Community Support Programs
The purpose of these program is to provide a support environment in which young people and their families can positively engage with schools, community elders, and the broader community. It is the aim that these programs increase social connection, educational engagement, and employment pathways, hence reducing community disengagement and potential vulnerability to risk taking behaviours.
School Holiday Programs
Our School Holiday Programs provide families and community members with both social and educational experiences, that foster a sense of connectedness to their local and broader community and areas.
We work closely with our partners to deliver holiday programs that encourage families to participate in a range of activities and services that enhance children’s and their parents or carers self-esteem and help them to develop social, teamwork and leadership skills.
The programs are designed to empower children to identify their skills and interests through creativity, art, sport, and recreational activities that are inclusive and build capacity and confidence of culturally and linguistically diverse families living in the Western region of Melbourne.
Sports and Recreation
Throughout the year ERCRS work with organisations and individuals who support in providing recreational activities and workshops to support in the social development and wellbeing of the families we work with. Recent examples include:
Melbourne Victory Football Club
Ballet
LSV
NCV
Poetry
Rapping
These happen through each of our hubs as opportunities arise.
We Connect
Our We Connect Mentoring Program is an after-school program for young men and women (and those identifying) aged 12 to 16 (in Years 7 to 10) based in the western suburbs of Melbourne that aims to increase social connection, educational engagement, and employment. The two programs are centred around creative arts and sports with all participants having the opportunities to go on excursions and camps throughout the school term and holidays.
"What inspired me to continue volunteering at Edmund Rice was seeing the kids having a great time whilst gaining confidence in their abilities; as well as the smiles on their faces when they figured out how to do a new maths skill or figuring out a question that they once thought was impossible.
Through this experience, I understand how crucial it is to help children in any way possible and believe that all kids require extra nurture and care while they are young so they can grow into strong, kind and intelligent young adults.
The program has enabled me to become more confident in communicating with a wide range of people. It has also taught me the importance of patience and compassion while helping the kids understand different concepts."
- An ERCRS Volunteer
