The SCCA’s mission is to provide support and social contact
to the disadvantaged, seniors and isolated members of the Spanish-speaking
community in Sydney,
as well as to their families and dependents. The need for such a service has
been proven by the successful registration of over 200 members in the
Redfern-Waterloo area in less than a year. According to Maria Legaz,
Chairperson of the SCCA, participation numbers are expected to continue growing
strongly with over 17,000 Spanish speakers living in Sydney
City and some 500 in South
Sydney alone.
The Association is run by a small group of volunteers which
meets from 11am to 4pm on Thursdays and Fridays at the Factory Community
Centre. In order to combat community isolation bus excursions, as well as
events like birthday parties and film nights, are organised, providing many
members of the Spanish-speaking community with a much needed social outlet. The
volunteers also make regular calls and house visits to members of the
community, help with filling out forms and applications, and translate. For the
most disadvantaged members of the community, the Association provides basic
material goods, like telephones and televisions, for a better standard of
living.
In the near future, the SCCA is looking to hold health
awareness seminars, and is currently in the process of organising regular
domino and cards nights, directed at senior Spanish-speaking men. In the more
distant future, Ms Legaz would like to see a Spanish community nursing home
built to cater for the needs of the many senior and disadvantaged members of Sydney’s Spanish-speaking
community.
Source:
South Sydney Herald October 2008 www.southsydneyherald.com.au