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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.