Patty Perez

Patty has spent the past fifteen years of her professional career employed as an early intervention, child protection practitioner within two of the state’s leading child protection non-government organisations. Throughout this time, she has been an active part of many interagency meetings and assisted with the running of multiple Domestic Violence awareness & prevention projects; she was also involved with the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Program at Campbelltown Court and ran many community events and projects whilst working alongside families in need.

Patty is passionate about working cross culturally and has a wealth of knowledge and experience when working alongside and supporting various cultural groups. In 2012, she began her volunteer career working alongside Samoa Victim Support Group (SVSG) providing knowledge and assistance where it was needed in Samoa and Sydney. She was appointed as an Executive member of SVSG Sydney where she developed and delivered multiple programs for Pacific Communities. Patty has also lived in Samoa and assisted with the running of Samoa’s only shelter for child victims of sexual crimes, family violence and abandonment whilst implementing and delivering a nationwide domestic violence campaign.

Alofa Connections Inc was birthed from the SVSG Volunteer Journey. Patty was one of three co-founders who established this not for profit volunteer organisation to raise awareness, support and empower Pacific communities in Sydney. Patty wrote and developed programs and delivered a handful of community projects for Child Sexual Abuse awareness, Domestic Violence awareness and Suicide awareness and prevention. All of these community initiatives received recognition and awards from various platforms, in particular the NSW Council for Pacific Community Awards and the prestigious Zest Community Awards.

Patty has a Diploma in Counselling, a Diploma in Community Service Co-ordination, and also various Early Childhood qualifications. She considers herself a child protection advocate and continues to attend workshops and training to meet the needs of her clients and community. Patty is currently a board member for Samoa Victim Support Group and is Vice President for The Blue Butterfly Institute.

Whilst not serving the community, Patty is a mother to three young adults and grandmother to two precious chatterboxes who keep her heart warm. Patty has grown up and lived most of her life in south-west Sydney and Western Sydney.