The Ishar Multicultural Centre for Women's Health ("Ishar") operates with a philosophy, which is grounded in the "Social Model of Health". Since its beginning, the centre has adopted a working style that focuses on the healing of lifestyle related problems that detrimentally affect the health and well-being of women of all ages, particularly those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
In other words, the "medical" condition of women seeking the service of the centre is not seperated from the "real life" interconnections of personal, social, economic, racial, age and gender related problems experienced.
Women are provided with information, advice, counselling, and training and/or support so that they become empowered to deal with the problems themselves or are referred on to a more appropriate agency.
The centre was officially opened on August 10, 1992 under the name of Mirrabooka Multicultural Women's Health Centre. The centre regards itself as a part of the community and the name "Ishar" was chosen by vote among the management committee, staff and volunteers. It means "woman" in one language and is close to "mother" and "earth" in others.
Ishar's vision is that it be a place of health and healing, happiness and peace, meeting the real health requirements of women from different cultural backgrounds. This is achieved through a service delivery model that is flexible and responsive to the needs of women. Strategies used are outreach, in-house group-work, individual counselling, advice, mediation and referral services delivered by a team of multi-skilled professional staff and contracted bilingual community educators.
In 1997 Ishar was the winner of the Community Service Industry Award for service to children, young people, families and the community. Despite the smallness of the core staffing of Ishar, the number of women of all ages, using or supported by the centre, increases every year. Unique to the centre is the role and commitment of many volunteers; they come from a variety of backgrounds and take time out of their busy lives to contribute their knowledge, skills, wisdom and effort.
In 2002, Ishar was awarded the tender for a new metropolitan wide service, the Multicultural Carer Support and Skill Development Program funded by the Department of Health, Mental Health Disivion. Since its beginning in January 2003, the program has become an intrinsic part of Ishar's core services.
A gender specific and culturally appropriate health service as provided at Ishar aims to benefit society as a whole providing services, which will encourage women to make informed decisions to take care of their emotional and physical health and to access services, which are appropriate to their individual needs.
MISSION
To provide quality, holistic healthcare services in a culturally sensitive and appropriate manner which will enable women to make informed decisions regarding their health and to enhance diversity of lifestyle.
VISION
An ideal healthcare place that responds to inividual client's needs in a caring and sensitive manner that provides a standard of healthcare service that meets their expectations.
VALUES