Heartlands 2019 open for submissions
AMES Australia invites young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to submit digital stories reflecting their experiences, challenges, achievements and aspirations.

Much of what we see in the media about refugees, migrants and emerging communities is portrayed through the prism of mainstream society.

Heartlands 2019 is an opportunity for culturally and linguistically diverse youth to tell their own authentic stories using accessible digital tools; and to have a voice in the public conversation around migration and multiculturalism.

Short-listed emerging artists will be exhibited at The Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, Dandenong from the 4 – 27 July 2019 and will be awarded enrolment in a digital arts course.

Using your smartphone or other digital device, create a digital story which can be either a short video (up to three minutes), or a series of still photographs, or a graphic design that responds coherently to the theme: ‘Exploring the challenges, achievements and aspirations of refugee and migrant youth’. Entries close 31 May 2019.

If you know anyone who may be interested in taking part, please send them the following link to more information and how to submit their artwork.

https://www.ames.net.au/heartlands-2019

Impact Day gives AMES students insights into employment opportunities
Corporate staff members from retail giant 7-Eleven attended Impact Day events at AMES Australia sites at Box Hill, Dandenong and St Albans last week.

The 7-Eleven staff gave AMES Australia students valuable insights into the Australian job market and the way major companies go about recruiting staff.

They also took part in panel discussions and formal one-on-one interviews and group interview sessions, giving students priceless experience in the process of getting a job.

AMES Australia Manager Corporate & Stakeholder Engagement Susy Barry said the facilitators all did great jobs and the program was well structured with plenty of time for the activities and for individual feedback.

“A huge thank you to the 7-Eleven team who all worked really hard,” Susy said.

“At Box Hill Mark Nance, 7-Eleven’s Retail State Manager for Victoria, ran impromptu group interviews and two groups of students had lots of fun interacting and learning to speak about the benefits of possible products,” she said.

“Board Chair Mike Smith, Community Engagement Manager Janita Friend and others ran individual interviews and everyone seemed very pleased with the experience they gained.

“The students were noticeably more confident when they left.

“At the wrap up, Mark said how pleased he was that 7-Eleven has partnered with AMES Australia and he and Janita have already begun to talk about further opportunities for group interview practice and possible retail work experience opportunities.

“The 7-Eleven Chair told us how much he was impressed by the work AMES Australia does and how pleased he is of the new partnership,” Susy said.

AMES youth clients get a taste of hospitality
A group of AMES Australia youth services clients who are disengaged and struggling to find employment or education opportunities have been introduced to the possibility of working in hospitality.

The group were introduced to the world of hospitality and got behind the scenes of a working café at Zen Den café in Eltham.

The event, on the evening of April 9, saw members of the group acquire hands on experience working in a café.

AMES Australia Youth Services Manager Jonathan Mitchell said the session was part of AMES’ mission to work with young people from refugee, migrant and indigenous backgrounds to ensure they are equipped with everything they need to reach their potential and build meaningful lives in Australia.

“Through a combination of specialist support services, education programs, knowledge sharing, career counselling, advocacy and social participation initiatives, we are working to remove the barriers young people face as they establish their lives in Australia,” Jonathan said.

“The evening was a great success and all of the participants enjoyed it while also benefitting from the experience and guidance of the amazing staff at Zen Den,” he said.

The groups were given a presentation by Zen Den staff and then took part in interactive, fun exercises.