Author Archives: theme

Overview South East Community Links (SECL) provides value support to refugees and vulnerable migrants from Afghanistan. Here is an overview of our work over the past two years. We support community members to build independent and meaningful livelihoods that make positive contributions to our local communities.Our capacity building work provides practical support, advocacy, service linkage…

Overview Sarah* was 13 weeks pregnant when she sought help from South East Community Links (SECL) after enduring years of ongoing family violence. Sarah was referred by a family violence organisation and required emergency relief, housing, and support. She faced financial hardship, unstable housing, and the daunting task of navigating her pregnancy alone, lacking a…

Overview Matija* had migrated from Serbia to Australia, with his wife and two children. He was 50 years old, when he was referred to South East Community Links for emergency relief. Our intake assessment revealed that there had been family violence issues in the home.  *not his real name or photo   Client situation Matija…

Overview Aaisha* arrived in Australia from Afghanistan in 2007. She attended South East Community Links (SECL) for emergency relief assistance. SECL’s practitioner became aware of a family violence situation during her intake assessment. *not her real name or photo   Client situation During the past four years, Aaisha endured a harrowing cycle of family violence,…

Overview In November 2021, the Strategic Partnership Program (SPP) was approached by the Afghan Community Response Project within Foundation House to collaborate on a program designed to supportnewly arrived Afghan refugees. It was identified by the Community Project Workers that building independence via driving was a particular concern for the newly arrived community members.The Learner…

Overview Arriving in Australia in 2008, Farah is a 35 year old from Afghanistan with two children. In 2018, she started to look for employment in her field of science or a role in a government office. She had strong qualifications with a bachelor’s degree in science. Farah wanted to support herself and her family…

Overview Saanvi is a 48-year-old and mother of three children ranging from 15 to 20 years old. She is an Australian citizen of Indian origin who speaks Punjabi and English. Saanvi is a qualified nurse and has a home with a mortgage in Melbourne’s outer south-east which was affected by storms and flooding in 2021….

Overview John is a 23-year-old single male recovering from drug addiction and struggling with mental health. He has been drug-free for the past nine months and continues to seek support for his mental health. John lives at his grandparents’ home in Melbourne’s outer south-east, and his grandmother supports his rehabilitation efforts. John is studying for…

Overview Ray is a 27-year-old male with an intellectual disability who receives a Centrelink Disability Support Pension (DSP). Ray had been living with his mother and stepfather who controlled his bank accounts and income. They also took out bank loans and credit cards in his name and used these funds to support their lifestyle. His…