What’s on

YOTS School Holiday Program 2025

Youth off the streets will be running FREE fun activities every Tuesday throughout January 2025 to keep young people busy. Activities include Arts & Craft, Movie & Trivia, Games & Karaoke, Pizza & Mocktail Making. Lunch is provided.

Requirements: 12–24-Year-olds in Blacktown, Parramatta, The Hills, and Cumberland LGAs. Must register!

When: Tuesdays –  21st, 28th. 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Where: 2/22 Main Street, Blacktown (entry via Jim Simpson Lane)

To register visit this LINK.

Welcome Information Session

An introduction session for new clients to learn about our services, ask questions, and connect with other members of the community.

When: Friday, 7 February, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM, followed by a community lunch

Where: ASC Newtown

Bookings via this FORM.

Family Sunday: Celebrate Lunar New Year

Visit the State Library for a FREE family event to welcome the year of the snake.

The Learning Centre will be full of fun activities for children of all ages – make shadow puppets, fortune cookies, snakes, lanterns and more. Join us for bilingual storytime. Make sure you catch the Lunar New Year Lion Dance at 11am!

Suitable for the whole family.

When: 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Sun, 9 February 2025

Where: State Library of New South Wales

Bookings are free via this LINK.

Share your heart and not your identity this Valentine’s Day

ID Support NSW are holding a webinar to empower you to safeguard personal information and recognise potential threats online this Valentines Day.

During this 60-minute live session, you will discover: Tips for safe online dating; How to recognise and respond to romance scams; Real-world case studies and red flags to watch out for; The importance of your personal data; Where to seek assistance if you’ve fallen victim to fraud.

When:  11:00am – 12:00pm, Friday, 14 February 2025.

Where: Online

Book your online ticket via this LINK.

Community Cafe Outreach Service Store

The Cafe service that provides FREE food, pantry items, toiletries, vegetables, fruit, bread, meat, meals and cold items such as milk eggs cheese etc. They also provide clothing, shoes, and all other household items and white goods.

When: They are open 3 Days a week: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 11am to 4pm.

Where: 54 Celebration Road Sadleir 2168

For more information call 0493 048 650 or visit this LINK.

Under the Radar - Free Driver and Rider Workshops

Drivers and riders are invited to attend a free 2 hour workshop to increase their safety, knowledge and confidence.

The session will cover: What the major types of crashes are and how to avoid them, the most misunderstood road rules, how to stay ‘Under the Radar’, and how to become a safer driver using safe driving strategies. Additional questions answered by NSW Police Highway Patrol officer.

When: Wednesday, 19 February 2025, 6:00pm to 8:00pm

Where: Auburn Town Hall

Bookings: To book email rso@cumberland.nsw.gov.au using the subject line “UTR Workshop”

Free Homework Help

The Cumberland Multicultural Community Services (CMCS) and Merrylands Youth Centre (MYC) Homework Support program has recommenced at Merrylands Youth Centre. The homework help is for children aged 12-18 years old.

When: Every Monday from 3-6 pm at the Merrylands Youth Centre,

Where: Address, 289 Merrylands Road,Merrylands

Bookings: To register please call Erick from CMCS on 9637 7600 or Seini from MYC on 9637 1535

Sewing group at Newtown Tuesday and Fridays

Be part of a fun and creative sewing community, learn new skills and have a good time.  Bring in your mending or any sewing project you are working on. We will provide all supplies, equipment, and a supportive and friendly learning environment.

When: Every Tuesday (1:30pm-3pm) and Friday (10:30am-12:30pm)

Where: ASC Newtown

Booking: To join the sewing group please email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

LGBTQIA+ Peer Group

The ASC supports a safe space for our clients who identify as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. The group meets regularly, providing opportunities for social connection with access to events, dinners, nights out and guest speakers.

For more information you can contact our LGBTQIA+ Community Coordinator via this email.

Addi Road Food Pantry

Visit Addi Road Food Pantry for very low cost groceries. Once you spend $5 or more, you receive free fruit, vegetables and bread.

When: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday
12 noon – 4 pm and Wednesday
12 noon – 7 pm

Where: Addison Road Community Centre
142 Addison Road, Marrickville

or

When: Monday to Saturday
12 noon – 4 pm

Where: 31 Pyrmont Bridge Rd, Camperdown

For more information visit this LINK.

Auburn Food Pantry

Youth Starts @ STARTTS After School Hours Program

School Student Broadband Initiative (SSBI)

The School Student Broadband Initiative is providing one year of free NBN access to eligible participants.

