From Syria to the Tweed

A FAMILY from Syria has become the second to resettle in the Tweed Shire through a national community-led refugee program that was recently made a permanent part of Australia’s humanitarian migration intake.

The family arrived last month under the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot (CRISP), which supports refugees identified by the United

Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as being in urgent need of resettlement.

CRISP enables local volunteer groups to provide day-to-day support for 12 months to help new arrivals adjust to life in Australia.

The scheme, coordinated by Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia, was formally adopted into the national program earlier this year.

In the Tweed, the volunteer group Tweed Welcomes Refugees is helping the family navigate

schools, local services, public transport, English learning, employment preparation and community life.

Coordinator Claudia Gross said the wider community had helped make the transition smoother.

“Small victories are beginning to take root — first shopping and bus rides alone, first doctors’ visits, first soccer matches and an independent visit to the Youth Festival in Murwillumbah,”she said.

The group recently hosted a picnic with other Syrian families and volunteers, which Gross described as a highlight.

“We continue to support their aspirations and needs like acquiring a driver’s licence, attending TAFE in both Kingscliff and Murwillumbah, understanding the local culture, making the very first steps towards finding useful employment and saving for a car, which will be invaluable in our rural area,” she said.

Donations to support the group’s work can be made at tweedwelcomesrefugees.org or via shoutforgood.com/fundraisers/tweedwelcomesrefugeesgroup