Monica Rivas - Round 1, 2018 Champion

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Making the settlement journey easier for migrants through digital learnings

Monica Rivas is committed to ensuring migrant and refugee communities are provided with opportunities to be digitally included.

As the Community Education Coordinator with settlement agency Access Community Services, Monica is familiar with the struggles faced by people when migrating to Australia including language barriers. This language barrier can be even greater when the information being sought is located on the internet, demanding knowledge of how to operate in a digital environment, search for accurate and useful information, and use assistive translation applications. Through her workshops she introduces new arrivals to the internet, laptops and iPad use, assistive language apps, and platforms for accessing services or employment.

Monica’s determination to find a way to bridge this educational gap has led her to developing creative ways of teaching English using digital technology, enabling migrants to learn both language and digital skills simultaneously.

Monica has a Masters in Social Work and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and is the Queensland representative for the delivery of the National Youth Settlement Framework program established by Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN).

As a Community Digital Champion, Monica will be improving digital skills for migrants in the Ipswich and Logan communities by:

  • introducing digital components into English conversational classes and orientation activities
  • developing teaching materials to allow volunteers to teach others basic digital literacy
  • sharing her resources with local community centres and libraries to encourage the development of digital programs across the region.


Monica is nominated by: Access Community Services

Making the settlement journey easier for migrants through digital learnings

Monica Rivas is committed to ensuring migrant and refugee communities are provided with opportunities to be digitally included.

As the Community Education Coordinator with settlement agency Access Community Services, Monica is familiar with the struggles faced by people when migrating to Australia including language barriers. This language barrier can be even greater when the information being sought is located on the internet, demanding knowledge of how to operate in a digital environment, search for accurate and useful information, and use assistive translation applications. Through her workshops she introduces new arrivals to the internet, laptops and iPad use, assistive language apps, and platforms for accessing services or employment.

Monica’s determination to find a way to bridge this educational gap has led her to developing creative ways of teaching English using digital technology, enabling migrants to learn both language and digital skills simultaneously.

Monica has a Masters in Social Work and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and is the Queensland representative for the delivery of the National Youth Settlement Framework program established by Multicultural Youth Advocacy Network (MYAN).

As a Community Digital Champion, Monica will be improving digital skills for migrants in the Ipswich and Logan communities by:

  • introducing digital components into English conversational classes and orientation activities
  • developing teaching materials to allow volunteers to teach others basic digital literacy
  • sharing her resources with local community centres and libraries to encourage the development of digital programs across the region.


Monica is nominated by: Access Community Services