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ACSA
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ANTIOCHIAN COMMUNITY SUPPORT ASSOCIATION (ACSA)
ORIGINS
In late 2002 some members of St Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church started meeting
together to establish a body which would provide a range of community services for
Arabic speaking people in the south-eastern suburbs of Melbourne. This body, known
as the Antiochian Community Support Association (ACSA), gained incorporation on
11 September 2003. It now applies for and manages funds received from governments
and elsewhere to offer services on a non-sectarian and non-political basis. ACSA
seeks funding from private and government sources to offer a range of community
services separate from religious activities of St Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church.
It is a not for profit organisation.
NAME
The name indicates that ACSA is a subsidiary association of St Paul Antiochian Orthodox
Church but with a specific and separate focus on offering community support services.
PURPOSE
ACSA’s
mission is to serve Arabic-Speaking families and individuals (children, youth, women,
elderly and disabled people) living in the South-East region of Melbourne.
ACSA continues to seek funds to offer a range of services such as language and educational
classes; information sessions; employment assistance and skills; health services;
computer classes, sporting, recreational and cultural activities.
In offering these programs and services ACSA respects the ethic, cultural and sectarian
diversity of Arabic-speaking people and encourages their full participation in Australian
society.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to all members
of the St Paul Parish Association. Financial membership of the St Paul Parish Association
qualifies an individual for financial and therefore voting membership of ACSA. There
is also provision for Associate membership for those who are not members of the
St Paul Parish Association and are of Arabic speaking background.
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