What’s involved?
What you do, no matter how big or small, will always have an impact.
VOLUNTEER
Volunteering is a great way to have a positive effect on refugees within the Australian community. You can volunteer with a small group or a larger organisation already working with refugees (a great idea if you only have a limited amount of time, or want to work as part of a large group of volunteers). There’s a list of some organisations below.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Start up your own group that helps people get to know one another. Instead of having it focused on ‘refugees’ why not start up a cooking group where refugees from different countries can all share part of their culture with one another - or help youth by starting a sports team?
DONATE
There are so many great organisations working with refugees in the Australian (Check them out below). Take the time to find one that suits you and your beliefs – visit the website or visit in person. Most have facilities that allow you to donate.
You can give personally, encourage friends and family to give, or even organise your own fundraiser (link to toolkit). Remember, you don’t have to give money - giving clothes, furniture and other goods is a great way to help and show you care.
RAISE AWARENESS
Talk, walk, write…. Talk to your friends, family, school, classmates and colleagues - both individually, in a group or as a crowd. Write a letter to your paper or a magazine. Organise or take part in a march or protest in your community. Remember to keep educating yourself - raising your own awareness is important too! This can be as simple as reading the paper or watching the news.
CHANGE THE RULES…
You can also help, and raise awareness, by encouraging your local council to become a signatory to the ‘Refugee Welcome Zone Declaration’. You can do this by letter-writing or by organising a petition. Visit your council’s website to find out who to contact within your council. There is a list of council contact details at: http://www.dlg.nsw.gov.au/dlg/dlghome/dlg_LocalGov... . Signing this means your council is committed to welcoming refugees into your community.
ORGANISATIONS
Many organisations in Australia that let you participate in taking action towards improving the lives of refugees in the Australian community. Some of them are below, arranged first by national level and then by state/local groups.
National
i. Australian Red Cross – Asylum Seeker Assistance Scheme
You can make a donation to the Asylum Seekers assistance Scheme or volunteer with the organisation in general.
Check it out at: http://www.redcross.org.au/nsw/services_asas.htm
i. Anglicare
Donate, becoming a CARE partner (monthly giving) or get involved in one of the many volunteering opportunities they provide. Check them out at: www.anglicare.org.au
ii. Amnesty International - Australia
Get involved with Amnesty’s Refugees’ Human Rights Campaign, donate, become a member, or become a Human Rights Defender by signing up to give monthly. Check them out at: http://www.amnesty.org.au
iii. Migrant Resources Centres
There are migrant resource centres in NSW, QLD, ACT, SA, TAS, VIC and WA. Each offers different levels of involvement. To find which is closest to you, visit: http://www.immi.gov.au/grants/mrc_msa_b.htm
iv. Rural Australians for Refugees
RAR is focused on policy change within Australia - regardless of political alliance. You can join one or more of their many campaigns, join an RAR group, start your own. Check them out at: http://www.ruralaustraliansforrefugees.org
NSW
i. St Vincent de Paul (NSW Migrant and Refugee Services)
This service focuses on visiting Refugees in their home. If you want to volunteer, it helps if you speak other language.
Check them out at: http://www.vinnies.org.au/
ii. CSR – Community Support for Refugees
CSR aims to provide refugees with social support networks and a personal connection during the initial settlement period. Targeted at the first 6 months of settlement, CSR links volunteers to refugees that are coming to Australia through DIMIA’s offshore program.
Email for more info: csr-project@deakin.edu.au
iii. STARTSS- Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors
STARTSS focuses on fundraising and raising community awareness, as well as providing services to teach English and camps for youth.
Check them out at: http://www.startts.org
iv. Mercy Refugee Service Volunteers Program
This program is organised and run by the Sisters of Mercy of Australia. The focus is upon providing practical tools which assist refugees integrate into the community. It helps with basics such as how to find employment, use public transport and where to go for medical help. If you’re interested, you’ll need to commit yourself at least once per week for up to 9 months. Check them out at: http://www.mercysisters.org.au
v. Refugee Advice and Casework Service
A legal based service, RACS offers volunteer positions for students, registered migration officers and lawyers. All opportunities require a significant time commitment. They also have facilities for donation. Check them out at: http://www.racs.org.au
vi. NSW Ecumenical Council
The Council offers emergency accommodation through their ‘House of Welcome’ program to refugees released from detention on TPVs. Theyhelp with finding more permanent accommodation as well as providing other settlement support. Donate through their website. Website: http://www.nswec.org.au/
vii. A Just Australia
A great resource for keeping yourself and others aware of the issues. You can sign up to their newsletter, or donate money. Check it out at: http://www.ajustaustralia.com
viii. Australia for UNHCR
Donate, access teaching resources for your school or to support you in raising awareness through events or apply for an internship. They also have a roster where you can volunteer for one-off events. Check them out at: http://www.australiaforunhcr.org.au
If you’re interested in international volunteering opportunities with the UN, check out : http://www.unv.org
QLD
i. Brisbane City Council
Not only does the council provide settlement assistance, it provides services and packages in a range of languages. Assistance includes help with issues around health, finances, legal assistance, housing, welfare, education and more. As the programs run in conjunction with other community organisations, the council offers links for you to contribute by donating to or volunteering with their partners. Check them out at: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
ii. Romero Community Centre
The centre supports refugees who have received Temporary Protection Visas. You can contribute by donating money, goods, or time as a volunteer. Email them at: romerocentre@hotmail.com
WA
i. CARAD – The Coalition Assisting Refugees After Detention
Offer a vast range of services such as home English tutoring for women and settlement support and they campaigning on behalf of refugees. Heaps of opportunities to volunteer. You can help with anything from homework support to assisting in fundraising, to helping with the development of community based skills (such as banking, public transport and more).
Check them out at: http://www.carad-wa.org/
ii. Case for Refugees Inc.
Case provides free legal advice for refugees, representation and advocacy offered, amongst other things. Volunteer opportunities include helping out at one-off events.
Check it out at: http:www.caseforrefugees.org.au
iii. ASeTTs - Association for Services to Torture and
Trauma Survivors
The service provides support for victims of violent trauma, especially in terms of community based skills, such as using public transport and access to medical help. You can be a part by participating in a Leadership Volunteer Youth Program, by become a member, donating, or by participating in a Leadership Volunteer Youth Program. They also appreciate pro-bono work.
Website: www.asetts.org.au
SA
i. STTARS
Contribute to their newsletter through letters, essays, poems or drawings.
Check it out at: www.sttars.org.au
ii. Migrant Resource Centre of South Australia
These guys provide settlement and welfare services and programs to help refuges become part of their new community. Training is provided for those who want to volunteer, although you must be bilingual.
Check it out at: http://www.users.bigpond.com/mrcsa/
ACT
i. Refugee Council of Australia
Covers a range of services for refugees, including settlement support and legal advice. These guys offer membership for those who want to give support. They can also put you on their register to volunteer at one-off events.
Check them out at: http://www.refugeecouncil.org.au
VIC
i. Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau
SCAAB provides services assisting Refugee’s settlement, as well as works with Red Cross’ Asylum Seekers Assistance Scheme.
Check it out at : http://home.vicnet.net.au/~scaab/
ii. The Brotherhood of St Lawrence
They have developed a program called “Given the Chance” which provides mentors from community, government and business to refugees in order to combat high unemployment rates amongst refugees. If you are a young entrepreneur, The Brotherhood offers a range of business partnerships. You can also volunteer donate money in a variety of ways: such as online, through your salary and more.
Check out The Brotherhood at: http://www.bsl.org.au/given
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