Celebrating Years 25th Annual Report 25 VOLUNTEERS 2017 · Here are the Centre’s achievement in 2015-2016: 1. Volunteer Coordination Program • Clients – 152 vivor!• Hours

25th Annual Report2017 Calendar

25 YearsCelebrating

of Volunteering VOLUNTEERS

Message from the Honorary Consulof the Philippines in Melbourne

Christmas 2015 at The Dove.

This year Consul Pintado together with Pilita Corales honours our AFCS Senior Leader, Mrs Ludy Dellamas.

Mabuhay!I am delighted to be able to offer my wholehearted congratulations to the Australian Filipino Community Services Inc (AFCS) and its dedicated team on the occasion of its 25th Anniversary of service.As a not-for profit, and charitable organisation that seeks to promote harmony and wellbeing to all Filipinos and multicultural communities in Australia, over the years the AFCS has been true to its Vision of providing leadership in proactive services for Australian Filipinos across generations.In its 25th anniversary year, I congratulate the AFCS for providing key programs including Aged Care Social Support programs, volunteer coordination, carers kitchen, chaplaincy services and referrals to counselling services, supported by funding from the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments under the HACC program.

In particular, I acknowledge the outstanding contribution of AFCS volunteers, who demonstrate what it means to have compassion, humanity, strength, and kindness every day.

True to their theme, “Go volunteers!”, the countless hours of dedication given freely by AFCS volunteers make our community brighter for those in need. Their actions foster a spirit of inclusion for those who may feel alienated from their families, their friends, and their neighbours. Your generosity of spirit is both honourable and humbling.I commend the AFCS for its outstanding efforts in celebrating and nourishing our Filipino identity, and the richness we bring and share in a spirit of multiculturalism.Because of its many contributions, it is right for us to pause to acknowledge this 25th Anniversary of the Australian Filipino Community Services and say thank you to the many people who have made it effective and successful.Maligayang ikadalawangpu’t limang anibersaryo at Mabuhay ang AFCS!

Felix PintadoHonorary ConsulPhilippine Consulate of Victoria

Managing Director’s Report

I am honoured to reach this very important year in our organisation and to deliver the 25th Annual Report to our community.

I will not be able to write this report without the support of our Board of Directors, staff and volunteers who have been faithfully caring for our members. Despite the many challenges we faced this year– the passing of our dear Chairperson Cynthia Norton, our previous Chair, Mrs Ching Chavarria, as well as two of our members, Mr Catayas and Mrs Encio, I am blessed to have a team of dedicated staff who continues to encourage everyone in the program to keep going. “Weeping may last through the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”

Here are the Centre’s achievement in 2015-2016:

1. Volunteer Coordination Program • Clients – 152 • Hours spent assisting clients- 17,986 volunteer hours • Volunteers recruited- 29

2. Partnership Programs a) SMR Partnerships • Planned Activity Group with Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre & Dandenong Baptist Church • Brokerage Program with Casey Council – Crafts PAG with Hispanic speaking seniors • Social Connections CAFE

b) EMR PARTNERSHIPS • East Burwood Centre- Filipino Seniors Positive Living Program • Villa Maria partnership Respite Program • MEMORY LANE CAFÉ for Filipinos Living with Dementia, Alzheimers Australia Vic

3. Ageing Well Activities • Gardening • Composting • Sewing Group • Seniors Computer Class • Seniors Bamboo Band • Filipino Carers Kitchen • Home Visits

4. Public Forums and Celebrations • MY GRANDPARENTS ARE FANTASTIC • Advance Care Planning Forum • Prevention of Elder Abuse • Cardinia Harmony Day • Participation to Senior Men’s White Ribbon Day • Annual Christmas Party • Mother’s Day Lunch and Recognition of Volunteers • Launch of Amigos para Siempre

All of these activities are presented in this calendar with beautiful photos that tell our volunteers’ fantastic job.

Thank you to all volunteers past and present and to the Board of Directors for their support. Celebrate volunteers-- our 25th year of community volunteering.Good on you!

Norminda Villanueva FortezaChaplain

Mother’s Day 2015 at The Dove.

Resilience

is the strength and capacity to adapt well in the face of adversity.

It is the act of springing back as best as you can.

Being told you have cancer is devastating.

You can walk through those doors as a

Victim, or walk through as a

Survivor!Be determined to live well.

– Cynthia Leoncio-Norton

Cynthia Norton (1949-2016)

On Australia Day we come together as a nation to celebrate what’s great about Australia and being Australian. It’s the day to reflect on what we have achieved and what we can be proud of in our great nation. It’s the day for us to re-commit to making Australia an even better place for the future.

Australia Day

In our Centre – The Filipino Carers Kitchen serve Australian diverse foods....

