Access Community Group (ACG) has been delivering high quality federally, state and locally funded programs in the Illawarra for over 26 years. ACG's vision is to work with the community to build and encourage social and environmental sustainability across the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands. We are a not for profit, charity whose main focus community development and social justice. Programs currently being delivered include:

Youth Connections is a youth engagement program aimed at supporting young people between the ages of 11 to 19, who are at risk of disengaging or who have disengaged from education to make a smooth transition through school or from school to an alternative pathway. ACG will deliver this program across the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands. Previously, we have successfully delivered the Youth Pathways program throughout the Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Highlands regions to approximately 1000 young people per year for the past four years. Prior to this ACG successfully delivered the Jobs Pathways Program for five years.  For more information contact Rosanna Cepero (Illawarra) 0414 958 984 or Cathie McGill (South Coast/Southern Highlands) 0434 538 223.

Voluntary Post Release Support Service (VPRSS) is to support clients under the supervision of the NSW Department of Juvenile Justice to make a smooth transition back into the community, by addressing barriers to community reintegration. For more information contact Darren Bell on 0431 497 054. This program is an individualised, intensive Case Management Support program.

Disability Employment Service for young people focuses on one to one case management with clients that have mental health issues with a focus on gaining sustainable employment/training. This intensive Case Management service further assists with referrals to appropriate services such as Psychologist, Health Care Professions and other Community Agencies. Contact Larissa Daniel on 0431 148 817.

Access All Areas (AAA) is a permaculture & life skills program for young people aged 13-18 that have been engaged in the Juvenile Justice system.  It is based around the basic construction of a vegetable garden. Participants receive hands on and some class room training in the permaculture/horticulture field, as well as a large component of job seeking and life skill elements, including healthy living, job readiness, drug and alcohol education, anger management as well as other identified needs.  The aim of AAA is to provide support and training which will increase the participant's chances of further employment and increase their positive participation and contribution to the community.

The Post Release Support program (PRS) offers assistance to people who have recently exited custody or been placed on a supervised order. The main goal of PRS is to support clients to overcome their barriers to employment. Clients have a case manager who works closely with them and other services to achieve holistic support. Contact Kim Robin on 0434 381 612 or Bruce Hain on 0408 851 078.

Disability Employment Service focuses on one to one case management with clients that have mental health issues with a focus on gaining sustainable employment/training. This intensive Case Management service further assists with referrals to appropriate services such as Psychologist, Health Care Professions and other Community Agencies. Contact Larissa Daniel on 0431 148 817.

Volunteering is a big part of ACG culture. With IMB funding, ACG developed a pilot volunteer mentoring program in 2009. Access Mentoring Program was a program linking volunteer community member's with young people in local schools & youth projects, promoting the development of one on one mentoring relationships with the aim to help young people recognise their strengths and achieve their goals. This program has now been integrated into all programs delivered by ACG and we currently have volunteers working in many different aspects of the organisation including the garden, admin and maintenance. To volunteer, contact Rachelle Calder on 0408 851 579.

Social Business

Access Temps is a temporary personnel agency which focuses on women wishing to return to work after a break. Access Temps offers a high quality personalised service; is not for profit so has reasonable administration charges; provides training people in the skills needed; and provides flexibility employment opportunities to employees. Contact Sara Berry on 0434 537 522.

National Green Jobs Corps is an Australian Government initiative that provides accredited training and work experience opportunities in the developing green skills and climate change industries. To be eligible you need to be an Australian citizen or permanent resident aged between 17 - 24 years, not working more than 15 hours per week, or in full time education.

Participants are able to work on projects that make environmental improvements now and develop green skills for the future. Contact Benn Wolhuter on 0408 851 078.

Environmental Services are also currently developing the outdoor area at the back of ACG Corrimal office into a Permaculture Garden Site. It is used to run workshops and work experience projects; and engagement activities for participants involved with other ACG programs. ACG are involved in a Network of Permaculture Garden Sites, and currently facilitate the development of the Community Gardens (currently at Barrack Heights Community Garden, funded by Shellharbour City Council), Cringila Park Community Food Project, and Shoalhaven PCYC Permaculture Garden. We also run fee for service permaculture training. Contact Benn Wolhuter on 0408 851 078.