AMES AUSTRALIA COMMUNITY GUIDES PROGRAM 27 SEPTEMBER 2016 HILARY BUCUMI Community Guide Volunteer Administrator

Community Guides Program

Community Guides Program

Community Guides Program Who are they? Are 18 years or older Trained AMES Australia staff, employed on casual basis and working flexible hours Bilingual and multilingual workers from the same backgrounds as our Refugee and Special Humanitarian Program clients Are respected within their relevant community Have a good command of English language Have shared the refugee experience Are familiar with the services, systems and cultures in Australia

Community Guides Program The role of Community Guides Work with Case Managers to support refugee clients Provide support in first language Undertake practical implementation tasks in initial settlement such as:

Community Guides Program The role of Community Guides Accompany clients to register with key service agencies. Accompany clients to appointments. Assist families to access other vital services.

Community Guides Program The role of Community Guides Assist new clients to access key information Assist clients to understand and use public transport Connect clients to community groups

Community Guides Program About the program The program was initiated by AMES Australia in 2005 with two main objectives: 1. Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate support service to newly-arrived refugees during their first six months of arrival in Victoria 2. Provide capacity building and employment pathways for Community Guides

Community Guides Program About the program The program started with no more than 44 Community Guides. To date, more than 1500 Community Guides from 34 countries, speaking about 72 languages and dialects, have been trained and are currently working in different programs Currently there are approximately 150 active Community Guides working in the three different regions (North East, Central West and South and Gippsland). As part of the Community Guides program, experienced Community Guides are up-skilled to work in different roles at AMES Australia:

Community Guides Program About the program Case Manager Support Workers Client Support Workers Settlement Information Officers Employment Information Officers Welcome Community Guides Youth Refugee Support Workers Housing officers Others get special training to work with complex cases as well as in the Community Detention program

Community Guides Program Training Opportunities After a few years in the job, a group of Community Guides were assessed by Kangan TAFE through their Recognition of Prior Learning program. Of these, 130 Community Guides have graduated with Certificate III in Community Services. This has opened the door to more opportunities in Certificate IV and Diploma in Community Services.

Community Guides Program Graduation ceremony

Community Guides Program Employment Pathways A significant number has been able to secure full time employment with various agencies as: Interpreters Bilingual teacher aides Employment consultants Counsellors Administration and customer service Retail and hospitality Community welfare, health and youth workers

Community Guides Program Conclusion The Community Guides Program is a unique program and has been highly commended by clients and other stakeholders. It has been commended internationally by the UNHCR as one of the best initiatives in providing resettlement services, with many resettlement countries including Sweden, New Zealand, Japan and Argentina adopting the system. In February 2012 Australia hosted the international Working Group on Resettlement in Melbourne which was attended by 92 resettlement countries. Community Guides featured significantly in the practical engagement and representation of the Diaspora.

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