Initiatives

Jeeran Arabic Playgroup

  • Target participants: Arabic speaking families of children ages 0-5
  • Partners: Thomastown neighbourhood house and Thomastown Library
  • Number of sessions: ongoing weekly school term since Term 3 2023
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Number of participants: 40+ families
  • Location: Thomastown Library

Children between 0-5 years old of refugee background have been disadvantaged due to their long refugee experience, most of them are called COVID babies and the strain on social support services in the north. Jeeran would like to bridge this gap by fostering social connection, community access and trust in a fun, inclusive and culturally/ linguistically safe environment. 

 

Our playgroup meets the needs of refugee children aged 0 to 5 and their families by offering a safe, inclusive and fun environment for learning and playing. We provide weekly bilingual workshops at community centres, led by trauma-informed care specialists, to build a sense of belonging. Each term ends with trips to local play and art spaces, which help children and families integrate into the community while also making them feel supported and connected.

Women's Wellbeing Circle

  • Target participants: Arabic speaking women of refugee backgrounds
  • Partners: Foundation House
  • Number of sessions: ongoing weekly school term since August 2021
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Number of participants: 100+ participants over the years
  • Location: Various: Galada Community Centre, Janefield Community Centre and Zoom during lockdown

During lockdown, Jeeran’s founder proposed to Foundation House to partner on delivering a mental wellbeing workshops to alleviate the side effects on this cohort of women of our community. The workshops started over zoom and grew steadily in numbers and interest since 2021. We have transitioned to F2F over the years and evolved with our participants responding to various needs post lockdown. 

 

The topics of the workshops vary vastly and have an element of co-design with the participants of women of all ages from mid 20’s to their late 70’s. The topics could involve anything from the discussion of Self care, confidence, goal setting, time management, benefits of journaling, identity, home, parenting between cultures. 

Workshops are highly attended as they are delivered by bicultural, certified and well experienced group facilitators who have over 7 years exp working in leadership, youth coaching and providing cultural awareness workshops. 

Aging Gracefully Care Finder Awareness Project

  • 2024-ongoing
  • Target participants: Arabic speaking seniors and their families
  • Partners: WiseMed Services  
  • Number of sessions: 6 months project over social media and F2F
  • Number of participants: 60
  •  Location: Various: AhlulBait Mosque, Church
  • Project Link: Aging Gracefully IG handle

In collaboration with organizations like Wintringham, Darebin City Council, and Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre, Aging Gracefully has been successfully launched for at-risk older adults needing access to aged care and community support. Partnering with WiseMed Services, which provides culturally safe multidisciplinary allied health services in Melbourne’s Northern Western suburbs, the initiative aims to integrate care finder services with primary and allied health systems.

 

This project addresses the specific needs of the Arabic-speaking community, particularly refugees, who often struggle to navigate the Australian health system. By promoting awareness of My Aged Care Services, it empowers older individuals to receive the support they need while remaining at home with their families—reflecting the community’s cultural values of respecting and caring for the elderly.

Group Facilitation Staff Training

  • Target participants: Lalor Neighbourhood House Staff 
  • Partners: Lalor Neighborhood House
  • Number of sessions: Annual
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Number of participants: 12 staff
  •  Location: Lalor Neighbourhood House

Jeeran Community Services Inc. successfully delivered staff training focusing on Communication Skills as well as Group Facilitation. The workshop trains participants to improve their skills and gain practical experience in Group Facilitation. The topic was covered in three-hour segment in interactive and hands on discussion circle style.

Self Defence Workshop for Muslim Women

  • Target participants: Muslim girls and women 14+
  • Partners: Anne Pang Self Defence and Unity Libyan Youth
  • Number of sessions: Once-off Event
  • Year: Oct 2024
  • Duration: 3.5 hours
  • Number of participants: 40
  • Location: Galada Community Centre

Our amazing martial arts teacher was Anne Pang, who is a renowned martial artist who started training in 1974 in the art of Wing Chun kung fu and founded her own system of women self defence. Our instructor is an inspiration to all women, having won multiple awards and developed a comprehensive program to encourage women to find their own voice, inner strength and peace.

Walking Thomastown

  • Target participants: Locals in the Northern Suburbs
  • Partners: Thomastown Neighbourhood House, City of Whittlesea 
  • Number of sessions: Annual, August 31 
  • Duration: 3 hours,6-9pm
  • Number of participants: 2000 locals
  • Location: Thomastown Recreation Reserve

Jeeran was involved in the Moving Portraits project at the Walking Thomastown event, with our founder Zara projected onto the peppercorn trees in the reserve near the Lutheran Church. The Walking Thomastown event on Saturday 31 August was a evening of live music, performances and light shows. It was an incredible night for the whole family!

Merri Health Professional Training Communication skills Workshop 2023

  • Target participants: Professional Training to Community Champions Staff
  • Partners: Merri Health
  • Number of sessions: Once off July 2023
  • Duration: 6 hours
  • Number of participants: 12 staff
  • Location: Fawkner Neighbourhood House

Jeeran Community Services Inc. successfully delivered training and development workshops focused on the topics of teamwork, communication, and self-care. These workshops provided participants with the opportunity to enhance their skills and gain practical insights into group facilitation. 

 

Each topic was covered over three hours, allowing the training to be completed either in three separate sessions or across one and a half days. Every session included a structured agenda with introductions, icebreaker activities, group agreements, educational content, group activities, discussions, and feedback.

 

Jeeran’s training approach was based on a strength-based model, ensuring the workshops were interactive and engaging. Led by experienced and certified facilitators, the sessions aimed to build participants’ capacities in essential areas such as leadership, goal setting, time management, cultural awareness, and self-care. This project supported participants in gaining valuable skills applicable to team operations and organisational growth.

Youth Mental Health Panel Discussion

  • Target participants: Mental Health Professionals 
  • Partners: Orygen Health Centre 
  • Number of sessions: Once off 
  • Duration: 3 hours
  • Number of participants: 40 professionals 
  • Location: Orygen HQ, Parkville

Further details to be posted.

Yoga Workshop for Muslim Women

  • TBC

Further details to be posted.