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Quirky Kid was selected as a consultant organisation for STARTTS’ Communities in Cultural Transition program, extending the organisation’s work beyond psychology services into community development and capacity building.
STARTTS’ Communities in Cultural Transition program supports non-funded associations and groups from newly arrived, small and emerging communities from refugee backgrounds to strengthen leadership, governance and organisational capability.
Quirky Kid’s involvement focused on helping community groups build the practical structures needed to manage their own organisations, develop projects and increase their capacity to participate in Australian community life.
Community development through practical capability building
The project included work with communities from a range of refugee backgrounds, including Mandaean, Karen, Hazara, Sierra Leonean, Liberian, South Sudanese, Burundian and Congolese communities.
Leonardo Rocker represented Quirky Kid as principal consultant on the project, drawing on his background in social development and community capacity building.
Why the partnership mattered
STARTTS describes Communities in Cultural Transition as a strength-based program designed to help refugee-led groups build leadership, governance and organisational independence. Consultancy areas can include governance, incorporated-association requirements, project management, leadership, training and submission writing.
For Quirky Kid, participating in the program reflected a broader commitment to child and family wellbeing that recognised the importance of strong communities, social connection and capable local organisations.
A broader view of child and family wellbeing
The STARTTS project forms part of Quirky Kid’s earlier community-development history, where psychology, social development and community capacity building intersected.
The work also led to direct community-based activities, including leadership and governance workshops with members of Sydney’s Sudanese community.
