b"THE FARMNestled in the heart of Warrawong, Green Connect Farm is more than just a space to grow fresh produceits an oasis where former refugees in the Illawarra region can build skills, gain valuable work experience and find a sense of belonging in a new country. The Farm is the start of the journey for our casual staff, including young people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and former refugees, says Emily Henderson, Green Connect Farm Manager. Former refugees from rural backgrounds say it reminds themof home.03 The Farms unique landscapewith its diverse vegetation, hidden nooks and varied spacescreates a peaceful haven in the city. Its a welcoming space for anyone looking to build a safe, inclusive community GREEN CONNECT around them.Here, learning thrives. Our Employment to Work Program harnesses the Farm's natural setting for hands-on training, equipping participants with practical skills to gain paid employment with Green Connect or externally. Emily says, People come here, they feel safe, and they realise they have valuable skills to contribute; thats a powerful thing.The Farm acts as a training ground for our programs and services; whether its learning how to complete a waste audit for our Zero Waste services or preparing for work in our Ethical Labour Hire teamtheres a variety of skills our staff can learn here.Community partnerships are vital for the Farm to be the supportive hub that it is. Our new Friendship Garden, co-designed with local former refugee families and students from the Warrawong Intensive English Centre, has become a vibrant space for connection, regularly hosting groups from local refugee support organisations. It's a space for people to grow cultural crops and share knowledge, empowering them to takeThats the magic of the farm an active role in their new community.the Farm, it allows Whats really exciting though, says Emily, is that the Farm has equipped us with specialised knowledge,people to connect allowing us to better support former refugee communities beyond its borders. with their past, This year, through a Department of Home Affairscontribute to the Economic Pathwaysto Refugee Integration (EPRI) grant, we successfully extended our Employment to Workpresent and build Program into Western Sydney. Weve seen first-handhope for the future.that people thrive when they work and learn in a green space, and weve applied that learning in Sydney. EMILY HENDERSON - FARM MANAGER 28"