Past projects
Past projects 2001-2009
Since its inception, the Aspire Foundation has supported a wide range of charitable organisations in Australia and abroad to create and run innovative programs that engage people in meaningful education and training. Past recipients of grants have included:
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Afghanistan Book Drive
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Ardoch Youth Foundation
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Asylum Seekers Resource Centre
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Australian Afghanistan Volunteers Association
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The Blackwood Centre for Adolescent Development
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Bundaberg Skills Centre
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Corryong Secondary School
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East Timor Development Agency
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Ecumenical Migrant Centre
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The Fitzroy Learning Network
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Hotham Mission
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Kids Under Cover
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Mt Beauty Secondary School
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Odyssey House
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Rockdale Community Services Inc.
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TAFE SA
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Thornbury Neighbourhood Women's House
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Thuringowa Job Training Centre
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Uniting Care Wesley Adelaide
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Women’s Information Referral Exchange (WIRE)
Rockdale Community Service Inc: ‘Visions, Foundations and Pathways’ (2008)
The program assisted disadvantaged individuals in New South Wales’ Rockdale community develop skills and knowledge through structured training in vocational areas such as community and health, business administration, food services, retail and trades. The program targeted young people from Aboriginal communities, young people at risk, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds and parents returning to the workforce.
Participants attended training sessions to set goals for the future and followed by accredited training sessions in their areas of interest specially designed to meet their Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) needs. This was supported by mentoring and counselling services to help them attain their goals during and beyond the program. This initiative has empowered people to move forward by developing new skills and breaking poverty cycles in a community with low socio-economic status.
Hotham Mission: ‘The Asylum Seeker Education and Vocational Training Access Program – Men’s Group’ (2006/07)
Hotham Mission used Aspire Foundation funds to develop a program assisting male asylum seekers (who had spent from 1-6 years in detention) access educational opportunities and develop skills and knowledge to enter the Australian workforce.
Individual training programs were tailored for each individual and based on the skill set of the person. Training included language and literacy classes, the development of employability skills, accreditation of overseas qualifications to Australian qualifications, skill gap training in identified professions. The recognition and/or update of qualifications aimed to enable these asylum seekers to find employment and potentially have their visa extended or be granted permanent residency.
Fitzroy Learning Network: ‘Opening the Doors to the Community – Settling in Australia’ (2006)
This project involved a number of capacity building initiatives to assist in the settlement process for newly arrived refugees. By building a strong sense of belonging and improving participant’s capacity to participate fully in Australian society, this program assisted refugees in making a smoother transition into life in Australia.
The program involved practical skills such English as a Second Language (ESL) tuition and computer classes. Additionally it provided an educational curriculum on how the Australian community and civic life operates, including excursions to Australian institutions such as Parliament House and social functions to help participants build networks in the Australian community.
Australian Afghanistan Volunteers’ Association (2003-06)
Following the demise of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, there emerged a growing need for trained women and men to work in administration as office managers, accountants and administrators. Workshops were developed and delivered in the areas of basic accountancy, administration, office management and peace education to residents in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The program helped improve the education levels of a number of Afghan men and women, contributing to the growing need for trained women and men to work in administrative and book keeping roles. Aspire also provided workbooks to supplement the learning in these workshops.
WIRE (Women’s Information Referral Exchange): ‘Off to work again: Returning to the workforce for disadvantaged women’ (2005/06)
WIRE’s program consisted of workshops on job seeking skills and strategies conducted for disadvantaged women seeking employment. The sessions were facilitated by a trainer and employed a variety of interactive teaching and learning methods, such as practical exercises, facilitated discussions, research and role-play. Examples of workshop topics included: finding a niche; writing application letters; and preparing a resumé.
This project addressed the needs of disadvantaged women who were aiming to enter or re-enter the workforce, by preparing them for the whole job searching process.
Thornbury Women’s Neighbourhood House: ‘I’m going back!’ (2004/05)
This project focused on women returning to work, particularly after being at home with young children. The program explored career options, skill development, work preparation and job search techniques. It was developed specifically to increase participants’ employability and a ten-week course was followed up with regular contact, feedback and evaluations of the effectiveness of the course.
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre: ‘Job Ready in Australia’ (2004)
This project partnered with AMES to design and deliver a ‘job ready’ course to asylum seekers with work rights. Participants were invited to attend a series of job search courses to improve their chances of finding work in Australia and to bridge the gap created by the exclusion of asylum seekers from government funded training and employment schemes.
Some of the skills acquired by participants included: setting job goals, identifying sources of vacancies, searching for jobs, resume preparation, interview skills and increased knowledge of the Australian job market. The program also helped impart fundamental employability skills such as communication and time management skills, as well as introducing participants to concepts of Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Workcover. The program included a number of guest speakers and outside visits from organisations such as Centrelink, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Australian Tax Office.