About VASS Established in 1986 State wide key service provider - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

About VASS  Established in 1986  State ‐ wide key service provider  Non ‐ religious, non ‐ political, incorporated, not ‐ for ‐ profit association overseen by a Board of Management  Central office in Broadmeadows with 3 other branches across Metropolitan Melbourne.

Mission  The Victorian Arabic Social Services is dedicated to addressing the social, cultural and welfare needs of the Arabic speaking background (ASB) communities inclusive to Assyrian and Chaldean communities in Victoria

Our Values  providing services to diverse community groups and members of the 22 countries in middle east whom mainly speaks Arabic, recognising their cultural and religious values  From a community development perspective we drive our work with clients and aim to develop the citizenship status of these communities through improved access to services, decision making and civic participation

VASS programs  Family Support and Strengthening Programs  Elderly Support Programs  Anti ‐ Racism Action Band (ARAB)  Settlement Services  Disability and Carer Support Programs  Mediation and Case work  Win back your life  VASS college of Vocational Education

VASS College of Vocational Education VASS College of Vocational Education, RTO ID No: 40936.  CHC30113 ‐ Certificate III in Childhood Education and Care  CHC50113 ‐ Diploma of Childhood Education and Care  HLTAID004 Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting

 Win back life Multilingual gambling support services

Problem gambling in Arabic communities on the rise…  Most prevalent in men aged between 17 and 30  Problem gambling affects the whole community not only the individual.  Most common in low socio ‐ economic areas  There is a stigma surrounding gambling help services and how gamblers would not actively seek help.  Language is a key barrier to seeking help  The need is in the community, VASS is ready to bring the community together and tackle problem gambling head on..

Problem Gambling Prevalence  Arabic communities are more likely to view gambling as a social activity and a source of entertainment and recreation, with an inclination for gambling at home or in cafes – constant involvement in gambling behaviours lead fast to gambling addiction

Problem Gambling Prevalence  VASS has encountered many clients and stakeholders connected to the clients affected by gambling.  This number has increased drastically every year and we are seeing an influx of the community engaging in gambling and displaying signs of behaviour associated with gambling.

Barriers:  language barriers,  social dislocation and isolation  little or no familiarity with the Australian gambling industry or available support services  Services need to develop a better understanding of attitudes to gambling and help seeking; risk factors for problem gambling; and how engagement on the issue of problem gambling can be improved.

Risk Factors

Win back Your Life ‐ Project Goals  strengthen relationships between individuals and groups within the diverse Arabic community;  provide counselling and financial counselling to groups and individuals;  develop stronger links between the Arabic Speaking Background community with Gambler's Help Services;  broaden the participation of people from Arabic speaking backgrounds in the recreation and cultural life;  build self ‐ protective culturally relevant strategies within the Arabic community, and  develop new education/information materials specific to Arabic communities