find the volunteer inside you! Help asylum seekers better engage with their new community. CRISIS CARE COMMITMENT

Transcription

1 find the volunteer inside you! Help asylum seekers better engage with their new community. CRISIS CARE COMMITMENT

2 About Red Cross Red Cross aims to help the most vulnerable people in society no matter who they are, no matter where they live. We are there for people regardless of nationality, ethnicity, religious beliefs, class or political opinions. We give care when it s needed most and there is little doubt that asylum seekers who have often fled persecution and threats of death, and who have little or no social support in Australia are among the most vulnerable people in our society. Red Cross believes in the Power of Humanity, a powerful, world-changing sentiment that starts with one person who wants to make a difference.

3 Migration Support Programs Red Cross has several programs that focus on assisting refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable people in the Australian immigration system, whose survival, dignity, physical or mental health is under threat. We effect change in order to prevent and reduce the vulnerability of migrants. We aim to protect them against abuses, exploitation and denial of rights. Through our work we strengthen the capacity of people impacted by migration to seek opportunities and sustainable solutions for themselves and their families. Our Migration Support Programs work with other not-for-profit organisations, community groups, and government to meet the needs of migrants across Australia.

4 Community Detention Program Red Cross is pleased to work with welfare agencies, community organisations, government and our valuable volunteers to ensure this program is implemented successfully. The Community Detention Program provides community based accommodation, support and care for unaccompanied minors and families with children while their immigration status is being resolved. Red Cross has been involved in community detention since its inception in 2005 and has cared for hundreds of vulnerable people during this time. Following the Australian Government s announcement in October 2010 that community detention options would be expanded, we have agreed to act as the lead agency in providing accommodation and support services for those approved to be placed in community detention. Red Cross believes that community detention placements are a more humane and appropriate option for vulnerable people instead of detention centres, remote locations and other alternative forms of detention such as secured motels. Through the Community Detention Program, with support from partner agencies, clients can access services such as health care, education for school-age children, case management, welfare support and community engagement activities. This approach helps to maintain people s health and wellbeing while waiting for their immigration status to be resolved. The program is funded by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, which is accountable for the overall implementation of the program. The Department retains responsibility for compliance and immigration matters. The decision of who can be placed in community detention arrangements is made by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Red Cross is committed to playing an ongoing lead role in this critical humanitarian work.

5 Volunteering with the Community Detention Program As one of Red Cross seven fundamental principles, voluntary service is an integral part of the Community Detention Program. The program relies on its diverse range of volunteers to provide vital support to our caseworkers such as settling people into their new homes, picking up clients from the airport and by being involved in various meaningful engagement activities for clients. Volunteers help us offer the best possible service to our clients. To continue to support asylum seekers to live in community detention arrangements, Red Cross needs more volunteers with a range of different skills and experience who have passion and commitment to support the most vulnerable people in our communities. The program has been rapidly expanding to support more and more vulnerable people to live in the community rather than in detention facilities. Families with children, unaccompanied minors and individuals with particular needs have been moving out of detention facilities and into the community all over Australia with the support of Red Cross and our partners. This positive change in the Australian detention system would not be achievable without the support of the volunteers. But we still need more! By volunteering you can support Red Cross to make a positive difference in the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in Australian communities.

6 Find the volunteer inside you! What can I do to help? Every day thousands of people like you make a positive difference around the country through volunteering. Anyone can apply to volunteer - it's easy! Tell other people about the Community Detention Program and encourage them to get involved in volunteering too. Why volunteer to support the Community Detention Program? When you volunteer with the program you will have the opportunity to directly help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities. You will be an enormous support to those who you work with and you will feel satisfied that you have made a positive difference to somebody s life each time you volunteer. What skills and experience do I need to have? We have a range of roles available for volunteers to support caseworkers and to help engage clients with their new communities. As the program grows so will the range of volunteer positions. Many opportunities exist to suit diverse skills, experience and backgrounds. The main requirement is that you are passionate about, and committed to, making a positive change in the lives of others. All volunteers are subject to a police check as part of the application process. What support will be available to me as a volunteer? Red Cross values its volunteers and strives to provide guidance and support throughout your volunteering experience. You will receive ongoing support from your manager, access to debriefing as required, and training and development opportunities along the way. You will be part of a dedicated and committed Community Detention Program team. What do I need to do to get involved? Get inspired! Once you ve done that the rest is easy. Simply download a volunteer application form from the website or contact Red Cross to have one sent to you, complete it and send it back to us. We ll be in touch!

7 History of Red Cross Founder Henry Dunant witnesses the Battle of Solferino, Italy and initiates relief work Henry Dunant shares first ever Nobel Peace Prize International Committee of the Red Cross established. First Geneva Convention relating to the protection of the sick and wounded. Second Geneva Convention adopted to protect the wounded, sick and shipwrecked in armed conflicts Third Geneva Convention adopted to protect prisoners of war Blood plasma first used in transfusions Dr Lucy Bryce founded first Australian blood service. Australian branch of Red Cross founded Now 69 Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies worldwide Australian Government ratifies the four Geneva Conventions Cyclone Tracy hits Darwin. Red Cross is there to help. Australian Red Cross ships supplies to Europe during WWII Fourth Geneva Convention adopted to protect civilians. Blood Service collects its millionth voluntary blood donation Over a million disaster survivors were helped in China and Myanmar. Victorian bushfires claim 173 lives, with over 2000 homes and 500,000 hectares of land destroyed. Over 1000 Red Cross people respond. Central Qld experiences severe flooding. Red Cross is there Pakistan Earthquake. AUD 8.25m raised Cyclone Larry, Far Nth Qld. 700 Red Cross staff and volunteers lend a hand Earthquakes and tsunamis devastate Sri Lanka, Maldives, Indonesia and Thailand. Over AUD 120m raised. Red Cross provides support following devastating bushfires in three Australian states Ash Wed bushfires devastate Victoria and South Australia. Red Cross responds. Federal government ratifies the 1977 Additional Protocols to the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

8 National Office 155 Pelham Street Carlton VIC 3053 Tel Fax NATCDVolunteering@redcross.org.au ACT Cnr Hindmarsh Drive and Palmer Street Garran ACT 2605 Tel Fax ACTCDVolunteering@redcross.org.au NSW 159 Clarence Street Sydney NSW 2000 Tel Fax NSWCDVolunteering@redcross.org.au NT Cnr Lambell Terrace and Schultze Street Larrakeyah NT 0820 Tel Fax QLD 49 Park Road Milton QLD 4064 Tel Fax QLDCDVolunteering@redcross.org.au SA Wakefield Street Adelaide SA 5000 Tel Fax SACDVolunteering@redcross.org.au TAS 40 Melville Street Hobart TAS 7000 Tel Fax TASCDVolunteering@redcross.org.au VIC Villiers Street North Melbourne VIC 3051 Tel Fax VICCDVolunteering@redcross.org.au WA 110 Goderich Street East Perth WA 6004 Tel Fax WACDVolunteering@redcross.org.au