Green Connect
The Illawarra grew from the development of mining and manufacturing, particularly coal and steel. These industries created jobs but they also had a big environmental impact.
Today, these industries are shedding jobs and the region has one of the highest unemployment rates in Australia. This has made life more difficult and has affected some groups more than others. Wollongong has a big refugee population, and only 31% of refugees have a job 5 years after resettlement. In Port Kembla and Warrawong, where we’re based, youth unemployment sits at 22 to 36%.
Green Connect was set up to tackle three things:
- Refugee and youth unemployment
- Waste
- Unsustainable food
Green Connect is a social enterprise which focuses on creating more jobs for former refugees and young people, less waste, and fair food – by which we mean food that’s good for those who eat it, those who grow it, and the planet. We do all this with and within our community, to make this beautiful place, and life, better.
At Unanderra, you can visit our office and our Op Shop, where we give used goods a second life for the good of the community. Our op shop sells high quality clothes, toys, books and other goods at affordable prices so that everyone can benefit.
