ASRA
The Asylum Seeker and Refugee Assistance program led by Communify currently supports over 300 asylum seekers with emergency relief, individual and family support, mental and physical health, employment and housing supports.
Many of the asylum seekers we support have endured significant trauma after experiencing war, persecution and genocide in the countries they have fled from. In attempting to build a new life here in Australia, they face ongoing hardship and unique obstacles to overcome. Yet our staff are constantly inspired by the courage and resilience demonstrated by these people, despite the challenges they face.
R's story
R, a qualified dental assistant from Iran, and her mother were released from community detention after a year in an offshore detention centre. This is when they connected with the ASRA program. Their detention experience left both women frightened and traumatised. The nature of R’s temporary visa has made her vulnerable to employment exploitation. After eventually securing casual work, the cost-of-living crisis hit, placing the pair under financial stress.
How Communify helped
The ASRA team linked R and her mother in with emergency supports in the weeks following their release from community detention, and provided short-term rental assistance. The team also connected R and her mother to English language classes to help them adjust after years of incarceration.
