The MRCSA works closely with the leadership and key representatives of its client communities, including women and young people, to support them in acquiring the knowledge and skills that they need to further their independence and self determination, as well as their capacity to assist their members with their settlement and participation through:

Ethnic Leaders Forums
Regular forums are conducted by the MRCSA with leaders and key representatives of new and emerging communities. These have both an informative and a consultative focus as they provide community members with information covering a broad range of settlement topics, and also allow them to raise any issues or concerns in relation to the settlement and participation of their communities. Meetings are also held with individual community groups to assist them with their specific needs and concerns.

Adult Migrant Education
English classes for men and women are conducted centrally at the MRCSA Community Centre in Coglin Street and other MRC locations. All sessions are conducted by qualified ESL teachers and settlement, citizenship, health and employment information are integrated into the curriculum. This service also aims to add value to the AMEP English classes for new arrivals and to ensure that any participants not attending AMEP classes due to childcare or other considerations are supported and referred back to this service.

Community Management & Leadership Training
Regular workshops and training sessions are conducted by the MRCSA for new and emerging communities to develop their capacity to manage their affairs and develop programs and activities for their members. These include:
Funding workshops – applying, managing and acquitting government grants.
Management training and advice – developing a constitution, becoming incorporated, financial management and accountability, ethical and legal aspects of management, developing linkages with the mainstream.
Leadership Training – particular targets women and young people and aims to develop the knowledge and confidence of participants in order to further their settlement aspirations, support them to become more active as leaders and decision makers within their ethnic communities, and develop their capacity to advocate on behalf of their members and peers.

Community Cultural Development
The MRCSA Community Cultural Development Program through MRC Arts supports new and emerging communities to engage in the arts through the development of their cultural initiatives. Music, song, dance and craft events are supported through workshops, developmental activities and creative expression. Communities are also assisted to link with mainstream arts organisations, venues and events so that they can develop their capacity to further their own training, skills development and cultural activity. MRC Arts works closely with Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Australian Folk Federation and regional festivals in supporting the cultural participation of new and emerging artists and communities. For more information on activiites contact the MRC Arts co-ordinator on (08) 8217 9510

Local Government Reference Group
Convened by the MRCSA is a forum for positive engagement between new refugee and migrant settlement groups and local government agencies. The MRCSA works closely with local government councils, (eg Salisbury, Playford, Tea Tree Gully, Marion, Onkaparinga, West Torrens, Port Adelaide Enfield, Charles Sturt, Campbelltown) to further good community development practice and to link new settlers into their local physical and social environment.

 

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