Online program bringing together migrant women in Sydney

COVID heightened the challenge of loneliness and isolation for recently-arrived migrant women; Not-for-profit Key Into Australia Inc. answers with a new program "Staying Connected"
Sponsored by the City of Sydney, "Staying Connected" is an online program bringing together migrant women in Sydney to meet, befriend and support each other

Sydney, June 2020- Key Into Australia Inc., a not-for-profit organization that supports migrant women, announced the launch of its latest program "Staying Connected", with the generous sponsor of City of Sydney (COVID Community grant 2020). Staying Connected brings together diverse women who are facing similar challenges of relocation (lack of social connections & job search) to meet, befriend and support each other. The program aims to create a welcoming and supportive community for women. The June to September program is a series of online free events (on Zoom) open to all women from multicultural backgrounds, including:

·     Virtual Friendship Café Our Friendship Café is a casual gathering for women new in Sydney to discuss together with open heart, in a warm and welcoming space. You'll be surprised to realize how much we can feel bounded by our shared experience of being new here. We are all facing the same challenges here. And we all need friends. (20.07.20, 5pm)

·      Job Support Group  Maintaining career momentum is one of the toughest challenges of relocation, and the more help you have the better. Facilitated by professional career experts, this meetup gives you crucial tips to adjust your job search strategy to Australian job market during COVID times. It is also a place to meet other job seekers, share experiences and support each other. (15.06.20 1pm-2pm & 13.07.20 12pm-1pm)

·        and Shared Interest Activities The idea is to make connections and reduce isolation by doing things together and learning. For example, in June, we will have a Workout to Stay fit at home session and in July, we are looking forward to the High Tea cookery class. (30.06.20 5pm-6.30pm & 28.07.20 1pm-2pm)

More dates in August and September TBC.

Making connections and developing friendships is a top challenge for recently-arrived migrant women and the lockdown has only made things worse. Among Key Into Australia's members, desire for friendship is spontaneously cited as top challenge of relocation by 66% (online survey, n=238). For many it takes years to make new friends and to feel at home. Good social connections are essential to help maintain physical and mental well-being.

Co-founder Maia Saxena explains "We stir friendships between women of different cultures who might not have met each other otherwise. This diversity enriches us. Despite their obvious cultural differences, our members have a lot in common, womanhood and the shared experience of being new in Sydney are a good common ground. Yet, it takes time to establish trust and build relationship. That's why we are more a community than event-organizers or an online social network, it is all about meeting regularly over time and taking the time to get to know each other." Co-founder of Novela Corda adds "Social connectedness is a big challenge today. We believe in the power of connections, and for the community, it means a lot more, it is about fostering inclusion, social cohesion, intercultural understanding & harmony".