ICAN’s Elizabeth Carr is a passionate advocate for First Nations people. She yarned to us this month about how obtaining a CommBank Scholarship transformed her life. Now, she wants other First Nations people to have the same opportunity by applying for a CommBank Scholarship to empower themselves and their communities.
My name is Elizabeth Carr. I am a proud Gimuy Walubara Yidinji woman born and raised in Cairns. I worked in Pharmacy for nearly 20 years before caring for my children at home for 7 years. When it came to returning to the workforce, I needed a change and applied for a Financial Capability Worker role with ICAN. Incredibly, the role also provided me with a CBA Certificate IV in Community Services CHC4201 Scholarship. Applying for this role and studying with ICAN Learn has been one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself and my family.
Being a Financial Capability Worker – or as we call it at ICAN – a Yarnin’ Money Mentor, we have a holistic approach to helping people with their finances. We see people in many different situations and at various stages of life. It’s more than just someone’s money story. We know that money can affect everything from health, housing, relationships, connections, and identity.
This scholarship offers a fantastic insight into the community services sector and its different career opportunities. The knowledge and training provided allows for a better understanding of our clients and enables us to provide them with the best care, support and advocacy.
Many different topics are covered in the course, such as working with diverse people, people in crisis, effectively communicating and building relationships with clients, how to work legally and ethically, and so much more.
I felt so privileged that my ICAN Learn trainer and assessor, Aimee Williams, is also a First Nations woman. Having that connection with my trainer made such a big difference to me. The connection is hard to explain, but it’s comforting and very inspiring when you see someone else who is a First Nations person in a predominantly non-indigenous space. I can’t tell you the ease I feel when I look at the Zoom screen to see someone who looks like me. She has a true passion for empowering us as First Nations people. I felt so privileged to be taught by her. Aimee is a true inspiration to me and any other First Nations person who might think they can’t achieve their goals or it’s too late to change careers.
ICAN Learn has an awesome support network, and if you are ever struggling, they will do whatever it takes to help you complete your certificate or diploma. It had been many years since I had done any study, and I was very nervous about completing the skill set, but now, being on the other end, I can tell you it wasn’t as scary as I’d imagined. That is truly a testament to my trainer, Aimee, and ICAN Learn. You’re never too old to accomplish anything.
ICAN Learn has 10 First Nations CommBank Scholarships available, so I would like to encourage any First Nations people to give it a go. Don’t let fear or being in a comfort zone stop you from taking a step further in your education and skills because you never know where it might lead.
Having more First Nations people in the community service sector, as financial capability or support workers, is vital because there is already a connection that comes from walking into an organisation and helping First Nations clients. It’s mob helping mob. There are complex layers that only we, as First Nations people, experience and understand, from the different family dynamics to the discrimination that we face.
Being able to access a support service and not have to explain the various ins and outs of First Nations dynamics but instead meet with someone who has an immediate understanding is something I wish for my people.
Additionally, allowing First Nations people to gain skills and knowledge through work or study and apply it to their own community can largely benefit the positive development of our people and their community.
I am so grateful for the opportunity to study Certificate IV in Community Services CHC42021. This scholarship has opened doors to many more exciting opportunities. It has been a stepping stone to my studying for my Diploma in Financial Counselling CHC51122, which I hope to start in October.
I am so excited about the future now. Besides personal development, this opportunity has provided the chance to be more financially stable and provide a better future for my children, which is something every parent dreams of. I hope to inspire more First Nations people to take the leap of faith and give it a go.
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