Aboriginal Support

Remote Outback Reading Project 

For a number of years, Jews for Social Action (JSA) has sent second hand magazines to remote outback Aboriginal community schools to assist with literacy and to provide information and school resources. We would love to get any copies of Australian Geographic magazines that you could spare as these are the most useful for the community schools. Contact jsa@nste.org.au

Early Support Aboriginal Literacy Project 

Join a team of volunteer literacy tutors providing support to indigenous children at primary schools in the Northern Sydney region. 

Nominated for the 2015 Rabbi Richard G. Hirsch International Social Action Award, and recognised in 2017 for 10 years of commitment to Aboriginal education with an Award from the Metropolitan North Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, this project continues to be needed.

Our tutors help the children raise the level of their literacy before they progress too far in the school system by providing one-on-one literacy sessions for 30-45 minutes per week. 

Biala Hostel Homework Program

Would you like to help Aboriginal high school students with their homework?

Volunteers are needed for a homework support program for Aboriginal girls living at Biala Hostel in Allambie Heights. Biala is a hostel where Aboriginal girls from the country board during school terms so they can attend high school in Sydney. Volunteer tutors visit the hostel on Tuesday evenings during school terms, to help the girls with their school homework. If you’re interested in tutoring at Biala, please contact JSA:  jsa@nste.org.au 

The Aboriginal Experience 

On an annual basis, JSA hosts ‘The Aboriginal Experience’ as part of the Guringai Festival. This involves Aboriginal people active in the local community sharing their thoughts on topics they feel passionate about. Speakers have included Dave Watts, Sue Pinckham, Dave Ella, Joanne Selfe, Lois Birk, Les McCloud and Julie Hendicott.

In June 2017, Mark Thorne (right), a facilitator with World Vision’s Young Mob Leaders Program, spoke at JSA’s 10^th Guringai Festival “Aboriginal Experience” event. The Program aims to promote confident and culturally proud Indigenous youth. Mark spoke of his own journey from a school age participant in the Program to becoming a facilitator and working in the juvenile justice system.  

For more information about any of these projects, please contact Jews for Social Action.