Working with community to support community
Since 2019 Serco has worked closely with Gurehlgam Corporation on First Nations cultural programs, initiatives, interventions and community projects.
Gurehlgam is an Aboriginal owned and run not-for-profit that aims to improve the life of Aboriginal people and families in Northern NSW. Their community hub is home to thirteen community services that include early childhood, aged care, family and domestic violence and cultural healing programs that Serco has been proud to support over the last four years.
Recently Serco worked with Gumbaynggirr woman and Gurehlgam Corporation CEO, Julie Perkins, to outfit their Clarence Valley Aboriginal Healing Centre. This safe space was established for people to come together to yarn, to support each other and learn together. Serco donated all new furniture for the centre and assisted with the delivery and installation of 17 pallets of stock.
Gurehlgam Corporation CEO Julie Perkins said the donation had been desperately needed to help continue to hold their weekly men's group, weekly women’s group, language community classes, Clarence Valley Goorie Interagency meetings and cultural awareness training in the space.
“It will make such a difference to our Centre,” Ms Perkins said.
Gurehlgam Corporation runs a specialist homelessness service in conjunction with Momentum Collective delivering support to First Nations people and families who are without shelter or at risk of becoming homeless in the Clarence Valley.
The project saw inmates at Clarence Correctional Centre complete a series of decorated recycled suitcases to help those facing homelessness in the upcoming winter season. Works were completed across the centre with four First Nations artists volunteering to be involved.
“Homelessness is quite prevalent in the local community and having a safe and secure way to carry your belongings can make a real difference to somebody living and sleeping rough,” Ms Perkins said.
“Working with Serco and CSNSW on projects such as this helps ensure, as a community, we continue to address the complex needs of some of the most disadvantaged people living in the Clarence Valley.”
Serco looks forward to continuing to partner with Gurehlgam Corporation in the local community. The team at Gurehlgam Corporation also deliver cultural programs inside Clarence Correctional Centre and work collaboratively with Serco‘s rehabilitation and reintegration team members to support inmates post release.