An outreach service for immigrant and refugee women in Victoria will receive $5,000 in funding from Optus, as part of the Optus Connecting Communities Grant Program.

The financial support, awarded to The Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's Coalition (VIRWC), will help reduce social isolation for those in need. The not-for-profit organisation undertakes lobbying and advocacy on behalf of immigrant and refuge women, running projects that empower women, helping them access employment and avoid separation in their new community.

"Moving to a new country can be isolating and many immigrants and refugees face environmental and social stress adapting to their new home," Melba Marginson, Executive Director at VIRWC said.

"This generous grant from Optus will allow VIRWC to continue running specialised courses that assist immigrant and refugee women to gain leadership and community skills, which will inturn enable them to access employment and other services they are entitled to," Ms Marginson said.

"Optus is proud to support the work VIRWC is doing. We are assisting these community projects as part of our commitment to reconnect disadvantaged people and enable them to build a better future for themselves and within their community," Jann Kohlman, Optus Group Manager, Sponsorship and Community Programs said.

This year, Optus awarded close to $150,000 to 31 Australian not-for-profit organisations, as part of its annual Optus Connecting Communities Grants Program. The funding, of up to $5,000 per project, will help reduce social isolation for those in need and reconnect disengaged youth in the community. It is an essential part of Optus' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

In addition to the Community Grants Program, Optus supports 13 charity partners nationally, including Mission Australia, World Vision, Youth off the Streets and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy, Kids Helpline and The Starlight Children's Foundation.

Media contact:
Tracy Woodley
Optus Corporate Affairs
Tel: (02) 8082 5302