Kapit-bahayanCooperative Limited(KCL) of Sydney, Australia recently received another recognition for all the good work it has been doing for the community.  The award was given by the state peak body  Common Equity NSW (CENSW) for the Inaugural Community Development Award during its virtual Annual General Meeting on the 21st of November 2020.  

Kapit-bahayanCooperative Ltd’s Board of Management and the Executive Officers of Common Equity NSW


KCL award's citation states: “In appreciation and recognition of KCL’s leadership by bringing the community together and inspiring collective action and change”.

KCL members and guests during the festive 2019 KCL Christmas Party.Seated on the 2nd row are the special guests (L – R)  Former MP Laurie Ferguson and his wife Maureen Walsh, Common Equity NSW CEO Nick Sable, Phil Consul General EzzedinTago, Sydney Alliance Community Organiser Thuy Nguyen and Member for Auburn Lynda Voltz MP

In appreciation of the award, Founding President and re-elected President Ruben Amores said:


"Winning the inaugural Community Participation award is very humbling, for us in Kapit-bahayan. It came at a time when we are celebrating our 25th anniversary of successfully managing 5 clusters of  affordable and comfortable coop housing accommodations for low to medium families.

It means that over the years, we have shared the value of social responsibility to the community. Actively participating in community affairs, requires willingness and commitment to invest in time, effort, skills and resources that should lead to a tangible and sustainable social impact on people's quality of life!"
 
Now in its 25th year of outstanding operation,  KCL is a Filipino-led  housing cooperative which is fully managed by tenants on a voluntary basis. It has initiated, led and actively participated in collaboration with other coops and community groups in various community,  social development or capacity-building and empowering initiatives, programs  and projects. 

In particular, KCL has:

* organised and mentored other housing coops like the Sedgwick Housing, Guildford Multicultural Seniors Coop and housing for elderly Tamils and Cambodian Karens

*organised and led various other community organisations like multicultural Auburn Small Community Organisation Network (ASCON) Inc, community peak Alliance of Philippine Community Organisations Inc and the neighbourhood charity initiative Multicultural Assistance Task Force.

*featured speakers re KCL and community organising at the Annual Multicultural Community Conferences organised by NSW government and attended by various community organisation leaders throughout the state

*conducted info briefings and promotional for a coop housing benefits in various councils and community fora.  

*actively participated in the activities and campaigns by Sydney Alliance, Western Sydney Community Forum, social /cause-oriented groups and local government councils

*participated and advocatedin local government council committees on housing, social and affordable housing and homelessness.

*initiated the organisation of a network of multicultural community organisations, local churches, businesses and private individuals for providing assistance and support to victims of calamities in Australia, the Philippines and other countries; as well as the diverse international students who were adversely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The success of KCL is underpinned by the outstanding qualities of Filipinos in organisational management, community service and effective collaboration with multicultural and mainstream organisations.   This is  reflected by both the coop and its leaders being recipients of many prestigious and performance-based awards and recognitions. 

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