Women of the West Awards
Jocelyn Sio was “shocked and really proud” when her name was called out at Friday’s Women of the West awards for 2016.
A member of the Mount Druitt Pacific Islander community, Ms Sio was honoured for her work with at-risk youth at Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency.
She was named highly commended in the Young Women of the West category, which highlights the achievements of female western Sydney residents aged 18-28.
The panel made special mention of the passion Ms Sio exhibited, drawing on her own experience of disadvantage.
“A lot of people say Pacific Islanders will never amount to anything,” Ms Sio told the Star.
“For me today, it was to show that Pacific Islanders can amount to big things and be great.”
A volunteer with the Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre for more than six years, Ms Sio said it wasn’t until she was voted school captain in year 12 that she began to gain confidence. “That’s when I decided I was going to strive for more,” she said.
A major focus of her work is helping at-risk young men move away from bad habits and find pathways that match their own interests.
“A lot of them can’t identify their skills because they have never been mentored or encouraged in high school.”
Original ArticleI try to help build up the character of boys, to help them identify with what real men are about – I want to enable these young men to see they have great skills."
Nothing is Impossible.
In 2012, actor and director John K-ay released a film called ‘Nothing is Impossible.’
As well as being the tile for one of his films, it is also the message he has for all the young people out there.
John was born Jean Marie Ndaishimiye in 1992 in Burundi in west Africa.
They spent the next 11 years living in a refugee camop before they were offered an opportunity to come to Australia.
After initially living in Wollongong, John relocated to Perth with his family a year.
“For me today, it was to show that Pacific Islanders can amount to big things and be great.”
While his family still live in Perth, John has now settled in Blacktown, because there are more opportunities in Sydney.
When his family arrived in Australia, even being able to communicate was an issue.
“At first when I came here, because in my country, we don’t speak any English, so it was very hard,” he said.”
Original ArticleWhen I was growing up, there was no such thing as doing media or music even if you wanted to. The only thing we had to do is eat, sleep, go to school, come back home, that’s it."
We celebrated our 200th Volunteer.
Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA) has celebrated the recruitment of its 200th volunteer.
A refugee resettlement organisation, MECA provides various training programs for new arrivals and has set up work experience pathways for tertiary students in the Mount Druitt area.
Manager Amy Hope said MECA volunteers gain valuable experience in an Australian workplace.
“Our volunteers are able to become familiar with the Australian working culture,” she said.
“Essentially, we support people who are interested in working in the community, whether that be in youth programs, social justice, human rights or whatever area their skill set can lead them to.
“Gaining that experience puts them in a better position to find paid work.”
MECA held a volunteer and student placement education day on Wednesday. The session covered four main topics; assertiveness, confidence, emotional intelligence and effective communication.
Original ArticleEssentially, we support people who are interested in working in the community, whether that be in youth programs, social justice, human rights or whatever area their skill set can lead them to."