Alawa Aboriginal Corporation operates a number of self-funded business operations and grant-funded programs, all aimed at delivering essential services to the residents and businesses of Minyerri. Our focus in all our operations is providing social outcomes to our community in a sustainable way.

The Alawa Aboriginal Corporation (AAC) was first established in 1999, its primary purpose to establish and operate commercial enterprises on behalf and for the benefit of the Alawa people. To this day, the AAC undertakes many business operations for the purpose of providing social, cultural and economic benefit to the Alawa people and the broader community. AAC has been successful in delivering many services to the community including municipal services, aged care, child care related services, arts centre and many more activities under the Federal Government’s Community Develop Program (CDP).

After-School Care

After-school care is available for local indigenous primary school and secondary-school children. Centrelink Provides Centrelink services for the local indigenous community.  

Community Development Employment Program(CDP)

Provides unemployed indigenous adults and young people 15 years old or over with employment placement and skills acquisition including accredited training and links to apprenticeships and traineeships. Employment projects and activities are chosen by local indigenous communities or distinct groups of indigenous people within a community. The training wage received by participants is equivalent to the appropriate unemployment benefit.  

Creche

Provides child care for local indigenous infants and preschool children.  

Delivered Meals (HACC) (Meals on Wheels)

Three meals a day are delivered at low cost to those who would otherwise be nutritionally at risk, including the frail aged and people with disabilities. The service particularly assists indigenous families.  

Home Care Services (HACC)

Home Care services are available for frail elderly, incapacitated or ill residents and those with disabilities to help with household duties including cleaning, laundry, meal preparation, wood collection and shopping. The service particularly assists indigenous people.  

School Nutrition Program

A nutritious breakfast and lunch are provided for local indigenous primary-school and secondary-school children. 

ASYASS believes that all people have a right to secure, appropriate and affordable housing. Many young people are often disadvantaged in their access to housing through factors such as inexperience, family crisis and breakdown, financial insecurity and community prejudice.

Youth Housing

The Youth Housing Program Provides semi-independent accommodation (up to 12 months) to young people 16-21yo. The ASYASS Housing Program currently manages these properties are located across Alice Springs. The housing program offers young people, who are unable to reside with family, through case management the opportunity to re-engage with education, training or to gain employment, as well as to develop and strengthen life skills (including living skills) required to establish themselves independently. Where appropriate ASYASS also supports and encourages involvement with family.

Crisis Youth Refuge

Provides safe supported accommodation for young men and women, 15-17yo, inclusive 24 hrs/7days a week. Accommodation can be provided for one night up to 3 months. During their stay at ASYASS Youth Refuge, young people will also be provided supported though case management (where appropriate).

Young people will also be supported to:

• identify and work towards their goals;
• address their health, education and income needs;
• develop appropriate life skills
• (re)engage with family (where appropriate); and
• access long term accommodation where necessary

The Youth Refuge provides safe supported accommodation for young men and women, 15 – 17 years, inclusive 24 hours a day – 7 days a week. Accommodation can be provided for one night or up to 3 months.

​Ampe Akweke (pronounced – umba kooka) “Little Babies Place”

Ampe Akweke is a place for single young women / mothers Program 14-23 years of age. Ampe akweke offers both outreach support and residential support, if the single young women / mothers have no where suitable and safe to stay. Young women can stay in the safe house for up to 3 months. Ampe akweke works with the young women to ensure they have theirs, their unborn child or their babies health needs met. Ampe akweke family support workers provide parenting education and support as well as case management to all young women accessing the program.

Emergency Relief Program

ASYASS administers Emergency Relief funds to young people who find themselves needing financial assistance in the form of:

• purchase vouchers of a fixed value (e.g for food, clothes)
• assistance to obtain appropriate forms of identification
• material assistance such as blankets, clothing or school needs
• appropriate referrals to other services that help to address underlying causes of financial crisis

This Program is administered from our office located at 12 Undoolya Road

Resource Centre

This program is a hub for information, training, life skills development, advocacy and support.  More than just a drop in centre, a calendar of training and activities is provided monthly.

Support workers are available to young people who are not necessarily in our other programs.  Outreach and emergency support are provided through this service and they provide linkages to other services.

They can be assisted to do their laundry, have a shower, assisted with food, clothing and medical needs.

Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged (ACHA) is a referral and linkage service for older people aged 65 years or over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples) who are homeless,at risk of homelessness or under housing stress. ACHA assists people explore and secure housing and ongoing support options.

The CSHP provides entry level support and practical assistance to older people aged 65 years or over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples) to help them stay at home and maintain their independence. Assistance provided in each region varies but may include assistance around the house,personal care,maintenance,meals,transport,flexible and cottage respite and social support (individual and group activities to keep people connected,healthy and active).

Community Housing is offered in Alice Springs for people on low to moderate incomes. The housing complex is comprised of two-bedroom units available on rental basis.

Garrawarra provides transitional accommodation (short to medium-term) to individuals,couples and families experiencing homelessness. We focus on engagement,food security,health and wellbeing,building parenting,life and tenancy skills,connections to support systems,culture and community and planning for the future. Accommodation is provided within a ground level accommodation complex comprised of 2 and 3 BR units /houses. Complimentary activities are conducted on site such as HIPPY,school transport,meal preparation,cultural events and group work. *People must be on the public housing waitlist to be eligible.

Home Care Packages (HCP) help older people with higher care needs maintain independence and continue living in their own homes. HCP’s are for people aged 65 years or over (50 or over for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples) who meet elibility requiremnets. Assistance is tailored to match each persons needs and may include personal care,home cleaning,maintenance,transport,group activities, purchase of mobility equipment or specialist services.

The Housing Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) provides intensive assistance to people with a mental illness living in public housing in Darwin. HASI assists participants maintain their tenancy and provides psychosocial support to help participants develop life skills,build connections to community and improve overall quality of life. *Referrals are through Top End Mental Health Service (TEMHS) or Territory Families,Housing and Communities.

The Housing Options Pathway Program (HOPP) supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. HOPP provides case management,outreach support,mentoring,vocational links, practical assistance,food security,life skills and tenancy education to individuals and families who need support to stabilise circumstances,secure accommodation,maintain existing tenancies and plan for the future. 

OutCARE provides accommodation (share houses) and supports people leaving prison to rebuild their lives, reconnect with family and work towards a positive future. This includes helping with immediate practical needs on release, linking with employment, training and community supports and exploring longer term goals.