comfortable enough to ask what other services CORE provides. I was shown a comprehensive list, including youth services, aged care services, NDIS, preschool programs, and community hubs. My family accessed NDIS and youth services, which were particularly beneficial. Youth services allowed me to get to know new people and form new friendships and connections – during one of the most important stages of my life, my teenage years!

CORE became my sanctuary, where I could speak my mind, seek advice and find the support I needed.

Currently, I am a volunteer at CORE in the Marketing and Communication Department. I am excited about contributing to an organisation that has helped me at one of my most challenging times.

Media Contact:

Lotus Lopez
media@corecs.org.au

On 20 May, CORE Community Services hosted the first Roundtable discussion with Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda and several other community organisations to address the urgent needs of Miller, one of the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas in Australia.  

The roundtable provided a critical platform for stakeholders to directly address Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyanda about the significant socio-economic challenges facing Miller residents, exacerbated by rising cost-of-living pressures. Although there have been efforts to improve Miller’s social and economic conditions in the past, these initiatives were disrupted by COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdowns.   Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyana emphasised the need for collaboration between participating organisations to drive substantial improvements to Miller. 

“We are here today to work together to improve Miller…to be able to pull funding and support and use them correctly,” said Member for Liverpool, Charishma Kaliyanda.  

Representatives from CORE Community Services, the Southwestern Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool City Council, NSW Police Force, Uniting, St George Community Housing (SGCH), Crimson Community Care, Homes NSW, and St Marks Sadleir highlighted several critical issues facing Miller residents.  

These include a lack of police presence, fear of gangs, insufficient resources, drug use, food insecurity, lack of youth activities, domestic violence, lack of infrastructure investment, and a decline in mental health and overall well-being. 

Due to the intersectional nature of these issues, several potential collaborations were discussed. NSW Homes and NSW Police discussed working together to install security cameras and improve lighting in Miller streets for increased safety. Additionally, CORE Community Services and NSW Police expressed interest in collaborating with Liverpool Council on the Miller Social Infrastructure Masterplan.   

While the meeting raised many significant issues, participants emphasised the need for increased collaboration among government, community organisations and service providers – mental health experts, NDIA, Drugs and Alcohol District, and Aged Care – to ensure improved living conditions in Miller for everyone.

The 2168 Roundtable will continue for 12 months, with stakeholders meeting bimonthly. In the meantime, organisations will work both individually and collectively to address the needs of the Miller community.

-ENDS-

Media Contact:

Tamar Pilobisian  

media@corecs.org.au 

The value of permanent migration and the importance of harnessing overseas skills and qualifications within the local community should now be at the forefront of Australia’s migration system, following the release today of the federal government’s Migration Strategy.

CORE Community Services welcomes the government’s initiative in overhauling the migration system which had become exceedingly complex through multiple visa classes and difficult pathways for prospective new arrivals.

The Chief Executive Officer of CORE, Juana Reinoso, has welcomed the focus on attracting people with the right skills to contribute to the community and the economy.

“Australia has an outstanding record of achievement in attracting and settling people from around the world, and it is important that we do everything possible to give new arrivals the best chance of connecting with communities and jobs.

“The Strategy provides a strong framework to build better pathways for migrants and improved social connections with communities and services in Australia,” she said.

CORE Community Services is one of the largest settlement service providers in the Fairfield LGA in New South Wales which takes in the largest proportion of new arrivals in Australia.

One of the key obstacles for many arrivals has been the daunting process of recognition of overseas skills and qualifications.

Ms Reinoso said that while the new focus on skilled migration is welcome, many current migrants continue to face real barriers to employment because the process of skills recognition is slow and cumbersome.

“Many migrants are not able to gain recognition for their qualifications and end up working in low skilled jobs or in positions well below their ability,” Ms Reinoso said.

She said much more needs to be done to remove barriers to mutual recognition of skills across the states and territories, as well as from some industry bodies and professional associations which have onerous and costly assessment processes. 

“There continues to be many migrants who have worked as engineers, doctors and IT professionals in their home countries but who are forced to work in jobs well below their ability, or who have simply given up on the process of overseas skills recognition.”

CORE has identified approximately 30 per cent of refugees and migrants with transferrable skills acquired in their country of origin who, due to tedious and costly processes, find it difficult to work independently in Australia.

CORE also welcomes the focus of the Strategy on permanent residency as a key feature of the migration system, something that was identified in the Parkinson Review of the migration system.

CORE works regularly with many people who have been left in a state of limbo, unable to gain citizenship because of a mix of administrative complexity and inflexible rules. 

One of the key priorities must be getting people off temporary visa status and on to a more permanent footing where they can contribute and enjoy the benefits of citizenship.

“We want people to realise the mutual benefits that accrue through permanence and citizenship, not be left stranded in temporary migration,” Ms Reinoso said. 

CORE looks forward to working with the Commonwealth and State governments to assist the thousands of new arrivals who will settle in South-West Sydney over the coming years, as well as those already here.

While there are wonderful stories of success, many also struggle to access basic services such as housing, healthcare, childcare and education.

CORE applauds the work of Ministers Clare O’Neil and Andrew Giles and the Department of Home Affairs in working to revamp the migration system.

CORE believes that a streamlined migration system can play a larger role in Australia’s economic and social development, especially in a climate where Australia is competing with other advanced economies to attracting overseas talent and capital.

-ENDS-

Media Contact:

Jenny Liem
0427 864 445
media@corecs.org.au

CORE Community Services expresses its deep condolences to the families and communities affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey. Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy, and we stand in solidarity with the people of both countries as they work to recover from the disaster. We understand that many in Australia’s Syrian and Turkish communities are fearful for their loved ones and are already donating to charities in the area.

CORE Community Services, Multicultural Communities located at level 1, 39-41 Harris Street will be relocating to CORE Community Services, 32-36 Harris Street, Fairfield (across the road).

The move will take place between 17th January 2023 – 20th January. During this time services will be temporarily limited, we apologise for this inconvenience.

We will officially start operating from 32-36 Harris Street, Fairfield NSW 2165 from 23rd January 2023.

We appreciate your understanding.