Access Community Group

“Access Community Group is a socially responsive community organisation providing appropriate and supportive people centered services; working with others to promote holistic community development through social inclusion”

The Business

Access Community Group (ACG) has been delivering high quality federally, state and locally funded programs in the Illawarra for over 23 years. ACG’s vision is to work with the community to build and encourage social and environmental sustainability across the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands. We are a not for profit charity whose main focus is community development and social justice.

Current Services

ACG has a strong history of delivering specialist individualised support services, case management services, participation and engagement programs, skills development courses, career advice support, employment supports and training to the most disengaged or disadvantaged groups in the community.

YOUTH

Youth Connections is a youth engagement and case management support program aimed at supporting young people between the ages of 11 to 19, who are at risk of disengaging or who have disengaged from education to make a smooth transition through school or from school to an alternative pathway. ACG delivers this program across the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands. This program offers intensive case management, engagement activities and alternative education and training supports to young people with the aim of supporting them to make a smooth transition back into or through traditional education. For more information, contact Rob Pringle, Youth Services Manager on 0400 914 269.

The ANZ Young Entrepreneurs Program is an exciting initiative and partnership between Access Community Group, The Smith Family, CareWays and the ANZ Bank. This program aims to support groups of young people to develop their own ‘Micro Business’ and learn all aspects of how to run a business in a practical and ‘hands on’ training setting. The ANZ Bank is providing financial support, professional mentors and business expertise to support the participants learning and skill development in a ‘real’ and ‘relevant’ way. For more information about this project or to get involved, please contact Shantele Tait, Training Manager on 0400 264 732.

The Smash Up Derby Project is a practical skills development alternative education program which is delivered in partnership with The Smith Family, Danics Auto and Tyre Centre, Wilson’s Holden, Uracoa Smash Repair, Street Wise Safety Specialists. This program allows ten young people from the Shellharbour region the opportunity to complete hands on mechanical and spray painting training with two of the regions’ most successful local businesses. Proud sponsor Wilson’s Holden has donated two cars to the group, which they are supported to convert into ‘Smash Up Derby’ vehicles. These two cars are then entered into the Albion Park Smash Up Derby, with the young people serving as the ‘pit crew’. This program provides these lucky participants a chance to develop practical and employability skills which supports their transition back into education or into employment. For more information contact Rob Pringle, Youth Services Manager on 0400 914 269.

The primary purpose of the Voluntary Post Release Support Service (VPRSS) is to support clients under the supervision of the NSW Department of Juvenile Justice to make a smooth transition back into the community by addressing barriers to community reintegration. This program aims to reduce the chances of recidivism by engaging participants by addressing their individual barriers and supporting them to make a smooth transition into education and employment. For more information contact Michelle Enhelidis on 0408 851 594.

The Disability Employment Service (Specialist Youth Service) is for young people with a diagnosed Mental Health Issue or Cognitive Impairment, who are at risk of not making a smooth transition into employment. This program provides one to one case management to participants with a focus on gaining sustainable employment/training. This service further assists with referrals to appropriate services such as Psychologist, Health Care Professions and other Community Agencies and aims to address the participants’ barriers and support needs. Contact Renae Turner on 0417 405 227.

Access All Areas (AAA) is a youth mentoring program incorporating practical training & life skills program for young people aged 13-18 that have been engaged in the Juvenile Justice system; are at risk of becoming connected with the Juvenile Justice System; or who are disengaging from mainstream education. Participants receive hands on and some class room training in a variety of subjects including Land Care and Conservation Management; Business; and Retail incorporating life skills elements, including healthy living, job readiness, drug and alcohol education, anger management and other supports based on the participants’ identified needs. The aim of AAA is to provide support and training which will increase the participant’s chances of re-engaging with education or transitioning into employment; and to increase their positive participation and contribution to the community. This program runs every Friday. For more details, contact Darren Bell, on 0431 497 054.

The Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Program is an engagement and participation program focused on the development of participatory supports and activities for children aged 8-12; young people aged 12-19; and their families living in the Shellharbour region. This program researches and develops strategies for addressing the needs of these cohorts, specifically developing programs and activities that allow them access to appropriate support services; as well as coordinating fun, healthy and suitable activities to support active community participation. This program is delivered in direct partnership with the Lake Illawarra PCYC and the Barnardos Communities for Children initiative. For more information about this program please contact Katie Murphy, FACE Coordinator on 0432 614 500.

The Youth Mystery Shopper Program is an exciting and innovative opportunity for children aged 8-12 and young people aged 12-19 from the Shellharbour region to both actively participate in events and activities in their local community; and to ‘have a voice’. This program supports young people to attend local activities, events and services in the role of a ‘Mystery Shopper’ and tell us about their experiences. These young people are then supported to ‘tell’ the community about these and other upcoming events and activities and review them on an on-going basis through the Youth Access Page - Lake Times Program (see below). For more information or to be involved in this program contact Katie Murphy, FACE Coordinator on 0432 614 500.

The Youth Access Page - Lake Times Program is a direct support and engagement program for children and young people between the ages of 8-12 and 12-19 to offer their opinions, feelings and experiences about activities, programs and events that run in the Shellharbour region. This program offers opportunities for young people to provide reviews; write stories; submit artworks; and have a general voice about issues that relate to them. It also incorporates a calendar of upcoming events so other children, young people and their families can be made aware of ‘What’s On’ in Shellharbour. For more information or to be involved in this program please contact Katie Murphy, FACE Coordinator on 0432 614 500.

