Michelle Lewis:
We were really fortunate in identifying the right community agency to partner with because working with the RESP team, Farah was able to help us identify who would be appropriate. Really, we wouldn't have known where to start if it wasn't for Farah. And she had this connection. And because of that connection, she sort of knew soon as we mentioned our project was going to be a pantry, she was straight away onto it and knew that the right organization was Dandenong Community Learning Centre. So it was fantastic actually.
Stephanie Joseph:
One of the best parts about this partnership is we both bring something different to the table. And because we had the connections in the community and also we'd been working in sort of food aid relief programs previously, it was just an easy connection for us to bring into the fold. And then Lyndale brought the wellbeing program that they have, all their staff, their support, their connections to families, the facilities, and also the fact that the families are already coming here. They obviously already have their children enrolled in the school. So the connections are strong here for families to feel like it's a place for them to come. And it just expands the services that you're offering to families.
Michelle Lewis:
When we started the project, the main thing we wanted it was to be sustainable. We didn't realize how it was going to grow and just how much need there was and how that need would sort of present itself over time. Our operations manager has built this huge kitchen garden and Bunnings have helped out by sponsoring that.
And now, we've got this area where we're creating an opportunity to grow all the produce so that seasonally it's coming through nice and fresh, but we're also able to roll that into our student program. So students are actually supporting by taking out small groups and working in the garden or it might cross over with food tech or particularly even as an intervention for young people who maybe need a bit of just time out of the classroom to self-regulate. There's nothing better than getting out in the gardens.
Stephanie Joseph:
The other ways that the program has sort of evolved over time is we made some really intentional strides to build rapport with the families, making sure that when they come, they're invited to stop and have a cup of tea, have some food together, and they were then making connections amongst themselves.
So we can see now that families are welcoming each other in. They're reminding each other of the program. They're inviting other moms and parents that are part of the school network who can come and participate.
Melissa Silas:
Some of the major highlights for me in delivering this project have been seeing the families of Lyndale come together and watching them sit and have morning tea with each other and just connect as a wider school community.
Anne Mukankusi:
Another highlight for me is just being a small part of reducing their financial burden, just giving them a few items in their household that they can take from school. That is just a huge thing for them. It might be just once a month, but it's amazing for them. And it's just bringing the community together, which I believe is such a beautiful thing for the communities.
Shazia Ali:
Some of the parents said that they have seen their friends after years, which they don't know that they are also living in Australia. I was very happy when I heard this, and the families were very happy, and they met each other and they have their chat, which is good for them and for us as well.
Michelle Lewis:
Also that they've got the wellbeing team members there and multicultural liaisons. So they'll stop and have incidental conversations and you find out things that are happening in their world. And so it's created a really nice environment for the parents as well, I think. It's growing, but it's growing in a way that is suiting the needs of the people in our community, the families in our community.
Anne Mukankusi:
Just seeing the joy of families coming and just engaging. I think sometimes, it's them coming in, having a look and just building that trust.
Selene:
It's been wonderful meeting new people, talking to parents that we have in London before and make new friends. The best thing about it is to relieve shopping. The school has been really helping us with our children, with the financial relief from shopping and all that. I encourage other school to help other parents to get the same benefit that we are getting.
We really appreciate that the community is doing this or school community is doing that for the family. Maybe, you're stressed at home. But you come here, you feel better, you feel supportive with the other parents and the student and they say, "Hi." You feel like you're part of the community. I'm so thankful, and I appreciate it.
Michelle Lewis:
From the community project, it's been connection. It's about connection with our local community, the organizations within our community, Dandenong Community Learning Centre, and CMY as well. But for us, it's that connection with our families, and it's parents knowing that school's a place of safety, that we're culturally respectful.
Stephanie Joseph:
The beautiful part of this program is that it's whole families and getting an understanding of what this program means for the household. So it's not just the students that attend the school, but it's the whole family. As a community organization, that's something we're really passionate about, is making sure that the impact is as widespread as possible.
Melissa Silas:
I think that other schools who would be thinking about it, definitely get behind it, do the first one, and it's just going to grow from there. We can see that any school that has a multicultural population, the need is there for the families, and they want to come, and they want to connect with us, and they want to connect with each other as well.
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