In December 2010, the Sydney Community Foundation, through the Jack Dunlop subfund, was proud to provide a grant to the Asylum Seekers Centre of NSW (ASC) for the employment of a part time outreach worker within their casework team. The ASC is an independent, not-for-profit, non-government organisation that provides practical front-line support and a welcoming environment for community based asylum seekers in NSW.
The ASC strives to build community support and pursue social justice outcomes for asylum seekers. Their vision is that asylum seekers are welcomed to Australia and afforded a dignified, meaningful and safe existence pending the fair, transparent, and expeditious resolution to their claims. The organisation operates with the core values of integrity, teamwork, empowerment, respect, defence of human rights, and the pursuit of social justice.
The casework team comprehensively assesses the needs of individual asylum seekers and their families, and provides case management and casework support and advocacy to access relevant services. The SCF wish the ASC all the very best as they implement their important work. We are confident that this funding will make an important contribution to improving their ability to service their many clients.
John's Story
John arrived at the Asylum Seekers Centre with only a small bag. He told his caseworker that he had spent previous the night at Central Station after arriving from Cameroon.
He asked a passerby at Central Station where to go and was told to come to the Asylum Seekers Centre.
At the Centre John was able to eat breakfast and have a shower. His caseworker gave him an international phone card which he used to call his brother and let him know he had arrived safely in Australia. John’s caseworker secured emergency accommodation for one week and then referred him to a lawyer who could help him to apply for protection.
John didn’t know anyone in Sydney and had left his country so quickly he hadn't had time to pack sufficient belongings. His caseworker secured clothing as well as financial assistance. During the week where John was in emergency accommodation, his caseworker liaised with several housing providers to secure longer-term accommodation which was affordable. John is now in a stable situation and awaits the outcome of his application for protection.