CSL Behring Broadmeadows, a manufacturing site near Melbourne, Australia, has awarded a $25,000 community grant to Victorian Arabic Social Services (VASS), which helps people access social services and find employment. Employees at Broadmeadows voted to select VASS as this year’s grant recipient.
The organization’s “Working Together” program for recent migrants and arrivals on humanitarian visas will provide skill-building workshops. Participants will learn how to write resumes, use job search tools, gain interview skills and adapt to the work environment. One-on-one mentoring sessions will offer individual support, too.
VASS CEO , Leila Alloush said the grant was particularly appreciated following more than two years of disruptions due to COVID-19.
"Through our community support work, we have seen first-hand the difficulties faced by migrant members and service users," she said. "Thanks to this grant from CSL Behring, VASS will be able to provide a bespoke program to provide social worker support alongside assisting pathways into education and employment – helping local young people on their next steps in life beyond COVID-19.”
VASS, which operates a drop-in center, serves as a link between socially-marginalized Broadmeadows community members and local schools, not-for-profits, government services and businesses. Through the center, visitors can get access to social services, aged care, mental health counseling, financial counseling and more. Introduced in 2014, the CSL Behring Broadmeadows Community Grant supports local community projects that make a difference in the areas of education and training, employment and early childhood and families.
