Media Centre

Home for asylum seekers reaches one year anniversary

Publish Date: 05/06/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.

Sanctuary, providing supported accommodation for asylum seekers at risk of homelessness, has reached its one year anniversary thanks to generous community support.

Sanctuary currently houses 20 male asylum seekers from 15 different countries who have had no right to work, Medicare or any welfare payments. These asylum seekers are completely reliant on charitable support for their food, housing and medical costs. Sanctuary provides a safe place to live while they await the outcome of their visa application.

Reliant on the generosity of the community to remain viable, the project has received tremendous support from individuals, church groups and trusts including a $50,000 grant from the Scanlon Foundation and a $150,000 grant from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund.

Yet while Sanctuary remains in operation, the residents continue to face new challenges. With little or no source of income, they are reliant on food banks and donations to pay for basic day to day necessities. Their monthly allowance – received from community sources outside of Baptcare – was recently cut as a result of the current recession.

“It’s been a challenging first year”, says Mr Martyn Shaddick, Baptcare’s Men's Caseworker and Housing Facilitator.

“The majority of the residents arrive at Sanctuary completely vulnerable and in despair. This is a direct result of their lives being threatened in their homeland either due to war, ethnic tensions, political reasons or religious persecution. Many residents are survivors of torture or have lost family members who have been murdered.

“The stress of trying to survive lawfully in the community without the right to work, Medicare or welfare support provides additional psychological trauma,” Mr Shaddick said. For most asylum seekers, waiting for a decision on the outcome of their visa application is an extremely long and difficult process which can take years with no guarantee of a positive result.

Yet there are also stories of hope and recovery.

Since the facility’s opening, three residents have secured protection visas that allow them to remain in Australia. Mr Shaddick has also implemented various activities designed to promote independence, social interaction and enhance confidence. Some of the activities include a monthly cooking night where residents are invited to cook and share a meal.

Baptcare’s Chief Executive, Mr Jeff Davey, is proud of the project. “Sanctuary is a unique facility which serves the larger purpose of acting as an advocacy tool for promoting alternatives to detention.

“We are heartened by the continued support from the community and hope that the facility serves as a reminder that all individuals, regardless of creed, religious affiliation, gender or monetary status, have the right to reach their full potential,” Mr Davey said.