Federal funding supports Albany’s migrants

RAINBOW Coast Neighbourhood Centre has received a $864,000 Federal Government grant to support newly arrived migrants and refugees in the Great Southern.

Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson welcomed the funding, which he said would have a positive impact on communities in the Great Southern.

 

“People settling in regional areas have a lot to contribute to our society. We want to give them every opportunity to succeed and be part of a stable, prosperous economy and contribute to their community by helping to reduce some of the barriers they may face,” Mr Wilson said.

 

Federal Minister for Social Services the Hon Paul Fletcher MP announced $163.4 million in Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) grants this week – funding which will assist newly arrived migrants and refugees to form a stronger connection with their new communities in their first five years in Australia.

 

SETS replaces the Settlement Grants program which had been in place for more than 10 years and fills an important gap in the post-arrival period for eligible migrants who do not have family and community support to rely on.

 

The grants fund activities that are focused on families and individuals and increase community capacity.  Services include assisting with English language skills, building employment readiness and encouraging homework for school students.

 

“Australia is well-known for its ethnically diverse communities, it is important to Australians that our newly arrived migrants have a strong connection and sense of belonging,” Mr Wilson said.

 

“Lowering barriers to being involved in communities builds wellbeing, safety and prosperity – these are things that enrich the whole country.”

 

Rainbow Coast Neighbourhood Centre is a non-profit organisation based in Albany that is committed to enriching the lives of individuals and families in the Great Southern, running family support programs, social programs, community garden and migrant services.