At just 20 years old, Yasmin made the courageous decision to flee from Somalia with her two-year old son.
Arriving in Australia as a refugee in 2015, the family were placed into social housing.
Needing an income to support herself and her son, Uniting’s Social Housing Employment Program (SHEP) helped Yasmin find a job as a cleaner.
Despite having to face the linguistic, cultural and political challenges that come with being a refugee in Australia, Yasmin has flourished.
She has excelled in her career, her employer reporting that he is very happy with her work and has even asked if she is available to work further hours.
Uniting’s Employment Coach has helped ensure Yasmin’s job fits around her son’s school times, booking Before and After School Care when needed. They have also assisted in placing her son into school holiday programs during term breaks.
Her employer has been sensitive to her personal needs, allowing Yasmin to work four days a week during the month of Ramadan.
Yasmin’s confidence has been growing day by day as she builds a brighter future for herself and her son.
SHEP is a new initiative which will create 200 jobs, for people like Yasmin who are living in social housing.
The program offers a minimum 12 months of secure work for jobseekers who are social housing residents, people living with a disability, women (particularly over 45), the long-term unemployed, people aged 18-25, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, veterans and those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
The Minister for Employment, Jaala Pulford recently announced the $3 million initiative.
“People living in social housing will benefit greatly from this initiative through creating jobs for residents and delivering better services,”, Pulford said.
“We’re backing all Victorians to get the skills and opportunities they need to secure jobs in the social housing sector.”
Uniting Vic.Tas are proud to be the service provider chosen to deliver this program.
*This is a true story about a real person. Some details such as names have been changed to respect the wishes of the person featured.
