Interlink Newsletter November 2007

Interlink Housing & Support Association Incorporated Our Mission

To assist people to move from crisis to stability through access to effective housing & support.

Volume 1, Issue 4

November 2007

Contact Details Phone: (07) 3808 2206

We would like to ask for your support! Our partnership with the Burundi Association would benefit greatly from community stakeholders who have access to the following:

Fax: (07) 3808 7164 E-mail: [email protected] Web Address: www.interlink.org.au Office Address: 8/94 Wembley Road Woodridge Qld. 4114 Postal Address: P.O. Box 33 Woodridge Qld. 4114

• • • •

Donations of funds Any excess equipment Volunteers who can assist with training the Community Workers Information or resources that will assist the Burundi Association grow. If you can assist in any way please contact [email protected]

Newsletter Contents •

Interlink’s AGM

•

Burundi Association Partnership

•

Pathways Project Official Launch

•

Management & Staff Information

Our Partnership with the Association of Burundian Community Qld. Inc. (ABCQ) Interlink Housing & Support and the Association of Burundi Community Qld Inc. have come together in a partnership that provides their association with the resources to employ, train and mentor two Community Capacity Workers. The goal of both organisations is to grow the associations ability to provide services, activities and referrals for their own community members in order to assist their resettlement, along with working to develop their capacity to become a self sufficient, sustainable organsiation. This initiative came from various community meetings and feedback from existing service providers within the region as well as the Management Committee of the Burundi Association. The two Community Workers Patrice & Josephine each have a work roster that includes 20 hours paid per week and have commenced their roles by undertaking training to learn new skills, created their own business cards, the first of their monthly newsletters and worked along side community members to develop their organisation new website. The workers roles will grow to include providing general community member support such as increasing the capacity of members of it’s community to access service providers, raise cultural awareness, creating and managing their associations activities such as social outings, community events and applying for funding. Both associations have applied in partnership for several funding programs in an effort to increase the ability of the partnerships resources to ensure that these activities are ongoing. Interlink is particularly happy to become involved in partnerships with emerging communities such as this so that we may be able to more effectively support their housing needs.

Desley Scott, MP officially launching the “Pathways to Create Housing Opportunities” Project with Graham Able, Mayor of Logan looking on.

Community Worker Contact Details Phone: 3808 2206 Patrice—[email protected] Josephine—[email protected] Web: www.geocities.com/burundiqld/

Interlink Housing & Support is currently not funded to provide services around emergency housing.

Housing Pathways Project Launch & Our 2006—2007 AGM Events Interlink officially launched the “Pathways to Create Housing Opportunities” project on Thursday 25th October. A wide range of community stakeholders came along to share in the event. Barry Watson the Manager of the Murri & Torres Strait Islander Network Inc. was the key community speaker, with a focus on the needs of local indigenous community regarding housing. The Mayor Graham Able started proceedings with the welcome and Desley Scott. MP for Woodridge represented the Minister to officially launch the project. The launch highlighted the projects achievements since commencing in mid April 2007.

Where We Are Located

We are here

Interlin k

Office Hours Monday to Friday—9.00am to 5.00pm

Our 2006—2007 Annual General Meeting was also held on the 25th October with a range of community stakeholders attending to celebrate the achievements of the previous 12 months and to elect a new Management Committee that will lead us during the transition phase of becoming an affordable housing company. Mr. Mike Myers, the Executive Director of the Queensland Community Housing Coalition was our guest speaker at this years event. Mike raised some timely issues and information with regards to the growing need of affordable housing, both rental and ownership as well as practical solutions to this need.

Management & Staff Management Committee

Our Values

Staff

To be client focused, sensitive to client needs and achieving 2007—2008 the best outcomes for individuals Manager: Jenny Schultz President: Brett Davies To apply social justice principles, including respect, dignity Senior Youth Worker: Jenni Fawcett and equity to all people. Youth Worker: Krystal Telford Vice President: Anne Garrett Letting Officer: Joan Maguire Flexibility to maximise our ability to respond to the needs of Housing Worker: Natasha Burns clients and the community Treasurer: Sid Pauga Property Worker : Nicky Smith Financial Administrator: Sylvia Vallender Secretary: Timothy Stanko Mental Health Housing Worker: Fleur Sheppard Multicultural Housing Worker: Jeremi Heri Committee Member: Peter Attwood Housing Operations Manager: Anne Siakasini Reception Admin: Cassie Marshall & Peter Kloeckl Committee Member: Malcolm Reid Housing Pathways Worker: Lauren Richards Community Development Worker: David Browning Committee Member: John Larme

Linking Communities through Housing & Support”

www.interlink.org.au

Committee Member: Venantie Niragira

Our Goal “To respond to the needs of local residents in obtaining and maintaining stable housing”