MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO
The first quarter of the year has flown past and we, at Ishar, have been busy delivering all our regular programs and services. In addition, we celebrated International Women’s Day with a walk through the Mirrabooka streets and shopping centre. 120 women, holding colourful umbrellas, walked in an effort to raise awareness of the significance of the day. The walk ended with a celebratory lunch, music, dancing and inspirational talks by Janine Freeman, Member for Mirrabooka and Dr. Grace Phua, a doctor practising at Ishar who has extensive knowledge of working with women from refugee backgrounds.
In response to community demand we have continued to deliver domestic violence support services in spite of no government funding being available. We are very grateful to Zonta Club of Perth for directing their fundraising efforts towards supporting the women who attend the Domestic Violence Support group.
Ishar’s Mental Health Carer Support Program underwent a rigorous evaluation by the Mental Health Commission and we are pleased that our contract has been extended by a further two years to June 2020. The clients who attend the weekly program celebrated this extension, as for many of them the program is the only source of support and respite from their arduous caring roles.
Clients at Ishar have also been fortunate to receive support from the Commonwealth bank who donated clothes, toys and toiletries for vulnerable families.
In the next quarter Ishar will be wishing Danielle Lobo, our Project Coordinator, the very best in having her second baby. Her position will be filled by Ruth Buckmaster who has extensive experience of working with newly arrived refugees through her past experience of working with the Red Cross.
Ishar was fortunate to receive a grant from Lotterywest to redevelop the website and develop a new Facebook page. In the next few weeks we will be launching the new website and I would request you to become our friend on Facebook.
I hope you enjoy perusing through this newsletter and if you have any ideas, suggestions or comments please let us know.
CARERS SUPPORT PROGRAM
The Carers Support Program continues to encourage the engagement and social participation of the CALD carers. The aim of the program is to connect participants with the wider community and create a hub that provides ongoing support and education.Carer Support Services and Programs operate on a weekly basis during each school term and are specifically for men or women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds caring for someone with mental health issues.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Centre celebrated International Women’s Day on Wednesday 7th March 2018. It commenced with a walk by the women through Mirrabooka Square Shopping Centre and culminated at Herb Graham Recreation Centre. The women carried colourful umbrellas and some wore traditional clothes. The celebrations continued with speeches by Andrea Creado (CEO of Ishar), Janine Freemen (Member from Mirrabooka) and Dr Grace Phua (GP at Ishar). This was followed by a light lunch, music and dancing.
ZONTA CLUB PERTH
Zonta Club works to end violence against women and empower women and girls worldwide through activities at a local, district and international level. The Family and Domestic Violence Program at Ishar, is very grateful for all the support provided by the Zonta Club Perth. Over a number of years they have generously provided gifts for the women, arranged picnics, donated money towards the running costs of the Domestic Violence Program and provided Coles vouchers for women in crisis. The women are currently looking forward to attending a lunch organised by the members of Zonta Club.
COMMONWEALTH BANK
Staff at the Mirrabooka branch of Commonwealth bank generously donated money for Ishar clients and their families. This was used to purchase clothes, toys and nappies for young children and health care products for the mothers. The gifts were given out to members of the Mothers group. They were grateful received by all clients and the children were thrilled with their new things.
SCULPTURES BY THE SEA
The sun was shining on the Ishar women and children in March as they gathered excitedly in Cottesloe to view the sculptures by the sea. A party of 42 women and children experienced the colour and creativity of the sculptures and had a lovely seaside picnic afterward. Our families had a wonderful day and wish to thank Lotterywest, City of Cottesloe and DADAA for organising this event and generously providing a bus to take the group from Ishar to Cottesloe. We all appreciated the assistance from volunteer guides and interpreters who provided a detailed explanation of the arts on display.
HARMONY DAY
Harmony Day 16/3/2018, was celebrated with colour, vibrancy, music, food tasting, and entertainment and a great camaraderie amongst the crowd at the Herb Graham centre in Mirrabooka. Harmony Day awards were given to our three volunteer English teachers and the participants from the Neighbourhood Mothers Program handmade decorated cushions for the storytelling tent. It was a very successful day.