Celebrate Australia Day!

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SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

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New Year’s Day

Australia Day

Our Vision

To provide leadership in proactive services for Australian Filipinos across generations

The Australian Filipino Community services is a not-for profit, and charitable organisation that seeks to promote harmony and wellbeing to all Filipinos and multicultural communities in Australia through the following activities:

l to respond to people in need with compassion, charity, and pastoral care;l to offer welfare services to disadvantaged families and individuals, aged, vulnerable women

and children l linkup migrants to other agencies by active participation in the workforce, civic life,

community education and volunteering;l preserve the Australian Filipino cultural heritage What WE DO?

The main programs are:

l Aged Care Social Support Programsl Volunteer Coordinationl Carers Kitchenl Chaplaincy Servicesl Referrals to Counselling Services

For the first time our agency is extending its work to the community by providing a Community Services Chaplain who can provide:

l Pastoral carel Home Visitationl Prayer and Spiritual nurturel Referral and informationl Assist in your church needs and ceremonies

Being a volunteer of AFCS has given me an opportunity to help members of our community especially the seniors. I want to give back to the community and it gave me satisfaction which is

different from a paid job – Virginia Wright

TREASURER’S REPORT2015-16 financial year has brought us an opportunity to work harder and secure grants to support our programs.

We are grateful to the support of the Australian Government, the Victorian Government, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the City of Casey for their financial support.

AFCS extends our gratitude to the staff and volunteers who tirelessly gave their time and support throughout the year. Their input is valuable and inspiring.

Above all, we thank God for his provisions to our community.

The full financial audited report is published in our website and is available upon request.

Ruby OcampoTreasurer

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My Grandparents are Fantastic! Held at Wilson Botanic Garden, Berwick


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Valentine’s DayCelebration

Diversity at The Dove Wellbeing Centre

Cultural Diversity Week is held annually to coincide with the United Nations

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March,

and is an opportunity for Victorians to come together to share their culture,

faith and language.

Every year during Cultural Diversity Week, hundreds of events are held

around Victoria, celebrating our diverse communities and the benefits that

multiculturalism brings to our State.

Cultural Diversity Week is a great way for all Victorians to come together

and find out more about the amazing diversity and rich cultural heritage

of our State.

Bilingual Counselor Dina Delfino on a day outing with AFCS clients and friends.

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Labour Day

Volunteers contribute to the wellbeing of many seniors and members of the community.

Diverse Gardeners at the Tom Houlahan Community Garden

Volunteers assist with Easter Crafts

Volunteering makes me feel special

and valued so I take it as a gift

to others..... a gift of myself.....

Partnership with

Ventana Hispana

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30 1

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23 24 25 26 27 28 29ANZAC Day

Volunteering helps me to share my culture from El

Salvador and to create something

beautiful.

Amigos Para Siempre Volunteering Program

Easter Sunday Easter Monday

Good Friday

Lunch Special A joint celebration organised by the AFCS and the Southern Migrant and Refugee Centre

Mother’s

As a new migrant, I found a place where I can help and feel I belong. Thanks to volunteering at AFCS.

Day

May

2017


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Mother’s Day Celebration

I love volunteering because I’m giving my time back to our community.

I make social connections – Amparo Lobriza, Crafts Program Coordinator

Volunteering is Fun at AFCS

Mr Ado AguilarMrs KRZ AguilarAllan GuillarteAdelleAlma BelinoVicki DwightAura MartinezEdgardo SanchezElla ZaparinHyde Nunuvero

Gilberto RochaLorna NatividadManuel BustosRosa HuamaniSara CusperoVirginia WrightNeil Wright MargaritaRennae PurcellReuben MedinaLucilla EspinosaDina DelfinoJulia Neria

Volunteering in AFCS is a unique experience, it’s fun and fulfilling

– Josie Forteza

VOLUNTEERS

New VolunteersRohieJoanna MarenJosie Forteza - Outstanding New VolunteerMaria Gallardo - Outstanding New VolunteerMyrta Bianco - Outstanding New VolunteerHector VidalMarlene LegettArmand JavellanaIsabel AravenaEmmanuel VargaJelena Verceles

Celebrate 25 years of volunteering in the community Founding Member of Centre

for Philippine Concerns Australia since 1991

Volunteering in CPCA now AFCS is educational and

fun experience. You get to meet different people from different

cultural backgrounds and makes you feel you are truly part of a community working

and learning together

– Gabby Ocampo

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Volunteering is fun specially when we have to promote Filipino BBQ! It’s yummmm! Corina, Rowyn, Sophia

Queen’s Birthday

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

CELEBRATING...

WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY & PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENCE DAY (118 YEARS OF FREEDOM)WEDNESDAY 15TH of JUNE 2016 | 78 POWER ROAD DOVETON 3177

Proudly sponsored by ECCV and Seniors Rights VictoriaBrought to you by Australian Filipino Community Services

For help with elder abuse: 1300 368 821

July

2017


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Lucy Salinas, Manager of Ventana Hispana

loves her volunteering - cheers!

Conversation with men

Diverse M

en in Garden

AGM 2014 group photo with Mr Eddie Micalleff, ECCV Chairperson

Senior Men from different backgrounds participate in creative recycling

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Victorian School of Languages (VSL Filipino class 2015)

Parol Making

Piñata Making

Felix Pintado Philippine Honorary Consul in Melbourne feels proud to be a recipient of the one and only pink parol – a beautiful achievement and appropriate to promote our cultural heritage. Thanks to City of CASEY Brokerage program, we were able to create beautiful parols.

“I had a great time completing this giant parol for the December exhibition together with my wife, Virginia and my brother in-law. We completed it at home with my good friend on my shoulder.”

-Neil Wright

“As a volunteer teacher, I felt

valued and acknowledged with

my craft. It’s been very uplifting.”

-Conrado Aguilar

Thanks Hispanic Seniors for their support through Ventana Hispana

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As a volunteer qualified beautician, I want to make sure my participants are

happy and pretty! Lucila, newly arrived

from Peru.

Peter Morgan, Food Ambassador from Hammond Care empowering

our carers with health meals

AFL Grand Final

2105 Public Forum on Advance Care Planning

Filipinos ageing in a foreign land

Then let your voice

be heard...

“Would your family, friend or doctor know your wishes if you become suddenly ill and unable to speakup?”

Planning ahead

Carers and their

challenges

Information on signs of dementia

Issues on ageing well

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Our Chaplain received the Southern Migrantand Refugee Centre Lifetime Award.

AGM 2015 guest, Gwen Loke, Program and Service Adviser,

DHHS.

White Ribbon Day is Australia's campaign to stop violence against women White Ribbon Day

White Ribbon is Australia’s only national, male led Campaign to end men’s violence against women.

Vision: All women live in safety free from all forms of men's violence.

Mission: Making women's safety a man's issue too.

White Ribbon Australia observes the International Day of the Elimination of Violence against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, annually on November 25.

White Ribbon Day signals the start of the 16 Days of Activism to Stop Violence against Women, which ends on Human Rights Day (December 10).

White Ribbon Day

White RibbonDay 2017

I will stand up, speak out and act to prevent men’s violence against

women

White RibbonAustralia

TAKE THE OATH NOW


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No

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Melbourne Cup

Maria Theresa Yambao, (Third from Left) President of the Philippine Baptist Women’s

Missionary Union.

Board of Directors

Chairperson: Cynthia NortonRetired with more than 10 years experience in Office administration and Seniors Advocacy.

Treasurer: Ruby Ocampo Retired Teacher, Business Professional with 20 years experience.

Vice Chair: Maria SmithQualified Secondary Teacher in Scoresby Secondary College, more than 10 years experience in teaching. Writer in Philippine times, VSL Coordinator, Tagalog class.

Managing Director: Norminda Forteza Chaplain and Qualified Social Welfare Officer, 21 years experience in community work, BA Applied Psychology, Grad Social Welfare(Monash University, 2000) Grad Dip Family and Early Childhood Services (Melbourne University, 1996).

Secretary: Perla Maize 25 years experience in Community Services work, fulltime Bookkeeper. Qualified Community Development Worker (Chisholm TAFE).

Liza Chunduri (resigned 2015), Qualified Trainer.

Albert Abarquez Community Volunteer since 1998, recipient of Victorian Multicultural Commission Award for Excellence in Community Service

During the “UBE (PURPLE) DAY” with the Board to raise awareness about Prevent Elder Abuse CampaignPhoto taken during 2015 Parol Piñata Exhibition

Dove Wellbeing Centre

Maligayang Pasko

sa inyong Lahat!

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Christmas Day Boxing Day

As a volunteer, Mrs Fe Gillies (middle) always take time to listen with her heart and enjoy the company of others.

Pasko na naman!

Community volunteers support Filipinos age well.

Australian Filipino Community ServicesThe Dove Wellbeing Day Centre 78 Power Road Doveton VIC 3177

Phone: (03) 9701 3421 • Fax: (03) 9701 3683 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.afcsvictoria.org.au

Our Vision:

To provide leadership in proactive community services for Australian Filipinos across generations.

Documents

Celebrating Years 25th Annual Report 25 VOLUNTEERS 2017 · Here are the Centre’s achievement in 2015-2016: 1. Volunteer Coordination Program • Clients – 152 vivor!• Hours