EVANGELISATION Brisbane’s Inclusion Team has opened invitations for Archdiocese of Brisbane parishes, school communities and Church agencies to welcome and sponsor refugee families as part of a new initiative launched in partnership with Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia.
In a letter inviting parishes to the program, Brisbane Archbishop Mark Coleridge said the program was “an opportunity for us to reach out beyond the bounds of our own community in a spirit of mission”.
“This will in turn make our own communities stronger, for we will be strengthened only if we turn outwards rather than inwards,” he said.
Two programs were available for parishes, schools and Church agencies – the Group Mentorship Program and the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot.
Inclusion project officer Melinda Zakikhani said the Group Mentorship Program arose from the needs of refugee families and individuals who arrived in 2019 and early 2020.
She said those families had experienced more difficulties settling in Australia because of the impact of the pandemic.
This program had a fundraising commitment of less than $4000, dependant on the needs of the household.
Households in this program often had a specific need and “would likely benefit from a stronger community support network”, Mrs Zakikhani said.
“Parishioners might find themselves practicing English with a family member, or helping one of the parents secure employment opportunities,” she said.
The other program, the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot, was designed for groups to fundraise and build social networks to welcome a refugee household granted a humanitarian visa but was still awaiting arrival in Australia.
The financial commitment for this program ranged from $7000 to $21,000, varying on the size of the household.
“Parish sponsorship groups commit to fully supporting arriving refugees, from the moment they arrive at the airport to 12 months after arrival,” Mrs Zakikhani said.
“Parish community groups will support refugee families to enrol with Medicare, Centrelink, open bank accounts, et cetera.
“They will provide the family with food and income until the family starts receiving financial support and government assistance.
“They will ensure that the refugee household has a place to live when they arrive in Australia and then support them to access sustainable accommodation.
“It is not the parish community group’s role to pay for the family to live for the whole 12 months.”
Evangelisation Brisbane’s Inclusion Team was aiming to on-board two to three parishes or faith community pilot groups in the next six months.
“What I hope we can encourage through this initiative is not only practical response to growing crisis, but also a deeper understanding of other human experiences and a deeper capacity for relationships internal and external to our own parish communities,” Mrs Zakikhani said.
“This initiative will aim to address physical and material needs of refugee households in our communities, but even more importantly it aims to address social and community needs.
“The real key of this initiative is that a parish community is coming together for the important reason of welcoming and helping a newly arrived family to build a new home.
“What we can all know from our own experience is that difficult things become a little easier when you’re not alone.”
To find out more about the Archdiocese of Brisbane Refugee Sponsorship Initiative, head to www.aobrefugeesponsorship.com.au
