S t Vincent de P aul Society A ssisting R efugee K ids

1. St Vincent de Paul Society Assisting Refugee Kids An ecological approach to refugee children’s settlement ACWA Conference 18th August 2008 Jarrah Hoffmann-Ekstein & Clare Thompson

2. NSW Migrant & Refugee Committee Programs around NSW SPARK operates in Western Sydney Jarrah Hoffmann-Ekstein Chair, Steering Committee Involved in initial research and development Clare Thompson SPARK Coordinator Introductions

3. Began October 2006 5 Primary Schools in Sydney’s West with significant numbers of African students Funded by Vinnies and Department of Immigration and Citizenship Over 100 children and over 100 volunteers involved Program

4. Program • Supports teams of skilled volunteers to: • Provide social, cultural and curriculum support to refugee children and their families • Raise mainstream community awareness about refugees • Create opportunities for mutual appreciation and respect to grow

5. IHSS: insight into early settlement through service delivery, and survey of Sudanese arrivals Concerns: Short initial settlement assistance Gaps in proposer support program Lack of holistic approach, and primary school aged children entering school without benefit of IECs Context

6. Vinnies is a volunteer organisation Strong links to NGOs working in refugee settlement and Sudanese community Discussions with community members, schools, service providers, youth workers, education officials SPARK born! Genesis

7. Theoretical underpinnings • Ecological approach to children’s settlement: • Child located in context of self, family, peers, school, community • Holistic approach

8. Theoretical underpinnings • Building community cohesion: • Social capital as a buffer against social and economic exclusion • Connect families with other families, teachers, community • Establish networks of trust, reciprocity, exchange

9. A Day at SPARK Children: after school activities building academic, artistic and social skills, special project every term Family: parents and carers attend informal social and support group, community information days Younger siblings: play and learn in the school setting School: awareness raising activities for all students, involvement of teachers Community: volunteers

10. Refugee Week Art Project‘A Place to Call Home’

11. Challenges • Connecting with parents and refugee communities • Support from school and staff for program • Volunteer engagement • Links to mainstream community

12. Adapting and responding • Parents’ information forum • Older siblings attending • Children guiding direction of program • Mentoring and leadership opportunities for parents and volunteers from refugee backgrounds

13. Wider Impact Awareness raising in schools: teachers, principals Support from education departments DIAC recognising need for children’s programs

14. Future • Increase number of schools and move into regional areas- wider • Develop stronger programs – deeper • Increase capacity building and community engagement • Evaluation • Holistic settlement support for all refugee children

15. spark@vinnies.org.au