• To qualify families and carers must:
• Have a school age student at home (full or part time), enrolled in an Australian school
• Not have an active NBN network internet service at your current residential address now or in the past 14 days
• Live in a premise that can access the NBN network through a standard connection

Families can directly contact the National Referral Centre (1800 954 610) to check if they qualify or be referred by a participating nominating organisation.

The organisation Think + Do Tank can also provide assistance to apply. You can contact Think + Do Tank via this LINK.

Talk to an ASC University Advisor

Do you want to apply for University and Scholarships for 2025? If so, you can get help applying for university courses and tuition fee scholarships.

Contact us at employment@asylumseekerscentre.org.au to talk to a University Advisor at ASC.

TAFE online courses

Explore TAFE online courses. Study anywhere anytime.

TAFE Digital offers a wide range of nationally recognised, online study options, across a range of modern industries. You can study online and enjoy flexible learning to fit your lifestyle, with our online short courses, certificates, diplomas, and degrees.

More information here.

TAFE - Book to talk to a career counsellor

TAFE offers hundreds of courses to choose from. Many courses up to Cert IV may be fee-free for people seeking asylum.

TAFE NSW provides free counselling about education and careers to current and future students.

TAFE counsellors can help you to:

• clarify your career goals;
• find a course that meets your needs;
• identify obstacles you may be facing – and help you to deal with them; and
• develop skills to manage your career into the future.

Call TAFE on 131 601 (Option 5, then Option 2) to make an appointment with one of the TAFE Counsellors.

For more information click here.

Study at TAFE

Semester 1, 2025 is now open for enrolments.

TAFE offers flexible study options, industry experienced teachers and nationally recognised courses to ensure you are job-ready.

There are many courses up to Certificate IV offering government subsidies – talk to a TAFE Career Counsellor today!

Enrol Now

Free Counselling Sessions for Palestinians aged 18 years and over

Community Based Mental Health Program offers Free Counselling Sessions for Palestinians aged 18 years and over.

Face to face and online options available. Service offered in Arabic and English.

For bookings follow this LINK.

Water Safety Day at Penrith Beach

Royal Life Saving NSW and Surf Life Saving NSW are hosting a FREE Community Water Safety Day to empower people in Greater Western Sydney with essential water safety knowledge and lifesaving skills.

Who: Adults and children in Greater Western Sydney

Where: Penrith Beach

Castlereagh Road, Castlereagh NSW 2749, Australia

When:

• Event 1: Thursday 30 January/2025 10am – 2pm
• Event 2: Thursday 27 February 2025 10am – 2pm
• Event 3: Thursday 20 March 2025 10am – 2pm

Cost: FREE (includes lunch!) 

Keep cool in the heat

Get tips on how to stay safe, hydrated and healthy this summer. Read through resources below:

NSW Enviro

VIC gov

FREE School Yard Games @ Auburn Centre for Community

Come join Cumberland City Council, Reclink Australia and Barnardos for a fun-filled day of outdoor activities at the Auburn Centre for Community! This event is perfect for kids aged 6-12 years looking to have a blast playing games like tag, relay races, dodge ball and more. It’s a great way to make new friends and get some exercise in the fresh air. We encourage a packed lunch for an afternoon picnic.

When: Mon, 20 Jan 2025 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Where: Auburn Centre for Community, 44A Macquarie Road Auburn, NSW 2144

For more information follow this LINK.

Street Soccer

Street Soccer for 16+ all abilities

Free, inclusive social soccer in multiple locations. Get exercise, have fun and meet others.

When (Date and time)/Where:

Mondays – The Rocks – KGV Rec Centre – 2.30 – 4pm

Tuesdays – Mt Druitt – Town Centre Reserve – 1.00pm – 3.30pm – basic skill level

Thursdays – Parramatta – Robin Thomas Reserve – 3.30pm – 5.00pm

No need to register – just turn up – email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au if you have any questions. More info HERE.

Free Yoga and Pilates at Andrew Boy Charlton Pool

Yoga in the Park (Free)

ASC English classes - new dates and times

Learn English at Auburn and Newtown. Classes are available for a range of learner stages including basic, beginner, upper beginner, intermediate and advanced students.

For more information and to book: Email ce.events@asylumseekerscentre.org.au

English and computer classes

Drop in to Auburn Centre for Community to join a Computer class or English class run by Cumberland City Council.

Computer and English class: Wednesdays, 9:00am – 3:00pm

For more information visit this LINK.

TAFE English courses

Do you want to study English full-time? You may be able to study Certificate I-IV English for free at TAFE. You will need to have study rights and be on a bridging visa. Register your interest in the courses listed under ‘English for Further Study’