STREAT is a food-system social enterprise that offers work readiness and employment programs for disengaged young people who want to work.

Thay are based in Cromwell Street in Collingwood. Programs coming up include:
 
Taste of STREAT - a two hour interactive workshop for young people (and accompanying workers) who are interested in STREAT’s Ready to Work program and keen to learn a little bit more to help them decide if it's right for them. 
Date: Friday 25th June 10:30am - 12:30pm
RSVP by: 18th June
 
Intro to Work - an eight week individual program for people wanting to access hospitality
or horticulture focused work experience with weekly individual support. This is a roll-in/roll-out program that runs throughout the year.
Accepting referrals now!
 
Ready to Work - a 20 week fully supported group program for young people seeking work in hospitality. It includes on-the-job training, accredited training (Cert II in Hospitality), work readiness workshops, creative and social engagement, individual case support and referral. Plus guaranteed employment opportunities for graduates through the Paid to Work program!
Commencing: Tuesday 27th July 2021
Accepting referrals now!
 
Paid to Work - a six-month program offering Ready to Work graduates an opportunity to transition into 20-25 hours a week of paid employment facilitated through one of our partner employers.

Job Club - a weekly drop-in session for young people wanting individual assistance with looking for work (eg. help with resumes, cover letters, job search sites). No booking necessary – just drop in! Every Friday 1pm - 3pm.

If you are interested in finding out more you can visit their website here.

In Reconciliation Week I thought I’d share with you this short Treaty video that was animated by Lee Arkapaw who I am sure you know. She has been working with us at ACC for the last year or so, rolling out a series of arts outreach projects to help us all keep engaged, connected and creative as a neighbourhood in socially-distanced corona times.

Note she didn’t actually tell me about this video - her Dad tagged ACC on Instagram. Thanks Dennis. Click here to watch the animation. You are very talented Lee!

Hi friends, well we’re all back to appreciating our local neighbourhood for a week hey?

At ACC we’re primarily working from home, but are still here to help. Feel free to give us a call on 9499 7227 or send us an email if you need anything. We’ve got some meals in the freezer we’d be happy to deliver etc.

Also note that there is a whole network of support infrastructure that is now well-established in our neck of the woods if you need a hand.

This guide published by Darebin Council outlines services for food relief, shelters and support for families experiencing violence, community legal service links and more.

You can also call Council on 8470 8888 and ask for the Community Navigation Service to access in-person help.

If you need food support another good place to start is Darebin Information Volunteer Resource Service (DIVRS) on 9480 8200, Monday – Thursday between 9.30am -12.30pm. You may need to leave a message with your name and contact details but you will receive a call back the same day.

You can also contact:

• Encompass Care, Bundoora: 0422 461 847

• Northern Community CareWorks, Preston: 9484 4788

• Salvation Army – Emergency Relief, Preston: 9471 9111

• St Vincent de Paul - Call Centre: 1800 305 330

We look forward to seeing you back at ACC on the other side.

Look after yourself.

Our paving completed … why not pass by and admire it on your lockdown 4 walk! You could also grab a book from the book library or check out the seeds in the seed library and do some autumn planting.

Local artist Nicole Van Dijk’s show “Saviour” at the Gleeson Centre, Darebin Parklands was due to open this weekend, but has been postponed until the end of lockdown.

She has created a series of work focusing on the Parklands and the role it played during the 2020 lockdown.

“For me, and many others, natural, public space was our saviour during lockdown.”

The show includes original artworks, with prints and cards for sale. A percentage of the proceeds will be donated to the Darebin Parklands Association. Check it out - it looks amazing, and so familiar to us all!

This week was Education Week and we were thrilled to get a grant from the Victorian Department of Education to run a couple of podcasting workshops here at ACC to help mark the occasion. Alphington Primary School embraced this opportunity, and on Wednesday sent 12 grade 6 students along to have a crack at using our new equipment under the guidance of local podcaster and author Tony Wilson.

It was a super fun day and the students walked away having made two podcasts each. We’re looking forward to the next group coming on Friday (fingers and toes crossed).