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Latest AFFORD News
NADO Expo
The Nepean Area Disabilities Organisation (NADO) Expo is coming up on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 October, at Panthers Pavilion, Penrith.
For further details see the NADO website, or download the flier here.
Away from the Sea
(August 2008)
Mt Druitt is a long way from the Pacific Ocean but Officers from HMAS Kanimbla didn't mind the inland road trip.
In another organised visit to an AFFORD Day Program site the Kanimbla crew spent time staff and clients as part of the ship's ongoing support of the Australian Foundation for Disability.
In a series of visits, clients of AFFORD Day Programs have been entertained on board HMAS Kanimbla and members of the crew in turn have visited AFFORD Day Program and AFFORD Packaging sites to meet and spend time with the disability clients and workers.
At Mt Druitt, Kanimbla Commander Stuart Taylor and LCDR Darren Rushworth joined AFFORD Chief Executive Officer, Tim Walton and Chief Operating Officer, Mark Gabites, for a catch up with, Day Program Team Leader Cheryl Halkett and Clients from the centre and others visiting from AFFORD’s Kings Park Day Program location.
Another happy winner!
It was quite a trip but well worth the effort!
The latest winner of the Cherrywood Raffle was more than happy to travel from Coffs Harbour to Penrith to pick up her first prize – a sparkling new Holden Viva car from Heartland Holden Penrith.
Suzanne Marlow (ticket # 011202) was handed the keys by Bob Sproule before heading back up the Pacific Highway to home.
And after supporting AFFORD’s Cherrywood Raffle that raises funds for people with disability since 2005, it was a deserving win.
Other winners in the Cherrywood Winter Raffle 82 were Mr J Fenton of Cessnock (2nd Prize Ticket No. 000172); and Ms M Lindoorn of Botany (3rd Prize Ticket No. 022332).
Tickets for the Spring Raffle are available on line.
Commonwealth Bank continues support
The Commonwealth Bank is continuing its sponsorship with the Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD) in its development of community awareness of disability.
“When you have the support of a recognised community business such as the Commonwealth Bank supporting your efforts, it gives both financial backing and credence to the efforts AFFORD is undertaking in the community”, says Tim Walton, AFFORD Chief Executive Officer.
AFFORD is currently developing its support for disability carers to help them resource additional services, respite and benefits to ensure those with disability in their care continue to be well protected.
Additionally, students with a disability are in increasing numbers taking advantage of ‘work experience’ with the AFFORD Packaging and Day Program sites to develop an understanding of the skilling and employment opportunities that are available once they leave school.
“AFFORD seeks to work with business entities – big and small – to help them achieve positive corporate social communication that benefits the communities we all live and work in,” added Mr Walton.
“When we can help improve understanding and co-operation within those communities it is a result of greater value to all.”
The Commonwealth Bank will officially present the sponsorship support at the opening of a new Respite House being opened by AFFORD at St Mary’s in September.
*For information on Work Experience opportunities contact link@afford.com.au / T: 8784 2900; or for Carer Support - patricia.berutti@afford.com.au / T: 9727 9199.
HMAS Kanimbla – a special Australia Day for AFFORD
26 January 2008
The smiles on Australia Day 2008 said it all.
More than 200 people joined the crew of HMAS Kanimbla to party into the evening and help raise funds for the Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD).
As the Royal Australian Navy band played jazz, the Australia Day partygoers were ferried out to the Kanimbla as it lay at anchor in Sydney Harbour – acting as the official flag ship for the day’s festivities.
With champagne on arrival – followed by fine food and refreshments - it was a spectacular sunset over the Sydney Harbour Bridge that set the mood for this special event.
The Commander and crew of the Kanimbla have chosen AFFORD as their charity of choice and this party on the harbour raised helpful funds to improve programs and facilities for the more than 1,000 people with disability in the care of AFFORD.
Guest at the fundraiser were also treated to the traditional lowering of the flag ceremony on deck – a rare opportunity for non-Naval people.
In all it was an event that helped celebrate this most important national day in Australia, brought a wide ranging group of people together, showed off the quality of our Navy, and helped raised funds for people with disability.
It was a wonderful Australia Day.
DisAbility is NOT a Dirty Word - WINNERS
November 2007
The NSW Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, will officially announce the winners of the Disability is NOT a Dirty Word competition at a special International Day of People with Disability ceremony in conjunction with AFFORD on December 3, 2007.
Entries are currently being assessed through a judging panel headed by Hunter Cordaiy, lecturer in Media and Film studies within the University of Western Sydney’s School of Communication Arts.
Winners will be advised by mail no later than November 20th, 2007 and will be asked to join the Minister to receive their prizes. A school representative will also be asked to attend to collect the school award.
HMAS Kanimbla offers rare Australia Day opportunity
November 2007
The Commanding Officer and crew of the HMAS Kanimbla are hosting a fundraising party for the Australian Foundation for Disability – AFFORD – on board the ship on Australia Day 2008 – and you can attend.
Guests holding pre-booked tickets will be ferried from Garden Island out to the Kanimbla which will be anchored in Sydney Harbour as the official flag ship for the Australia Day celebrations.
On board - food drinks and entertainment by the Royal Australian Navy Band will be provided as the sun sets over the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
So bring your family, friends, colleagues and clients our for this rare opportunity and an Australia Day you wont forget.
Pre bookings only - $200 per person with funds supporting AFFORD programs and services for people with disability.
