ARMS Reach -- ARMS Newsletter
Web Edition, June 2007
A full version copy in PDF format can be downloaded from here

MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

World Refugee Week is our opportunity to celebrate those New Zealanders whose journeys to Aotearoa began with displacement and upheaval, and for whom their resettlement here has meant huge challenges in the face of disruption, difference, loss and confusion.

Settling successfully in a new country, after such experiences, requires immense resilience and optimism. It also relies on the acceptance, support and openness shown by NZ's communities. RMS Resettlement Service does a magnificent service in supporting refugees in their earliest days of living in Auckland but more volunteers are always being sought to ensure that every family receives the support and guidance needed to learn how to fully adjust to life in New Zealand.

As a country we have been welcoming refugees to our shores for several years, but our responsibilities to ensure successful resettlement must be ongoing and taken seriously. That endeavour must an empowering one- building on the strengths of our refugee communities.

Young people from refugee backgrounds can face particular challenges and hurdles, often serving as the 'bridge' for older members of their families, while seeking to make their own way in the culture of NZ. These young people want to live life to the full here in their new country and to justify their parents' determination and courage in making the journey here. It is for all of us to celebrate and support that will-for it is by doing so we can realise the true spirit of community and contribute to a reality of a truly diverse and tolerant society.

FROM THE EDITOR

The June issue of ARMS Reach. is dedicated to the World Refugee Week which will be celebrated from 18-22nd June this year.

For all enquiries and for feedback, please contact me on 625 3095 or asokab@arms-mrc.org.nz

WORLD REFUGEE DAY: JUNE 20

Every year on June 20, the world honours the courage, resilience and determination of refugees. On this day many organisations all over the world will come together to focus attention not only on the plight of refugees and the causes of their exile, but also their qualities and the contributions they make to their host communities. This internationally recognised day was inaugurated by the UNHCR, as a means of celebrating the courage and achievements of refugees worldwide, and raising their profile within their lands of resettlement.

Often classified unfairly with economic migrants, refugees flee their country not for economic gain but rather to escape persecution, the threat of imprisonment and even threats to their lives. They are seeking a safe haven where they can recover from mental and physical trauma and rebuild their lives in hope for a better future.

Unfortunately, the intolerance that is often at the root of internal displacement and refugee flows can also be found in some of the countries that refugees flee to. Instead of finding empathy and understanding, refugees are often met with mistrust or non-acceptance.

On World Refugee Day, let's not forget that some day in the future any one of us could be knocking at a stranger's door hoping to find a safe and friendly shelter. We should extend refugees the same kind of welcome we would like to receive if we were in their position.

While most refugees want to go home, some cannot safely return. But wherever they are, refugees will always strive to pick up the pieces and start over. The courage and determination demonstrated during their darkest hours serve them well in rebuilding new lives. On World Refugee Day, let us honour them for these qualities and recognise the richness and diversity they bring to our societies.

In New Zealand the theme for World Refugee week this year is the "Voices of Young Refugees. The week will be celebrated in Auckland by several events:

UPDATE ON AUCKLAND CITY SETTLEMENT SUPPORT NZ INITIATIVE

The Auckland Settlement Support New Zealand Initiative has had significant successes in the last quarter.

The Cross Cultural Awareness pilot, funded by the Auckland City Council, was held at the Glen Innes library and was a great success. This is a cross community interactive model run by a trained facilitator. The first pilot session had 21 participants from all ethnic groups and a spot evaluation showed that the session had been very well received.

The Orientation for new migrants programme received a boost with funding from the Auckland Regional Council to take newcomers on a bus trip around the Auckland region, introducing them to housing and employment options. The first of two pilot trips had very good feedback.

The next Local Settlement Network (LSN) meeting will be held at the Mt Roskill School on the 18th August 2007 and will address the Parental Role in Education. The meeting is being held on a Saturday, and is especially for immigrant parents of children in all of Auckland City's schools. Its programme has been based on feedback received after the LSN meeting held in April.

Settlement Support Auckland City will collaborate with the Onehunga Library and Community Centre to launch a local Community Network that will meet once a month, on the 17th July 2007.

We are pleased to report that the Mid Year Report to the Department of Labour received very good feedback and the Three Year Strategic Plan for Auckland City commencing from July2007 - June 2010 has been approved.

Auckland City Settlement Support Co-ordinator :
Kiran Mallapur, Tel: 625 3093.

NEW SSNZ CO-ORDINATOR FOR MANUKAU.

Vimbai Mugadza has joined the team at our Manukau Centre as Settlement Support Coordinator Manukau SSNZ. She hails from Zimbabwe and migrated to New Zealand five years ago with her family. She now lives in Manurewa with her family.

