PATHWAYS TO EMPLOYMENT GRANTS PROGRAM 2024
Supporting prosperous, connected and cohesive communities in Melbourne's inner north since 2007
A note from IntoWork CEO
Poul
Bottern
Since founding the Inner North Community Foundation in 2007, IntoWork Australia is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for the people of Melbourne’s inner north. We continue to work with the Darebin, Merri-bek, and Yarra City Councils through our 30year partnership to support local community organisations.
This year’s Pathways to Employment Grants program is set to provide significant support to local projects. The program will distribute $200,000 through ten different organisations adept at offering specialised support to groups facing challenges on their path to employment.
Moreover, the Foundation hosts a Pathways to Employment Grantee Roundtable to foster stronger networks among community organisations, enhancing collaborative efforts and shared learning.
The Community Advisory Panel plays a crucial role in guiding the Foundation’s efforts, ensuring our initiatives are well-aligned with the needs of the community. This panel’s insights and oversight have been instrumental
in directing support to where it is most needed, particularly among marginalised groups. These efforts are vital in creating equitable opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for all community members.
I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Foundation Chair Carolyn Phiddian, Executive Officer Ben Rodgers and all those working with the Foundation to remove barriers to meaningful employment. Your commitment to making a difference is truly inspiring.
Additionally, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has contributed to the Foundation, both financially or by volunteering their time and skills. Your support makes all this possible, and together, we are making significant strides towards creating Vibrant Futures for all in Melbourne’s inner north.
Thank you for supporting the Foundation to support your local community.
Poul Bottern Group CEO IntoWork Australia
Foreword from Foundation Chair Carolyn Phiddian
Since 2007, the Inner North Community Foundation has been supporting local community organisations with the capacity to make a real difference in the lives of people in the Inner North seeking employment.
In partnership with IntoWork, the Cities of Darebin, Yarra and Merri-bek, this program works to support community members on their journey to work engaged with trusted organisations with deep links to the community. Thank you once again to IntoWork which, under the leadership of Poul and the IntoWork Board, continues to be a leading provider of employment, skills, education and support services for jobseekers in Australia.
In this booklet, you can read about the organisations which were recommended for funding by our Community Advisory Panel. The panel looks closely at applications to ensure funding is spread across the best mix of sustainable and impactful organisations. Thank you to Foundation Directors, Jo Barraket and Phillipa Day, and community members, Carol Pestinger, Cassimah Hodgman, Jane
Edwards, Oznur Demirhan, Nick Davis and Tiger-Rose Te Rinni.
Four organisations will receive single year funding ($20,000) and two organisations three years of funding ($20,000 each year). The remaining four organisations are in either their second or third year of previously announced multi-year funding.
We thank and acknowledge the important work of all the community sector organisations who work to build the resilience and strength of people and communities in the inner north. These organisations provide opportunities for people to connect with others and develop skills and confidence to participate in our communities.
Congratulations to all successful applicants and thank you as always to our partners and supporters who make this annual funding possible. Our community is better off for the collaborations and partnerships.
Carolyn Phiddian Chair
Inner North Community Foundation
Pathways to Employment 2024
– GRANTS OVERVIEW
CARLTON NEIGHBOURHOOD LEARNING CENTRE
PROJECT TITLE: MAKE IT WORK 2024
Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre’s flagship Make it Work program enhances meaningful employment opportunities for local culturally and linguistically diverse people, who are often recently arrived migrants and/ or refugees. The program has grown transitioned over many years and focuses the program on responding to barriers with focused and tailored wraparound support to a smaller group of individuals.
Over the next year, 40 people will have access to wraparound support which includes, but is not limited to, assistance with housing, financial counselling, digital literacy, supported
education pathways and leadership programs.
The Make It Work program offers clinics, workshops and one-onone consultations, helping people build meaningful career and education pathways. Additionally, the program encourages and supports a leadership pathway so people engaged with their program can continue and enhance their support in their community. The Centre’s strong relationships with local business, and education pathways lead to meaningful work experience and employment opportunities.
Make it work staff, (L - R) Elle Morrell, Millicent Rees-Jones and Nima Hamid
CERES COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT PARK
PROJECT TITLE: GREEN PATHWAYS PROGRAM
With identified job availability in green industries such as horticulture and sustainable farming, the CERES Green Pathways Program is equipping young people to gain employment and contribute to a sustainable future. The young people engaged in the program are learning valuable skills and gaining a greater sense of hope, resilience and confidence.
The program is aimed at innernorth young people aged between 18 and 25 who are disengaged or at risk of disengaging because of dealing with issues such as mental health, family violence, housing insecurity and/or gaps in schooling.
Over five months, the program provides a mix of training courses and work experience. This gives them chances to spend time with different workers from green industries. The program culminates in a graduation celebration where participants present their journeys.
