Who are Ngunya Jarjum?
Ngunya Jarjum was established in 1995 by Bundjalung ELDERS and community members to address the crisis and need for more Aboriginal kinship and foster carers. We strive to keep Aboriginal children in family, on Country and immersed in culture.
The organisation has grown from a small Aboriginal foster care support agency to one of the largest Aboriginal community controlled designated agencies under the NSW Office of Children’s Guardian. We are tasked to provide culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in statutory out of home care. We work within the Bundjalung Nation encompassing the Clarence, Richmond and Tweed Valley areas.
Ngunya Jarjum is governed by a board of non-executive Aboriginal directors, and supported by a membership of Aboriginal people who are predominantly of Bundjalung descent. We support over 140 Aboriginal children and young people in statutory out of home care. We have a carer pool of almost 115. Ngunya Jarjum areon one the largest Aboriginal employers in the non-government sector of Northern NSW.
Our Vision
A connected, culturally rich and thriving community where Ngunya Jarjum support our local families to nurture their children, raise them on country, and preserve our culture and strength into the future.
Our Values
Belonging
Every child has a right to be immersed in their family and culture to grow up strong in their identity and know who and where they belong to.
Compassion
Compassion, kindness and empathy will underpin the approach of support and services to children and families to acknowledge the untreated trauma and grief suffered by Aboriginal people over generations.
Integrity
We act professionally, with honesty and truth.
Respect
We value building meaningful relationships and work to build trust with families, communities and our partners.
Strategic Plan
We are pleased and proud to have a comprehensive Strategic Plan to lead, grow and develop the work we do in our community for the next 5 years.
With all of our programs confidentiality is of the highest importance to us. You will be treated with dignity, understanding and respect.
Key Results For Ngunya Jarjum
Ngunya Jarjum’s strategic direction will be driven to work towards the following key result areas.
- Aboriginal families remain forever connected
- Aboriginal children and young people flourish
- Aboriginal communities are resilient and thrive
- Deliver positive lifelong results for Aboriginal children and families
Awards
ABSEC – ACCO of the year – 2021
Finalist Nominee for outstanding employee – CEO Wendy Knight, Chamber of Commerce Lismore
2019 Lismore Chamber of Commerce Business Awards
Winner – Outstanding Employer of Choice
Corporate Objectives
- To provide culturally appropriate long term, short term, voluntary, respite and out-of-home care for Aboriginal children in our area.
- To provide employment, training and development opportunities for Aboriginal people to fulfil objects (a) and as the Office of the Children’s Guardian (OCG) Standard.
- To employ Aboriginal people to run programs to meet the needs of Aboriginal Children, and their families, in out-of-home care.
- To recruit and support Aboriginal people to care for Aboriginal children in a manner that is culturally appropriate and that meets their individually identified needs.
- To support Aboriginal carers and their families, including respite care, in a manner that their identified needs.
- To educate the wider community of issues impacting on Aboriginal families and the care of their children.
- The committee shall provide advice and support to staff, the local Aboriginal communities and organisation as appropriate.
- To liaise with Government and community agencies, and other appropriate persons and organisation on behalf of Aboriginal persons and organisations as appropriate
- To operate and maintain a gift fund to be known as “The Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Corporation Gift Fund” in accordance with the requirements of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997.