Refugee families are receiving vital settlement support in Australia through a program being delivered by Catholic Care Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains. Source: Catholic Outlook.
The settlement program aims to integrate refugees who do not have any family links in Australia, or who have been referred to Australia by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
Rita Hakkoum, a community outreach worker at Catholic Care WSBM, said the program helps refugees settle into life in Australia for 12 months from their date of arrival.
Supports include providing initial accommodation, local orientation and transport, English-speaking classes, sewing classes, administrative support and more.
“The program offers a way to demonstrate love to our new neighbours, to show our solidarity with the marginalised and suffering, and welcome strangers as new friends,” Ms Hakkoum said.
“It helps refugees successfully integrate into their new communities and foster positive connections with locals.”
Catholic Care WSBM’s program is being delivered in partnership with the federal Government’s $8.6 million Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP): an initiative that aims to achieve optimal settlement outcomes for a total of 1500 refugee visa holders by June 30, 2025.
Around 80 per cent of new arrivals through Catholic Care WSBM’s program are families, followed by single adults (16 per cent) and couples (4 per cent).
Ms Hakkoum said the program relies on the participation of the community, and at least five participants are needed to register a group to sponsor refugees under the program.
“We screen and train local groups, such as parishes and community groups, to provide practical support to refugees in the Diocese of Parramatta,” she said.
Catholic Care WSBM continues to support sponsored refugees following the 12-month program.
“We stay in touch with the families,” Ms Hakkoum said.
“There is a family who now lives outside the diocese that we remain connected with, and they are like an extension of our family.”
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Catholic Care WSBM supports new refugee families to settle in Australia (By Belinda Gadd, Catholic Outlook)
