A St Albans-based learning support organisation that helps students from migrant or refugee backgrounds is in need of aid.
Edmund Rice Community & Refugee Services, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers homework assistance and mentoring programs for primary and secondary students, needs help on two fronts.
The organisation’s Tuesday night secondary school program is chronically understaffed and needs more volunteers to help ensure its long-term viability.
Edmund Rice Community & Refugee Services program co-ordinator Gudrun Philipp said anyone with a suitable background would be considered for a tutoring position.
“It helps to have a teaching background, but if someone has an area of specialty and feels confident explaining something at a secondary school level, then they’ll certainly be considered for the role,” Ms Philipp said.
The organisation’s primary school program is also in need of assistance.
The number of pupils wanting to take part in the primary program is so high
that the organisation can’t keep up with demand.
With numbers stretched, funding is needed to expand the program from two homework clubs to three.
The program is unable to accept new pupils until it’s in a position to be able to expand to three classes.
“We’d really love some assistance to expand to three clubs,” Ms Philipp said. “We’ve applied for a few grants, but have been knocked back a few times.
“We have a huge demand for additional clubs at the moment, but we’re understaffed so it’s difficult to get things going.
“We’d even love to be able to employ a grants writer, but sadly we’re not in a position to be able to do that.”
Ms Philipp said the in-demand services were being kept alive by community generosity.
“We get some great assistance from community donations and they’re something we really rely upon to ensure our long-term survival,” she said.
Details: ercrs.com.au