Flower Picking at CERES Joe’s Market Garden
CULTIVATING COMMUNITY
PROJECT TITLE:
HEAR ME SEE ME EMPLOY ME
Cultivating Community has created a social enterprise which is now providing training and paid work experience for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) women and young people in the City of Yarra, including those who are deaf or have hearing difficulties.
Participants take part in a short course foundation program before applying for casual work with direct employment award rates in gardening, maintenance, community development or cooking. While gaining work experience, they can gain valuable qualifications relating to the use of tools and food safety.
At the end of the casual stage, some participants obtain parttime and permanent employment with Cultivated Community’s social enterprise, while others are supported to move into further education, volunteering or employment elsewhere.
CALD Women product design planning
PRESTON NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE INC
TRADING AS BRIDGE DAREBIN
PROJECT TITLE:
DRIVE TO THRIVE
Drive to Thrive (D2T) is a collaborative project between Bridge Darebin, Dardi Munwurro and Bunnings. The project enables Aboriginal men and women transitioning from incarceration to gain a driver’s licence — the key to getting most jobs.
“Of the previously incarcerated mob we support to reintegrate, the absence of a driver’s licence negatively impacts more than 40% of them to be successful with long-term employment,” stated Dardi Munwurro, who works with Aboriginal families and communities.
Providing financial support for driving lessons, mentorship and job training tailored to available roles at Bunnings, D2T empowers participants to achieve economic independence and stability. A pilot program, coordinators plan to use the resulting data and insights to advocate for broader, more inclusive policies and programs and possible funding streams.
Bridge Darebin leverages the combined expertise and resources of the three organisations to provide holistic support to participants, including access to Bunnings’ Indigenous Transition to Work program.
(L - R) Amelia Barr, Community Education Officer and Project Lead from Bridge Darebin and Julio Estorninho, Pathways Acceleration Employment Officer from Dardi Munwurro
JUNO
PROJECT TITLE:
EMPOWER: BREAKING THE CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY
Juno found a gap in support for financially disadvantaged women and non-binary people to be able to work towards a more sustainable future. They started a program to address this gap, which has exceeded expectations.
Juno’s EMPower coaching program is designed to work with women (trans and cis) and non-binary people affected by family violence and/or homelessness to redevelop their capacity to plan and meet goals, particularly in relation to employment and finances.
From 2021 to 2023, Juno ran a pilot with 38 participants — most of whom were also dealing with visa issues, disability, mental health and culturally diverse backgrounds and faiths.
The pilot ended with all 38 participants living above the poverty line (compared to 14% at intake). Participants saved more money (from $490 to $2,100) and made more money each fortnight (from $1,000 to $1,463). All 38 achieved secure, sustainable housing, with two able to buy a home.
Tanya Corrie CEO presenting at the EMPower Pilot Evaluation Launch
VACRO (VICTORIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE CARE AND RESETTLEMENT OF OFFENDERS)
PROJECT TITLE:
SECOND CHANCE CYCLES
Since 2009, Second Chance Cycles has provided over 1900 inner-northern job seekers with hands-on training in its workshop located within the Collingwood public housing estate. Participants, many previously incarcerated, develop skills to repair and maintain bikes and gain workplace and customer service experience in a supported setting.
Residents, people on community correction orders and day prison release volunteers restore discarded and donated bicycles under the instruction of qualified mechanics/trainers. They also
interact with people who purchase or receive access to the bikes they’ve restored.
Second Chance Cycles also has a significant community development impact by distributing the repaired bikes to local residents, recent migrants, overseas visitors and others who need a bike for employment and mobility. The project encourages sustainable transport, reduces carbon emissions and waste, with over 1,200 bikes being saved from landfill each year.
Second Chance Cycles
FREE TO FEED
PROJECT TITLE:
COMMERCIAL COOKING TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
Guided by research that concludes workplaces are the cornerstones of social and economic inclusion, Free to Feed uses meaningful employment to empower and connect refugees and those seeking asylum living in the inner north.
Completing its first of three years of Pathways to Employment funding support, Free to Feed’s Commercial Cookery, Training and Employment (CCTE) program provided 30 participants with hands-on training and translating support during two shifts each week. Participants also gained
access to mental health and social work practitioners, both individually and in groups, which provides much-needed wellbeing support.
Program coordinators also believe participants being involved in regular social events, learning environments and culturally-specific celebrations assists in reducing the social isolation experienced by many asylum seekers and refugees. At the completion of the program, Free to Feed also provides referrals and support for participants to progress to further education, training or employment.
Free to Feed’s signature grazing table. Photo credit: Sarah Pannell
INNER NORTHERN LOCAL LEARNING AND EMPLOYMENT NETWORK
PROJECT TITLE:
VOCATIONAL MENTORING EXCHANGE
Since 2021, volunteer mentors have worked with more than 700 disadvantaged secondary school students and recent school leavers as they begin their transition to further education, training or employment. The Vocational Mentoring Exchange (VME) recruits and trains volunteer mentors from a range of professional and personal backgrounds, genders and ages, bringing them together with students and young people.
