The Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA) is an independent, community-based, multicultural organisation dedicated to providing a dynamic environment for working collaboratively with refugee and migrant communities to identify strengths, create innovative solutions and support implementation through action.
MECA aims to support actively engaged community members for the purpose of enhancing and growing a more dynamic, cohesive, diverse, inclusive and resilient community. MECA works with communities, individuals, government, corporate and service providers to promote community capacity building and social cohesion in the suburbs of Mount Druitt.
MECA provides specialist youth and settlement services, which include community development, youth leadership and education and learning programs. The organisation is dedicated to improving social and economic outcomes for young people and promoting participation and inclusion in the broader community.
Target group
Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency works with humanitarian entrants and refugees of all ages and cultural backgrounds, newly arrived migrants of all ages and cultural backgrounds, emerging communities, and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Programs
Settlement program. Under the Settlements Grants Program, MECA works to increase clients’ independence, knowledge and ability to navigate mainstream services. MECA provides casework, advocacy, information, educational support, and employment and education pathways to refugees, young people and the wider community.
Casework services are delivered by workers that specialise in the provision of culturally appropriate assistance in a number of community languages, including provision of casework, group information sessions and access facilitation. Access facilitation refers to assistance provided to clients in order to address settlement issues that pertain to life skills, driving and road safety, health, financial management, housing employment, family relationships, education and understanding of the legal and welfare system.
Other activities include a youth leadership development program and academic support initiatives.
Youth. MECA provides services to young people in the Mount Druitt community that promote community capacity building and community skills development. MECA aims to build strong communities by supporting the most disadvantaged young people within our community in their social participation and community engagement, while also helping those individuals and groups develop and strengthen their personal networks.
Projects undertaken aim to increase members’ use and knowledge of existing community resources. As such, MECA provides programs, services and information and educational, recreational, vocational and leadership opportunities in the local area.
Programs and activities include:
- Driver education
- Homework support
- Academic proof reading
- Employment and education pathways
- Mentoring program
- Community capacity building and leadership
- Music lessons
- Sewing classes
- Information sessions
- Swimming lessons
- English classes
- Computer classes
- School holiday programs
- Youth leadership development
- Girls’ empowerment program
Education and employment pathways. MECA has a strong focus on innovative programs and activities that support refugees and young people in the Mount Druitt community in education and employment pathways. We collaborate with corporate, business, schools, TAFE and universities. Programs include:
- Education and Employment mentoring Program (EEMP)
- Academic proofreading
- Pathway opportunities for youth
- Young women’s leadership program
MECA also has a very successful Volunteer Program, which aims to provide volunteering opportunities to refugees, young people and the wider community for the purpose of improving job readiness and enhancing social networks. These volunteering opportunities improve the skill level of volunteers while also enhancing their ability to engage in other forms of social and economic participation. Volunteers also enable MECA to improve and promote volunteering participation, and increase diversity within the volunteering sector. In order to achieve this goal MECA has developed volunteer management programs as well as policies and procedures that adhere to national standards and are regarded as best practice in the management of volunteers.
Contact
Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency
Business Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9am-5pm & Friday 9am-4pm
Office address: Level 1, 12/13 Mount St, Mt Druitt 2770
Postal address: PO Box 65, Mount Druitt NSW 2770
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Telephone: (02) 9625 9300