| Who are CARAD’s clients? |
Who are CARAD’s clients? IN THE CARAD is an agency set up to provide specialised assistance to refugees , asylum seekers and detainees. A refugee is someone who has applied to An asylum seeker is a person who is waiting for their protection visa application to be assessed. A detainee is a person held in an immigration detention centre in ******************************************************************* IN THE COMMUNITY.. CARAD coordinates a volunteer-based program helping refugees to improve their English in their home environment. This program, sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Interests, also matches volunteers with refugee students for homework support. CARAD and its volunteers work closely with the teachers to help students overcome challenges in adapting to an Australian lifestyle and education syllabus. CARAD’s support can also extend to other settlement assistance, such as help with writing resumes, completing forms, and school enrolments. We also provide interest free travel loans for families of refugees to be reunited in CARAD has successfully advocated on behalf of individuals and groups on issues such as the provision of affordable education, discount of medical fees for low-income families and equitable housing conditions. We also regularly speak to schools, universities, church groups and other community organisations on CARAD’s operations and objectives. FEEDBACK FROM A SCHOOL TEACHER ON THE DIFFERENCE A VOLUNTEER HAS MADE TO A REFUGEE STUDENT: He is now 10 years old and has therefore a lot of work to do, in order to develop his speaking and listening skills in both languages, to be on a par with his peer group. The intensive help that the volunteer has provided him has really benefited him at school. He now comes to school feeling much more confident about his speech, answers questions in class work and group discussions, and participates more actively in group and partner work, whereas before he remained silent in all of these situations. In the playground, he now takes part in games with other students and is developing the social language needed to make friends. FOR THOSE WHO NEED A LITTLE MORE HELP.. At any one time, our part-time Critical Case Manager monitors between 10 to 35 people who are waiting for their asylum seeker claims to be processed. CARAD will provide a small living allowance to clients if they prove they are in financial difficulty, do not have work rights, and are not eligible for financial assistance from other sources. Their mental health and welfare is monitored, and they are referred to other agencies if necessary. This support is heavily reliant on donations from the public. Simon's story Simon* knocked on CARAD’s door in March 2011. He had been held in CARAD gave him emergency financial assistance to buy food essentials. CARAD also arranged for his urgent medical and dental issues to be looked at, with qualified health professionals agreeing to donate their time. We then provided a small living allowance to make sure he had a room and food, and monitored the progress of his application for work rights. Simon received news in late July 2011 that his protection visa claim had been approved, and he was recognized as a refugee. CARAD continued to contact Simon and offer him support while he looked for work. In September 2011, we were extremely happy to hear from Simon that his nursing credentials had been recognized and he was starting work that week. We wish Simon all the best for the future. “ CARAD helped me when I was at my lowest point in life,when I thought there would never been light at the end of the tunnel. CARAD assured me that they would support me until the visa process had been finalized and indeed they stood by their promise. The support not only included money but also moral counseling and giving me the hope that things would be better with time. A friend had told me about this great organization and I have also passed on the message to others who are in the same situation that CARAD is of paramount importance. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the staff at CARAD, donors and volunteers for the unwavering support they render to refugees from around the globe.…." IN DETENTION CENTRES Up to 42 people may be detained at the Perth International Detention Centre while waiting for their claim for asylum to be processed. A group of specially trained volunteers visit the Centre regularly to offer social support. Subject to the availability of funds, a CARAD representative may travel to the remote detention centres ( For a list of entitlements available under different visa classes go http://www.immi.gov.au/visas/humanitarian/ Client experiences |