The Sovereign Order of Malta (SOM) and ACU Community Hub (known as the Hub) is a partnership between Australian Catholic University and the Sovereign Order of Malta, coordinated through ACU Engagement.
The partnership focuses on developing place-based projects and programs that support community-identified goals and aspirations, positioning lived-experience as the foundation for all projects and programs.
Initiated in 2022, the partnership was underpinned by a critical six-month period of research, outreach and relationship building that resulted in the design and development of a unique, agile and flexible 'mobile' Hub model, reaching varied communities and community organisations within the Darebin LGA (Melbourne).
Today, the Hub is now firmly embedded in Darebin - its varied projects and programs assisting communities to build their capacity to achieve the safe, supportive and healthy environments they desire.
Community members engaged on average each week during Semester through the Hub's community presence
Programs established in partnership with the community, ACU students, and SOM
Programs transitioned to community ownership and operating successfully
Partner organisations collaborating with us across our programs
For Darebin communities and community organisations, the Hub fosters trust, shared purpose and long-term collaboration to strengthen social connection, community capacity and pathways to community participation and leadership. The Hub aims to build more connected, inclusive and empowered communities.
The SOM & ACU Community Hub is an activation of ACU’s mission and Catholic social principles in action. Enacted through participatory partnerships, it is committed to collaborative, codesigned and co-delivered community capacity building projects and programs that uphold human dignity and are for the common good. For ACU staff and students, the Hub provides opportunities to extend learning beyond the classroom. Students engage in values-led, integrated placement experiences that develop professional competence, ethical judgement, empathy and social responsibility.
For the Order of Malta, the Hub offers a pathway for its members towards meaningful, active engagement with communities experiencing marginalisation.
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