Mona Mahamed

Founder, Community Support Services Inc

2023 NSW Local Hero Nominee

Mona Mahamed, a mother of six and high school teacher, founded a community program that connects people, giving them a path to financial independence.

Mona saw a need in her community for the sort of support she received as she recovered from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. She used her own money to start Community Support Services Inc (CSS) in Western Sydney in 2018.

Now more than 50 people visit the services hub every day. CSS partners with different philanthropic and government bodies to supply mental health, education, employment and practical support. Everyone is welcome.

CSS offers tutoring assistance for school kids, educational seminars, English classes and skills courses. It even supplies non-perishable food, toiletries and vouchers to those in need – crucial during the pandemic. They distributed nearly 150,000 kgs of food to 25,000 people in 2021 alone.

CSS has also furnished many houses for homeless individuals and women fleeing domestic violence relationships.