The challenge for Gamarada in 2011 is sustainability, writes PIAC’s Indigenous Mens Access to Justice Worker and Gamarada director Ken Zulumovksi.
Commentary
Gamarada ran
two successful 10-week programs in Redfern during 2010 and a residential retreat in Bundanoon, offered in partnership with Quest for Life, attended by 19 men and boys.
The year concluded for Gamarada with an acknowledgement from the NSW Premier’s Department, which awarded Gamarada a NSW Premier’ Award for leadership in Aboriginal communities.
The Clover Moore Salary trust fund contributed $38,000 to Gamarada to enhance the cultural components of the program. This is consistent with Gamarada’s aim of promoting cultural renewal, helping to build Indigenous mens’ identity and self esteem and enhancing their capacity to resist drugs and crime.
In June 2010, Gamarada won a Federal Government contract to run a two-year project called Parental and Community Engagement (PaCE). The project aims to engage men in supporting their children’s education. PaCe will build on Gamarada’s achievements over the past three years, adapting the Gamarada model that combines healing, education and access to justice services.
The challenge for Gamarada in 2011 is sustainability. Sourcing funding for a full-time coordinator is a priority because the current funding arrangement with PIAC ends this May.
In January 2011, Gamarada met with senior Redfern police officers with a view to establishing a new partnership between the police and services such as Gamarada. The aim of such partnerships is to reduce clients’ contact with the criminal justice system. This can be achieved by supporting clients through many of the underlying issues that lead to domestic violence, drugs, alcohol abuse and mental illness.
Pictured are the men and boys who attended the 2010 Gamarada residential retreat at Bundanoon.