In 2014, United in Diversity (UiD) wanted to engage, support, and include Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) community members, who did not have the opportunities to share their talents and skills with the community.
The group participated in a brainstorm session facilitated by Inclusion Solutions to create their vision, mission and to determine their values. The group also had a logo designed and decided a new name under which to get incorporated under. Thus, United in Diversity WA Inc. was born.
United in Diversity did not want to go ‘shopping’ for ideas. They wanted to showcase their own cultures, skills and abilities as that would foster social cohesion and cultural integration.
They developed a simple motto – “Social cohesion and integration through employment and contribution”.
What happened next
UID started by participating in Inclusion Solution’s ‘Club Abilities’ Project in Armadale at the start of 2018 thus initiating a relationship with Armadale LGA. In the last four months of 2018, UiD members prepared and presented four monthly multicultural dining evenings in Armadale for approximately 250 people and displayed their ability to deliver Tastes of Diversity project in the Armadale community.
‘Tastes of Diversity’ produced meaningful social interaction for CaLD UiD members in the local community, developed English language skills and social confidence, increased work experience and developed potential employment pathways.
‘Kitchen of Diversity’ is a catering service started by CaLD UiD members in December 2018 and is an exciting catalyst to achieving greater social integration through employment and engagement with the wider community.