A project to support migrant communities improve their English language and literacy skills is one of 73 local projects and initiatives to be funded with the help of $208,643 in community grants.
Each year, Council offers eligible not-for-profit groups with limited access to financial resources the opportunity to share in funding made available through its .
This year’s recipients come from a broad range of community groups, with a significant amount of funding being allocated to emergency relief, and programs that support children, youth, seniors and disability groups.
Community group Chin Community Victoria Inc. is one of this year’s beneficiaries, receiving a grant to produce 50 bilingual picture books that will be available as a teaching resource to local migrant children and their families.
The bilingual books will aim to improve English language and literacy skills among migrant children from the Falam Chin community, while at the same time embracing their heritage language.
“We will be using this funding to translate a picture book called The Little Refugee written by Anh Do. We will use this funding for translation and printing fees and to buy the books,” Chin Community Victoria spokesperson Piang Lilian said.
The books will incorporate the Falam Chin dialect that will feature alongside English text.
Piang says the picture books will also be a great help to parents with limited English.
“Maroondah City Council providing us with this funding support means that they understand and care for the settlement and wellbeing of parents in our community,” he said.
Chin Community Victoria Inc. aims to support the successful settlement of Chin migrants from Myanmar, offering guidance and support to community members to participate fully in Australian society and life, while taking pride in Chin cultural heritage.
“We feel reassured through this support that Council understands and respects the needs of our community and is working towards providing an inclusive environment for parents in our community,” Piang said.
Maroondah Mayor, Cr Mike Symon, said the funding would support some wonderful community projects and initiatives, as well as helping to improve facilities and services across the city.
“Council is pleased to be able to assist these groups to develop programs, projects and events for the Maroondah community which might otherwise have taken years of fundraising efforts to achieve,” Cr Symon said.
A program providing support to disadvantaged and vulnerable youth to access food and pre-employment training; establishing a community of practice to address a gap in Aboriginal mental health services; and community learning opportunities to support positive ageing are among other projects and initiatives to be funded.
The latest round of grants will also help community groups to upgrade and improve programs, fund equipment purchases and administrative costs, and assist with providing emergency relief.
View the full list of
Applications for the next round of grants will open in March 2023.
