Auburn Diversity Services Inc. is a community based NGO which is managed by members of the local community who represent various language and cultural groups. ADSi is funded by various government and non-government bodies which designs and delivers services that aim to help migrants, humanitarian entrants and refugees who have settled in Central West Sydney to become self-reliant in the shortest possible time and resource those individuals and groups to become valued and active community members.

ADSi employs a team of staff from a diverse range of cultural and linguistic backgrounds reflecting the communities we serve. They are structured in various teams including Community Capacity Building, Families NSW & Youth Services.

Delivery of services is provided free of charge and, in most cases, in appropriate community languages.



Language Spokes in ADSi– January 2010

Amharic – Aynalem

Arabic –  Bernadette, Dalia, Issam, James, Monica, Salwa

Burmese/ Karen – Elizabeth, Eh Paw

Chinese/Mandarin – Justin

Catalan – Elena

Dari – Ahmad, Ahlam

Dinka – James, Monica

Farsi – Ahlam, Ahmad

French – Elena

Gujarati  – Sher Banu

Hindi – Ahlam, Niv

Italian – Elena

Krio – Beatrice, Edward, Michael 

Mande – Edward

 Persian  – Ahmad

 Punjabi – Niv

 Sinhalese – Himali

 Spanish – Elena

 Tamil – Malathy, Sherbanu, Charles

Telugu – Charles

 Turkish – Cigdem

Urdu – Ahlam, Sher Banu, Wahida 


Direct Services

General information is provided in relevant community languages on issues such as immigration, housing, employment, material assistance, income support, education, health, English Classes & other settlement information.

Referral to specific and specialised services is also made to various service providers.

Individual and Family Caseworker are available at ADSi to provide services in various community languages (see language/culture list or refer to website). We also provide on-site specialized services by professional consultants, such as Financial and other advice. Please contact the centre to make an appointment.


Quality Service Delivery through:

+ Direct settlement information & assistance through “Case Work” including outreaching from The Hills Holroyd Parramatta MRC,Granville Multicultural Community Centre, Anglicare & Australian Somali Community  Assoc + Low cost use of facilities including, photocopy and fax
+ Low cost computer facilities including internet, word processing, spreadsheet, database, internet and printing software. 
+ Free Financial Counselling
+ Providing EAPA, Telstra & Sydney Water  vouchers
+ Use of Meeting Rooms after hours and on weekends
+ Library Facilities
+ Free Conversational English classes

Community Capacity

+ Community development projects
+ Housing access project for women refugee women
+ Community Harmony Garden partnership with Auburn Council
+ Community Leaderships project for small and emerging communities

Educational and community empowerment Activities:

+ Free Homework help classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Free First Aid classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Free conversational English classes (linking with TAFE outreach)
+ Sewing Classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Family Day Care classes (linking with TAFE)
+ Organising Parenting Skills courses


Infrastructure and access for communities:

+ Provision of facilities and rooms 7 days a week

+ Auspicing grants for smaller and emerging communities

Sensitising community and service providers

+ Facilitation of timely and appropriate information sessions for communities to develop skills, knowledge and empowerment
+ Input into Government policies (Local – State – Federal)
+ Community Consultations (eg. Somali, Ethiopian consultations , Refugee Youth Consultation)
+ Taking active part to organise the Refugee week celebrations
+ Taking active part to organise International Women’s Day.
+ Organising International Children’s Day




SERVICE PRINCIPLES


Auburn Diversity Services Inc. is committed to ensuring that services provided are of the highest quality and maintain a focus on client needs. ADSi endorses the following principles, which must guide the provision of quality programs & services:

1. Newly arrived migrants must have equal opportunity to realise their full potential and must have access to appropriate programs and services;

2. Every person should be able to maintain his or her culture without prejudice or disadvantages and should be encouraged to understand and embrace other cultures;

3. Needs of migrants should, in general, be met by programs and services available to the whole community but special services and programs may be necessary to ensure equality of access and provision; and

4. Services and programs should be designed and operated in full consultation with clients, and self-help should be encouraged as much as possible with a view to helping migrants to become self-reliant quickly.