EMPLOYMENT

The Disability Employment Service (Specialist Mental Health) focuses on one to one case management with clients (adults) that have mental health issues, with a focus on gaining sustainable employment/training. This intensive case management service further assists with referrals to appropriate services such as Psychologist, Health Care Professions and other Community Agencies. For more information or to take part in this program, please contact Larissa Daniel, Operations Manager on 0431 148 817.

The Post Release Support program (PRS) offers assistance to people who have recently exited custody or been placed on a supervised order. The main goal of PRS is to support clients to overcome their barriers to employment. Clients have a case manager who works closely with them and other services to achieve holistic support. Contact Kim Robin on 0434 381 612 or Bruce Hain on 0408 851 078.

The SMART Recovery Program is a group based focus group providing direct supports and education about overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. This program encourages the development of life and self care skills to address the complex needs of people experiencing drug and alcohol dependence. For more information or to take part in this program please contact Kim Robin on 0434 381 612.

Volunteering and mentoring is a big part of ACG culture. The Access Mentoring Program is a program linking volunteer community member’s with ‘at risk’ young people; promoting the development of relationships which focus on the strengths and achievements of young people to support them to attain their goals. This program has now been integrated into all programs delivered by ACG and we currently have volunteers working in many different aspects of the organisation including the garden, admin and maintenance. To volunteer, contact Jodie Pryor, Volunteer Coordinator on 02-4286 5600.

Access Recruitment Solutions is a social enterprise owned and run by Access Community Group. It is a personnel agency which focuses on filling short, medium and long term employment positions offered by businesses across the Illawarra. Access Recruitment Solutions offers a high quality personalised service; is not for profit which allows it to maintain reasonable administration charges; provides training to people in the skill gap areas; and provides flexible employment opportunities to employees. For more information please contact Casey Bullough, Access Temps Manager on 0417 439 833.

The Work Development Order program allows participants of all our services to ‘work off’ any fines they have that impact on their capacity to successfully participate in the community, or to transition into education or employment. There are a number of activities that participants can participate that both support their capacity to work off their fines, and allow them to develop transferrable employability skills. For more information or to participate in this program, contact Larissa Daniel, Operations Manager on 0431 148 817.

TRAINING

ACG has been a Registered Training Organisation for over 20 years. Under our current scope we are able to deliver accredited training in Business Administration, Retail, Financial Services, Land Care and Conservation Management and Information Technology. We are a member of Jobs Australia and Job Futures and can also deliver accredited qualifications under their scope.

National Green Jobs Corpsis an Australian Government initiative that provides accredited training and work experience opportunities to young people in the green skills and climate change industries.

To be eligible you need to be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident aged between 17 – 24 years, not working more than 15 hours per week, or in full time education. Participants are able to work on projects that make environmental improvements now and develop green skills for the future. For more information about this program please contact Shantele Tait, Training Manager on 0400 264 732.

The Australian Apprenticeship Access Program is an employment assistance training service aimed at providing intensive pre-employment training and support to people wishing to enter an apprenticeship, traineeship or permanent employment position. This program identifies skills shortage areas and works closely with employers to identify the basic skills required by participants to allow them to successfully transition into an employment position, and to maintain this employment over time. For more information or to be involved in this program, please contact Shantele Tait, Training Manager on 0400 264 732.

Access Community Group’s Environmental Services Department is also currently developing the outdoor area at the back of ACG Corrimal office into a Permaculture Garden Site and outdoor classroom. It will be used to run workshops; work experience projects; and engagement activities for participants involved with other ACG programs. For information about working in the garden or participating in garden based activities please contact Darren Bell on 0431 497 054.

Fee for Service Courses include Resume Writing and Job Applications, Job Search (A how to), Computer Applications for Beginner, Financial Management 101, Customer Service and Retail Certificate III, Community Services, Mental Health First Aid, Permaculture Principles and Permaculture for Every Garden. For more information on any of our training courses, contact Shantele Tait on 0400 264 732.

EVENTS

ACG in partnership with the Corrimal Chamber of Commerce hosts Spring into Corrimal every year. Over 30,000 people attended which included a street parade led by a smoking ceremony, live music, food and other entertainment, and a cultural hub which provided diverse activities for young people in the community. This festival is designed to be a community development event aimed at supporting social inclusion. To be a part of this event, or volunteer on the day please contact Jodie Pryor, Volunteer Coordinator on 02-4286 5600.

We also host the Big Machine Skate Comp every year as part of youth week. This event attracts over 250 young people and their families each year. This event is sponsored by Wollongong City Council, Hangdog, Society Street Wear and Boards, Affends Clothing, Lake Illawarra and Wollongong PCYC’s, Redback Music, Wendy’s Icecreams, Surf pit, and Sub way. This event aims to provide local young people with both a safe, fun, youth friendly event to be part of; and information about local youth support services and other upcoming youth friendly events.

Access Community Group in partnership with Shoalhaven City Council is also delivering a series of youth focused art and engagement events aimed at providing young people in the Shoalhaven with safe, fun, youth friendly activities to take part in. These Youth Participation Activities allow young people to learn new skills, participate positively and to ‘give back’ to their local community through the development of large scale murals; community calendars and by taking part in community events such as Naidoc, Graffiti Action Day, the Nowra Skate Comp.

To make tax deductable donations to Access Community Groups gift fund, please send cheques to

Access Community Group
P O Box 99
Corrimal NSW 2518

Or make deposit too

Access Community Group
Bendigo Bank
BSB 633000
A/C 125220830

Receipts will be issued for all donations.

All donations to this gift fund go directly back to the community through programs and support services.