Work experience offered through new partnership

If you’ve visited Riverwood Library and Community Hub recently, you may have met its latest recruit, Anthony Niforis.

Mr Niforis, is currently undertaking work experience at the library, as part of a partnership between the City of Canterbury Bankstown and Centacare, which provides employment, learning and social opportunities for people with intellectual disability.

"It gives me a chance to gradually learn the skills that I need to become a successful adult worker, in an environment where I can feel comfortable, calm, and where I will not be rushed into making changes I’m not ready for," Mr Niforis said.

"I want to become more accustomed to using public transport, to become familiar with the operation of work environments, make a couple of extra friends and be more organised."

Mayor Khal Asfour said the program is another example showing Council’s commitment to people with disability in the local community.

"We have more than 23,000 residents who need help in their day-to-day lives due to disability – almost seven per cent of our population," he said.

"It is great that we can work with groups like Centacare and find meaningful work for people with disability, to gain valuable skills and knowledge in an area they’re actually interested in."

Centacare Training Manager, Sandra Younes, welcomed the progress Anthony has made already.

"By enabling Anthony to work in one of its libraries, Council is setting the perfect example that there is a place for everyone in our society," she said.

"It is letting people with disability know, they should not settle for an average role, or just take what is given as that’s the best it’s going to get. There are opportunities out there for the taking, you just need to find organisations that are willing to make this happen for you.

"We believe this program is setting the benchmark. It is the first of many joint initiatives with the Council."

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