Hundreds more Victorian students of African heritage will receive extra support to stay engaged in school and work towards their goals thanks to the extension of Victoria’s ground-breaking Homework Club program.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence and Chair of the Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP) Implementation Committee Anthony Carbines today announced $1.2 million for 13 Homework Clubs across the state to continue delivering vital after-school programs including one-on-one support, goal setting and mentoring.
Students will be supported by eight School Community Liaison Officers, who work directly with schools, parents and students to ensure kids feel part of the school community.
More than 600 students have enrolled in Homework Clubs since they were launched in June 2020, with feedback showing students are more confident and positive about school, and parents more engaged in their education.
The Victorian Government is also establishing the Employment Brokers initiative, which will provide personalised support to African-Victorian jobseekers to improve job readiness and build pathways to work.
Eight successful organisations will share in $993,000 to enable them to host African Employment Brokers in partnership with Jobs Victoria Employment Network providers.
They include Somali Women’s Development Association, Junubi Wyndham and Afri-Aus Care.
The Homework Clubs, School Community Liaison Officers and Employment Brokers are part of the Government’s Victorian African Communities Action Plan, a 10-year strategy developed with African communities to create opportunities across employment, education, wellbeing, inclusion and leadership.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ros Spence
“Homework Clubs are having a massive impact – helping students do better at school and feel more confident about the future. We’re ensuring they can continue to help even more students reach their goals.”
“The Employment Brokers program will help African-Victorians overcome barriers to employment, get job-ready and make connections with employers.”
Quotes attributable to Chair of the Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP) Implementation Committee Anthony Carbines
“The number of students attending Homework Clubs shows how valuable they are – and we are proud this important work will continue.”
“The Employment Brokers will not only help African-Victorians looking for work – it will contribute to the whole state’s economic recovery as we move past the pandemic.”
Reviewed 24 June 2021