Values
- Inclusive – We foster a welcoming and safe environment for all.
- Respectful – We value and respect each other and our diverse community.
- Social justice – We commit to social justice, ensuring equity, fairness and inclusivity.
- Integrity – We are professional, transparent and accountable.
- Quality – We uphold quality as a fundamental value, guiding our actions and decisions to deliver excellent services.
Vision
A community that connects people, creates opportunities and challenges disadvantage and inequity.
Mission
Successfully work with the community of Carlton and surrounding areas to connect people, create opportunity, promote equity and challenge disadvantage.
Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre (CNLC) is a community learning hub in Carlton. As a Neighbourhood House, Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and Learn Local provider, we help adults learn English, build skills, and belong — especially those facing economic or social disadvantage. We deliver inclusive education, accredited and pre-accredited courses, community programs, and supportive services across Carlton and surrounding areas.
PURPOSE
The purposes of the Association are to provide relief of poverty, helplessness, misfortune, suffering and distress to economically or socially disadvantaged people in the community, particularly the people located in Carlton and surrounding areas. The Association aims to provide assistance including, but not limited to, by:
- providing access to cooked food and pantry staples for those facing extreme distress, hardship and poverty;
- providing support and pathways to basic adult education and training, employment and community participation;
- providing opportunities for those with intellectual, physical and other disabilities to develop basic adult literacy skills; and
- providing a broad range of personal and social support programs and services.
HISTORY
The Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre Inc. (CNLC) was established in 2002 through the merger of two long-standing community organisations: Carlton Contact Neighbourhood House, founded in 1973, and Carlton Adult Reading and Writing.
Together, they formed a new, integrated community organisation committed to inclusion, education, and social connection.
Since then, CNLC has grown into a vital hub for the Carlton community, operating as a Neighbourhood House, a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), and a Learn Local provider. CNLC now runs programs from two locations — one in the City of Yarra (our main centre) and one in the City of Melbourne, located on the Carlton public housing estate.
WHO WE SERVE
At CNLC we create a place of welcome, belonging, and possibility for people who are too often excluded from education, employment, and community life.
We support:
- Newly arrived migrants and refugees learning English
- People with disability gaining skills, confidence, and connection
- Public housing residents finding purpose and community
- Emerging leaders tackling climate justice and social change
We offer:
- Accredited and pre-accredited adult education
- Hands-on English classes through cooking, sewing, and volunteering
- Food relief and social inclusion programs
- A thriving compost and recycling hub and community garden
- Tailored programs for people with mild intellectual disabilities
- Community events, workshops, and volunteering pathways
• 39.7% of students are from refugee or asylum-seeker backgrounds
• 21% of students have a disability
• 37% have experienced material deprivation or live below the poverty line
• In 2022, 54% of EAL students lived at the Carlton Housing Estate and faced long-term unemployment
• 82% of CNLC students were not in paid employment
COMMITTEE OF GOVERNANCE
The Committee of Governance for CNLC is made up of members from the local community with diverse skills and knowledge. They govern the organization’s direction, mission and values, and ensure compliance with legal and ethical standards. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6pm. Interested in volunteering? Submit an expression of interest form to info@cnlc.org.au.
HOW WE ARE FUNDED
Operating within the Neighbourhood House framework, CNLC is proud to receive support from a range of government, community, and philanthropic partners. We gratefully acknowledge the Victorian Government, along with all our supporters, sponsors, and donors who help us create opportunities and strengthen our community. A full list of our valued supporters is available here.
To become a Member of the CNLC Association, please complete and return this application form
ABN: 25 717 084 481 Reg No. A0042620C TOID 21228
