Absolutely fabulous

It’s been a “friggin’ fabulous” year for the ASRC Dandenong according to centre manager Rosa Misitano.

In the two years since it opened in Melbourne’s southeast, the ASRC Dandenong has assisted more than 1300 people who are seeking asylum. And one of the centre’s proudest achievements in 2015 has been finding more than 82 members employment.

“We mainly focus on helping people with ‘survival jobs’: a first job in Australia to get experience, referees and some moolah. So the roles are usually short term,” Rosa says.

“We still work with members to keep their long-term ambitions alive, such as getting their qualifications recognised here.”

“Someone said to me the other day ‘as soon as our members get jobs they seem to grow an inch taller’ and it’s so true. It really gives them a purpose and confidence.”

The success of Dandenong’s employment program is due in part to program manager Sonia cultivating “fantastic” relationships with local companies to take on ASRC members as staff.

“Five members have been employed by one company with a manager who is great with feedback,” Rosa says.
“The first member we placed there almost two years ago has been made a permanent employee and has been trained in skills such as forklift driving.”

English classes at Dandenong:

Although the relaxing of protection visa conditions to give more people seeking asylum work rights has made the centre “scarily busy” at times, Rosa says they relish the challenge.

“Someone said to me the other day ‘as soon as our members get jobs they seem to grow an inch taller’ and it’s so true. It really gives them a purpose and confidence.”

Rosa is also adamant that Dandenong’s impressive outcomes in employment – as well as in education and community engagement – could not be achieved without its 75 “so, so, so, so fabulous” volunteers.

“There is just no way we could operate without them.”

Dandenong Office Manager, Mehtap and a volunteer: