Sutherland Shire Refugee Connection

Our goal is to make the Sutherland Shire a truly Refugee Welcome Zone. We want to support the resettlement of refugees in the area as we believe that the Sutherland Shire has much to offer, and also much to gain from increased cultural diversity. We can assist refugees and asylum seekers who need housing or social support at any stage of their resettlement process, whether they are already living in the Sutherland Shire or wishing to move into the area. For families or individuals who are referred to us, we consult with them and determine what support we can provide, depending on the capacity of our volunteers. This may include: support with seeking affordable housing; enrolling in school or other educational institutions; transport; social support; support with seeking employment. Ultimately, we would like to see the family or individual stay long term in the area. All of our volunteers live, work, or recreate in the Sutherland Shire area, love the area, and want to others to be able to enjoy all that this part of Sydney has to offer. They recognise what a difficult process moving and resettling is, but also the benefits it can bring to the local community. The Plan Our plan will be continually adapted as we learn from experience, but at present we are following these steps: - Identify and seek potential partners among all three levels of government, funding bodies, local business, community groups and services, places of worship, media, and clubs. - Participate in local public events to gain support and raise awareness - Work with appropriate services to identify individuals and families of refugee background to settle in the Shire - Secure funding from publicly available grants - Build connections with local real estate agents and community members to identify affordable housing options - Arrange for volunteers to support families and individuals of refugee backgrounds in their settlement. Contact us via our website: https://www.ssrc.org.au/contact