When Claude* showed up at our Centre, he looked completely lost. He had all his luggage with him. When someone shows up with their luggage, you know that they are desperate. He was very young, he had no money, his English was limited – and he had nowhere else to go.
Claude’s case is far from isolated. He is just one of many people to walk through our door in such dire straits.
We are seeing destitution and homelessness at unprecedented levels. Our crisis referrals are up by a staggering 21% this year alone. At the same time, NSW State Government pandemic relief funding that helped us provide assistance to people like Claude is set to end this June.
Your tax-deductible gift today will help families and people like Claude; with living, housing and general assistance to stay safe and stable in their current home, or finding crisis accommodation.
People seeking asylum are the invisible victims of this ‘perfect storm’ of rapidly rising inflation and rental market squeezes.
There’s no mainstream ‘safety net’ if you’re on a bridging visa. You can’t access JobSeeker, or a single parent payment. This is why the Asylum Seekers Centre was founded 30 years ago. Our Government is still failing people who have come to Australia seeking a place of safety. Thanks to people like you, we are still a lifeline for people like Claude.
When we asked Claude what was the most important support he got from the Asylum Seekers Centre, he answered straight away: “Housing.” Finding a more secure place to live meant Claude could move onto his next critical challenge – earning some money to support himself.
Our Employment team worked with Claude and he secured a job with one of our food industry Employment partners.
Claude has a long way to go – and it’s a tough road. But now he has something to bolster his perseverance. He has hope, and it’s thanks to the compassion of people like you.
Make your tax-deductible gift by using the form above, or scroll down for EFT and other payment details. Thank you.
I spent my first night at the train station, I had nowhere to live.
The Asylum Seekers Centre helped we with accomodation, this enabled me to start working. If you have a place to sleep and eat then you can do the rest.
Via EFT:
BSB: 032 023
Account: 248 320
Name: Asylum Seekers Centre
Please include your name as reference and email us at fundraising@asylumseekerscentre.org.au so we can receipt you correctly.
Via Cheque:
To Asylum Seekers Centre, 43 Bedford St Newtown NSW 2042
Make a monthly gift here.
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