With a second year of Pathways to Employment funding, more than 110 volunteer mentors supported 200 young participants to develop career action plans, visit and
make links with local businesses and industry, and gain a better understanding of employment opportunities in the inner north.
The VME connects mentors and young people in programs which focus on migrants and refugees, unemployed young people and members of the LGBTIQ+ community. A further studentled initiative brings mentors and students together to explore pathways to employment in creative industries.
William Ruthven Secondary College Mentoring Matters program – Lenny (far right) and his Year 12 VCE Vocational Major Mentees
OUTER URBAN PROJECTS
PROJECT TITLE:
LIVE AND DIGITAL TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
PATHWAYS 2022–2025
Outer Urban Projects identifies diverse emerging artists and arts workers from the inner north and matches them with established artist mentors and producers to develop work and career pathways. The live and digital work which results from these pairings becomes part of the organisation’s artistic program, giving participants the opportunity to gain valuable onstage and behind-the-scenes experience and exposure.
With the second of three years of Pathways to Employment funding, the program is working towards its goal of engaging with
at least 30 emerging artists and arts workers seeking to advance their arts practice, creative output, employment and visibility.
In addition to providing pathways to employment, the program also works to highlight the lack of arts funding, programming and participation opportunities for new waves of young artists and works from the north, particularly those with non-English speaking backgrounds, disabilities and mental health issues.
KIN – DUDI AND JOJO animation/documentary project. Artists – Emmanuel Kaisila, Ruci Kaisila, Joanne Kaisila and Daniel Kaisila. Photo credit: Miguel Rios and Meredith O’Shea (C) Outer Urban Projects 2024
THE SOCIAL STUDIO
PROJECT TITLE: WORK2LEARN
The Social Studio’s Work2Learn program provides a bridge from study into the world of real work for people from refugee backgrounds. Working to upskill participants to meet the needs of prospective employers in the garment industry, Work2Learn’s paid, supported traineeships are paving the way for former refugees to move into employment.
Trainees receive one-on-one support from The Social Studio’s production team and holistic support from the organisation’s pathways coordinator, which includes career advice, linkages to industry and information on Australian work culture and
systems. Over 12 weeks, trainees work two days per week on projects with the production team, following real-world, assemble-toorder plans and learning how to communicate within a team.
With support from the Pathways to Employment program during the first of three years funding, the Social Studio in Collingwood has provided some participants with their first-ever Australian work experience and paid employment, with several moving into ongoing employment as a result.
The Social Studio production team, including W2L trainees Muhubo (second from left) and Haweio (centre).
Photo credit: Dewi Cooke
Give with us
As a strong, independent and community based resource, the Foundation works to build prosperous, connected and cohesive communities. Our contributions build on the long tradition of Melbourne’s north, wherein people collaborate to ensure shared opportunity and choice in life.
Our model allows local donations to be pooled to respond to emerging challenges and to have greater impact for the long term.
Over time, the Foundation has expanded its reach and relevance, with more than 837 people giving gifts, large and small, that have a positive impact on their local community. With $12 million under management in funds currently under management, there’s a growing momentum of partnership with donors of all levels of wealth, demonstrated by over 42 MyFunds giving people and businesses a deeper sense of their own legacy in the region.
Over the past 17 years, the Foundation has given $6.4 million via more than 734 grants to community group across Darebin, Merri-bek and Yarra.
Get involved:
TO CREATE A LEGACY FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES IN THE INNER NORTH
A growing number of individuals, families and organisations have established MyFunds that reflect their sustained commitment to the Inner North of Melbourne, and express their priorities as a donor.
TO INCREASE THE REACH OF EXISTING PROGRAMS BY WORKING TOGETHER
Our donors reflect the diversity of our community. They contribute for different reasons, but are connected by a sense of the importance of place-based giving and philanthropy.
Hundreds of contributions are received every year. Such as through regular workplace donations, gifts in wills, donations to specific causes supported by MyFund or the transfer of assets prompted by wind-up clauses.
TO SHARE OUR EXPERTISE
The Foundation can point donors to opportunities to invest in our region, provide links to partnerships and programs, and help bring money to life through place-based philanthropy.
TO VOLUNTEER WITH US
Join our team of talented and committed volunteers who relish sharing their time, talent and networks, to grow the impact and strength of our Foundation community.
Call us on (03) 8689 1967
The 2024 Pathways to Employment Grant Program is a proud partnership of the Cities of Darebin, Merri-bek and Yarra, IntoWork and the Inner North Community Foundation.
Since 2007, IntoWork has supported the ‘Pathways to Employment Fund’. A new commitment in 2021 re-affirmed this partnership, with IntoWork providing an annual contribution of over $200,000 and additional funding that contributes to the core operational costs of the Foundation.
