Ishar Multicultural Women's Health Centre
Description
The Ishar Multicultural Women’s Health Centre (Inc) (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 Centre’s service is not separated from their “real life” experiences and the interconnections of personal, social, economic, racial, age and gender related problems. Women are provided with information, advice, counselling, and training and/or support so 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 through a 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 include outreach, in-house group-work, individual counselling, advice, mediation, advocacy and referral services delivered by a team of multi-skilled professional staff and contracted bilingual community educators.