Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs

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The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters throughout Australia. We pay our respect to Elders and acknowledge their continuing relationship to this land and the ongoing living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. We also acknowledge future aspirations of all First Nations peoples. Through respectful relationships we will work for the mutual flourishing of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. We commit ourselves in prayer and practice to this land of Australia and its people, seeking reconciliation, unity and equity.

Our programs and partnerships aim to learn about, support, empower and encourage community leaders of the future, as well as help ‘Close the Gap’, working collaboratively towards greater equality in terms of life expectancy, health, housing, education and employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities. 

Programs range from early intervention, school engagement, youth education programs, youth leadership, youth justice, men’s and women's programs to housing programs and services, sports programs, recovery and wellness programs, traditional arts and crafts programs, faith expressions, visits by Salvation Army rural and flying chaplains and many more. 

Leadership and resilience

The Salvation Army’s Leadership and Resilience Program in Townsville (Qld), encourages young Indigenous men, aged 14 to 15 years to connect more deeply with their culture, as one of four key areas of focus. Running annually, the program also works to build leadership and resilience in the areas of health and wellbeing, relationships, education and employability.  

Group of kids standing in a field
Posing after a match

Homelessness and housing 

In Port Augusta (SA), a range of programs and services, including the Generic Homelessness Service and Common Ground Port Augusta seek to address housing needs primarily for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness.

The service provides support and case management to those who have lived in both urban and remote community settings, and who have moved in order to access health support, broader services, or to connect with family. Consideration is given to specific cultural needs, recognising the importance of kinship and family relationships.

salvos team member supporting a homeless indigenous youth
Supporting the aboriginal community

Women and children 

Making it Happen – a decade-long Salvos Women’s Ministry Project – provides opportunities for individual Salvos and corps (churches) to help meet the needs of women and children experiencing disadvantage. Making it Happen is currently focussed on supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women through The Waterhole (Alice Springs, NT) and through national programs supporting women who have been impacted by incarceration.

Women posing for a photo
Mother holding her daughter

Building cultural competency and capability 

Through the Territorial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competency and Capability Framework, The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring programs, mission expressions and resources are culturally safe, appropriate, and accessible. Strategic support is provided through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team who guide, advise, and collaborate, to ensure policies, programs and services address the diverse and unique needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Aboriginal painting session
Aboriginal team collaboration

Learn more about National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week

Learn how you can celebrate the National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week and read about The Salvation Army's stories and connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by visiting our pages below.
National Reconciliation Week   NAIDOC Week

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The Salvation Army Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we meet and work and pay our respect to Elders past, present and future.

We value and include people of all cultures, languages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities, gender expressions and intersex status. We are committed to providing programs that are fully inclusive. We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of people of all ages, particularly children.

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The Salvation Army is an international movement. Our mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in his name with love and without discrimination.

uat.salvos.org.au

13 SALVOS (13 72 58)

Gifts of $2 or more to the social work of The Salvation Army in Australia are tax deductible.Details and ABNs

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