Media Centre

Sanctuary expands to assist more asylum seekers

Publish Date: 21/09/2009
Author: Marketing & Communications Dept.

Baptcare remains committed to challenging the system for the benefit of some of the most destitute individuals in the community – asylum seekers.

Although many asylum seekers are forced to flee their homeland to escape inhuman cruelty, their arrival in Australia is often met with new challenges.

Due to restricted Government and welfare support services, many asylum seekers are at risk of homelessness. In addition, asylum seekers on bridging visas have no legal rights to pursue employment opportunities or access even basic health care benefits. With little power to influence their future, many struggle to live on a day-to-day basis.

Asylum seekers not only face the challenge of fending for themselves without the right to work, but a range of emotional traumas. Many are constantly anxious about being sent home, others are severely depressed. Most are proud men and struggle with the degradation of constantly having to ask for help.

But there is hope. Baptcare’s facility for asylum seekers is set to expand by nine rooms in September.

Residents at Sanctuary have access to pastoral care, case management, spiritual support and community support networks.

To keep Sanctuary viable, we require assistance from communities, schools, individuals, churches and trusts.

We extend our thanks to the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund for their grant of $150,000 to be delivered over two years. This is the second consecutive year that Sanctuary has received a major grant from this fund, demonstrating both the need for the project and the value it generates for the community.

Sanctuary does not receive any form of government or ongoing funding and despite the recent grant, Sanctuary is reliant on community support and Baptcare’s reserves to remain viable. All the residents at Sanctuary ask for is the right to survive. The right to save themselves from persecution. The right to build a new life. The right to believe there are people in the world with the courage to hold out their hand to a stranger. Together, through Sanctuary, we have the opportunity to share our blessings with those who truly deserve them.

If you would like to make a donation to Sanctuary, please contact (03) 9831 7222, or donate online.