Bookings:
Phone: 02 4777 4250
Email: scott.lockie@afford.com.au
Book online: secure credit card bookings
Mike Munro says Disability is Not a dirty word
MEDIA RELEASE, 16 AUGUST 2007
Channel nine journalist and presenter Mike Munro is publicly supporting an innovative advocacy campaign across western Sydney that boldly states disability is NOT a dirty word” [to be launched Friday August 17.2007].
disability is NOT a dirty word is being run by Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD), the not-for-profit-organisation that provides jobs, skills development and accommodation for people with disability in greater western Sydney.
A marketing competition based on the title will provide a total of $20,000 in prize money to year 9, 10 & 11 students in Western and South Western Sydney schools with $500 for individuals and $3,000 for winning schools
“Disability is NOT a dirty word and we should all have a better understanding of it and be inclusive of people with disability,” says the Mike Munro.
“This contemporary awareness campaign by AFFORD will give high school students a great opportunity to be involved and present their views of disability.”
The Commonwealth Bank and the NSW Departments for Disability and Education, the University of Sydney and Cumberland Newspapers are sponsors of the campaign.
“I am very pleased to be able to be involved in a direct way with a positive educational and advocacy campaign like this,” says Mike.
“I’ve done some previous work with AFFORD Link - the schools arm of the Australian Foundation for Disability that helps students with disability take on the transition to adult life.”
The NSW Minister for Education and Training, John Della Bosca, has written to high schools in the greater west encouraging them to be involved with disability is NOT a dirty word.
In a letter to Principals the Minister stated that “disability is NOT a dirty word goes to the heart of Department of Education and Training’s core value of ‘treating one another with dignity and respect’; and … it complements Key Learning Areas and can be aligned with desired curriculum outcomes.”
The Minister will officially launch the campaign on Friday at the Glenwood High school at 12.30 pm.
For more information: Central Communications Public Affairs – Don Willesee 9967 4466 / 0417 284 564.
Federal Minister opens AFFORD Western Sydney disability job centre
AUGUST 2007
A new business centre providing jobs for over 100 people with disability in Sydney’s West was opened by the Federal Minister for Community Services, Senator Nigel Scullion on Wednesday August 1, 2007.
The new supported employment centre at 50 Jedda Road–Prestons is operated by the Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD) the not-for-profit organisation providing jobs, skills development and accommodation for over 1100 people with disability in Sydney’s greater west.
Purchased and modified at a cost of $5 million, the multi purpose factory specialises in contract packaging, labelling and assembly work for external companies.
AFFORD Employment which provides over 600 jobs for Western Sydney workers with disability – and places suitable workers into open employment in mainstream businesses - will be centred at the new site.
The site also houses AFFORD Link – a department that provide information and work experience to help in the smooth transition of students with disability from high school to additional skills development and employment.
AFFORD Link is sponsoring a disability advocacy and awareness campaign – Disability is not a dirty word - which includes a school marketing development competition to be launched this term with prizes totalling $20,000.
“This Prestons site is a major financial commitment by AFFORD and one that provides Western Sydney people with disability job opportunities in comfortable and safe working conditions,” say Tim Walton, Chief Executive Officer of AFFORD.
The new site has indoor/outdoor canteen facilities, disability lift access between floors and operates under DisabilitySafe safe conditions which are improved and specialised OH&S standards for disability workers.
“Prestons provides workers with disability the best conditions available for this type of work in Australia and adds to the high standards AFFORD incorporates in all its five supported employment sites across the west and south west of Sydney,” adds Tim Walton.
New AFFORD Day Programs Community Participation
FEBRUARY 2007
AFFORD Day Programs have opened the first of eight new centres with the NSW Minister for Disability, the Hon. John Della Bosca officially launching the Green Valley centre.
In March the new Mt Druitt location will be complete and ready for its first clients and Windsor will follow shortly after.
The centres being opened by AFFORD Day Program’s are to provide skills development to help those with disability prepare for jobs and greater community involvement through Transition to Work and Community Participation programs.
AFFORD Day Programs is expected to operate up to fifteen sites over the next year or two – depending on need – and will provide this vital skills development for young people with disability across the greater western Sydney area.
For information about the DADHC funded Community Participation and Transition to Work programs through AFFORD contact AFFORD Link on 02 9734 9233 or link@afford.com.au
New Community Participation for Students with Disability
JULY 2006
School leavers and young people with disability in Sydney’s inner and greater western suburbs are to be provided with opportunities to help improve their skills and abilities in the community.
The Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD) is to set up eight (8) new Day Program Centres across Sydney to support an additional 240 school leavers and young people with disability.
AFFORD Day Programs already run six (6) sites (two in the Bankstown and Lakemba areas) and applications are now open for clients who are eligible for Community Participation Programs funded through the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care (DADHC).
AFFORD is a not-for-profit organisation that provide jobs, training and accommodation for people with disability in Sydney’s Greater West. Established in 1951 AFFORD now provide services for over 1,100 people with disability.
"The expansion of AFFORD’s Day Programs will see the need for the recruitment of an additional forty (40) staff to implement the Community Participation program across Sydney,” says Nicole Jackson, Manager of AFFORD Day Programs.
"The new Community Participation Program will encourage more involvement for people with disability within the local community, as well as developing their skills and learning."
Nicole Jackson says that while this expansion will be a challenge for AFFORD it reflects the confidence the community and the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care hold in the Organisation and AFFORD’s ability to provide these Community Participation programs.
Parents and carers of young people with disability are welcome to attend a series of Open Days at AFFORD’s established Day Programs to discuss the new opportunities [Kings Park July 31/Chipping Norton Aug 2/Ashfield Aug 3/ Lakemba Aug 4/ Condell Park Aug 7].
People interested in a career in Day Programs working with these young people with disability should also contact Nicole Jackson on 9727 9199, mobile 0405 137 941 or email nicole@afford.com.au |