Vimbai has a strong background in community development and project management. She has worked extensively in the agricultural sector as well as in urban environments including refugee resettlement. She has a BSc, National Diploma in Agriculture, a Diploma in Marketing and a Diploma in Theology.

UPDATE ON MANUKAU CITY SETTLEMENT SUPPORT NZ INITIATIVE

Manukau City Council and ARMS organised a Powhiri (welcome) for Vimbai, as the new SSNZ coordinator, attended by a large number of people from other organisations working in the sector. It was also an opportunity to share about Settlement Support NZ and ARMS. Vimbai looks forward to developing her connections with our partner organisations in settlement support in the Manukau region. Feel free to contact her on: 262 5983 or vimbaim@arms-mrc.org.nz

Settlement Network Support Group

The Settlement Support Network Group continues to meet monthly and have given guidance to the production of a three year Manukau City Settlement Support Strategy for July 2007 to June 2010.

Vimbai has been finding her feet in her Coordinator role, as well as planning for the next Local Settlement Network meeting which will be held on the:

17th of July 2007 at the Manukau Guide Headquarters, 68 Everglade Drive, Manukau heights.

The theme will be "Migrant and Refugee Youth-: What is working and what is not? What are the issues to be addressed for young migrants and refugees settling in the Manukau region?"

NEWS FROM THE ARMS MANUKAU CENTRE

Manukau City Directory of Services

Development of a Manukau directory of services for Refugees and Migrants is in progress. Information is being collected from a pilot survey group of relevant organisations. The directory is expected to be available by the end of the year (2007).

Resource Developer-Salah Messiah

Manukau Workshops

Manukau Centre continues to run First Steps to Employment Workshops every fortnight. Contact Sharon on 263 5490 or Manukau@arms-mrc.org.nz about all workshops at Manukau.

NEW STAFF AT ARMS REGIONAL CENTRE

Priyan Rajapaksa has joined the team at Three Kings as a part-time assistant in the Accounts & Finance Team. Priyan's background has been in commercial accounting and he has established his own accounting services practice. Priyan hails from Sri Lanka and is a Chartered Accountant (CA) by profession.

ENGLISH ADVISORY SERVICES ON THE NORTH SHORE

ARMS has begun to deliver English Advisory services on the North Shore.

Marian Patrizio, the English Language Advisor for the North Shore, is available by appointment for one-to-one meetings. During the meeting, clients develop an action plan for improving their English language to the standard that they want to achieve for their settlement goals.

In her role as English Advisor, Marian has up-to-date information about the ESOL classes that are on offer in the Auckland region. She can point migrants and refugees to the most suitable class or to other organizations that will help them with their English and employment needs. Factors such as costs and transportation and child care arrangements are taken into consideration when a referral is made.

Free parking is available and there are regular buses to the centre. For more information on bus schedules call MAXX on 366 6400 or Email on: MAXXenquiry@ maxx.co.nz

Marian can be contacted for an appointment on: 09 262 5982 or by Email on: marianp@arms-mrc.org.nz

ESOL Advisory Services are also available for Auckland Central and Waitakere. Angela Yatri is the ESOL Advisor for these two regions. Contact details : 625 3094 ; angelay@arms-mrc.org.nz

UPDATE FROM THE NATIONAL MULTI LINGUAL INFORMATION SERVICE (CAB)

As one of the Settlement Service branches of Citizens Advice Bureau Auckland City, our staff assist ALL people with information, advice and support. We take this opportunity to update readers about our specialist information services to migrants and refugees across Auckland. In recent months, our service has expanded from just a regional service to now providing specialist information to SSNZ Coordinators and CAB staff across the country.

We have a pool of trained bureau of workers who can speak 26 languages and are well conversant in making conference calls on behalf of clients. Our numbers of enquiries per month now average around 2000.

Some examples of enquiries that we have assisted with over recent months are as follows:

WHAT'S NEW AT ARMS?

Volunteering Scheme
Volunteer Awareness Week from 17-23 June gives us a great opportunity to acknowledge the assistance given to ARMS by our dedicated team of volunteers.

The ARMS volunteer scheme, which received funding from Auckland City and the Lottery Community Committee, has enabled more than 8 individuals to volunteer at the organisation over the past 6 months.

Volunteers assist with a number of tasks throughout ARMS, from working on reception and fielding calls and greeting visitors to the centre, through to assisting with workshops, administration tasks and other smaller projects.

Gaining NZ work experience is often vital for new migrants and refugees who are trying to find employment and volunteering can provide a useful stepping stone. Volunteering provide a perfect opportunity to gain news skills in a supportive and friendly environment.