Victorian based group Extended Families is launching a new program and expanding its services in Melbourne’s Southern Region to include Greater Dandenong, Casey and surrounding areas.
The new program, ‘Tham Gia’, that means ‘Join In’ in Vietnamese, was first established in the Western Region, and supports families and children living with disabilities.
The primary focus of ‘Tham Gia’ South is to create a supportive environment to meet others, develop essential social skills, and foster meaningful connections within their communities, irrespective of abilities or cultural backgrounds. It is funded by the Victorian Government, through the Home and Community Care (HACC) program.
‘Tham Gia’ South hosts a series of events including:
- Family Day: A social event held during school holidays that is open to all families from diverse cultural backgrounds, who have a child with a disability.
- Primary School Aged Children: An ‘action-packed’ school holiday event for primary school-aged children with disabilities from Vietnamese backgrounds. Children must be accompanied by an adult carer.
- Secondary School Aged Children: A social school holiday event for secondary school-aged children with disabilities from Vietnamese backgrounds. Children must be accompanied by an adult carer.
- The Explorer Club: A monthly inclusive social group, created for young adults between 16 and 25 with disability, from all cultural backgrounds.
For further information to join as a participant or volunteer visit: www.extendedfamilies.org.au