Applications from organisations for grants to help culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) individuals from areas throughout Victoria, including suburbs such as Narre Warren, close at the end of this month.
The small grants program, conducted by the State Government, has been introduced to fund projects that help to locate CALD seniors living in isolation and assist them in connecting with new or existing activities and support networks.
The grants cater for two categories with the first offering up to $4,000 for multicultural or ethnic seniors’ groups based in Melbourne, or up to $5,000 for groups based in regional areas.
The second category is open to organisations that wish to apply for up to $10,000 to implement more complex projects.
The City of Wodonga and the BUDEE Project have previously benefitted from similar grants. In an effort to address the issue of isolation, the council used the grant as part of its Settlement Assistance program. This worked closely with the Bhutanese community, which now totals over 600, to help them settle into their new environment.
The program helped participating volunteers and family members to build stronger social networks and assist Bhutanese seniors to take part in community events and activities.
Campaigns like flyer printing can often help local migrant community groups to settle in to an area and extoll the location’s virtues.
