What We Do
The programs of Aboriginal Catholic Services (ACS) ensure justice and equality for Aboriginal People. ACS supports ATSI people in this area through various comprehensive, and culturally appropriate programs designed to help contribute to their social well-being and attainment of self-sufficiency.
ACS Team Members:
Organise Welcome to Country and Cultural Performances for school/community events;
Provide social justice, cultural awareness and educational talks for school students and community;
Provide support and advocacy eg, DoCS Courts, Housing, Centrelink etc.
Visit prisons, homes and hospitals;
Are involved in Circle Sentencing Court (two Members);
Develop leadership and organisational skills through participation in comprehensive training workshops.
Other programs run by ACS Team Members include:
HOUSING AND EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT
The services provided in this area include liaising with the Housing Department on behalf of Aboriginal applicants, attending appointments with them, and assisting with relocation when accommodation becomes available.
ACS also provides this assistance to female Aboriginals on their release from the Bolwarra Transitional Centre, especially those who lack family support, through liaison with the Correctional Centre Aboriginal Liaison Officer and the appropriate social agencies.
PARTNERSHIPS
ACS is constantly strengthening its presence in Western Sydney and has partnerships with various bodies in the area. This enables ACSS to expand its level of service delivery tot he Aboriginal community through referrals to these agencies, where appropriate.Current partnerships include:
Penrith Women's Health Centre.
The Men's Shed.
Carers NSW Indigenous Program.
South West Sydney Area Health.
In addition, ACS works with representatives of Non-Government organisations and Government Departments who are able to provide information, advice and support on particular issues.
ACS also runs a number of unique services, covering art therapy workshops (to help participants deal with family and domestic violence), prison outreach, housing and employment support and Kinship Carers.
Young People's SkillsACSS provides programs to help young men address leadership and anger management issues, including:
- Aiming to conduct annual Drug and Alcohol Education and Cultural Camp Program/Youth Yarn-Up Program
- Connecting young people with Elders building cultural identity, spirituality and respect
- Conducting a Youth Dance and Cultural Program
- Providing Aboriginal students with computer facilities for research work
Connecting through Art Program – Art and Yarning and HealingIn response to individual approach and referrals from agencies operating in Western Sydney, a program has been designed to help the Aboriginal community deal with family violence issues.
There are no similar culturally appropriate programs available in the Penrith community. The program is based on the Walanmarra Aboriginal Women Creative Healing Manual which was developed by ACSS in conjunction with the Penrith Women’s Health Centre. The manual takes participants through an eight-week program which looks at the issues through a creative therapy model utilising art therapy, music and poetry.
Reprints of this Manual will be available from ACSS depending on funding.
Prison OutreachServices are available to young Aboriginal women inmates at Bolwarra, Dilwynia and Emu PlainsCorrectional Centres. Services comprise of:
- Counselling (Domestic violence, anger management and depression).
These services are available, on request, to Aboriginal inmates at the abovementioned correctional centres.
These programs provide an opportunity for young indigenous and non-indigenous women at Bolwarra Transitional Centre to work with elders and Aboriginal artists to learn new art and craft skills; work together and help break down cultural barriers; build the esteem and confidence of inmates through pride in cultural identity; provide and setup a community resource network and to provide a therapeutic outlet for repressed feelings of alienation.
All these factors assist in the healing process.
Delivery of the program is coordinated by respected community elders who have exhibited their artwork and hold credentials in all aspects of the program’s services and who are able to relate to the inmates on all levels.
Housing & Employment SupportThe services provided in this area include liaising with the Housing Department on behalf of Aboriginal applicants, attending appointments with them, and assisting with relocation when accommodation becomes available.
ACSS also provides this assistance to female Aboriginals on their release from the Bolwarra Transitional Centre, especially those who lack family support, through liaison with the Correctional Centre Aboriginal Liaison Officer and the appropriate social agencies.
Grandparents and Kinship GroupACSS has held consultation with members of the local community and service providers interested in forming an Aboriginal Grandparents Association for grandparents looking after grandchildren.
In attendance at its first meeting were service providers from Local Council, Link-Up at Lawson, PATSI, Penrith Uniting Care, Springwood Carers, Community Health and local grandparent carers as well as some carers from the ACM at Minto. It was decided to work in partnership with the Council on the Ageing to hold a forum of Aboriginal carers from Western Sydney. Several meetings to this end have been held to date.