Jan Juc volunteers providing a home for refugees

A LOCAL volunteer group is asking its community for donations to help give a refugee family a fresh start on the Surf Coast.

Welcome to Barwon has set a goal of $15,000 to provide essential items from SIM cards and daily groceries up to furniture and household appliances to a family placed in the area.

It is also calling out for leads on properties that could house the family on short and long-term basises when they arrive.

The local fundraiser coincided with World Refugee Day this week (June 20) – a United Nations-designated day aimed at acknowledging people forced to flee their home countries to escape conflict or persecution.

Welcome to Barwon volunteer co-ordinator and Jan Juc resident Amy Hunter said the group’s fundraising target would provide 12 months of practical support for a refugee family.

“We’re a group of ordinary people who wanted to do something about the refugee crisis. Sponsorship is the perfect way for communities to embrace and connect with a refugee family,” she said.

Welcome to Barwon is working with independent charity Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA), which trains and guides groups of Australian volunteers who raise funds and source what is needed for a family to set up life in a new town.

CSRA launched its Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot mid-last year in partnership with the federal government, which refers refugee families from UN Refugee Agency to the charity.

Ms Hunter said the program had significant potential in the local area.

“Regional and rural communities all over Australia have been sponsoring refugee families. There are two active groups in Aireys Inlet alone.

“We aim to raise $15,000 through crowdfunding. Community members can ‘shout’ the family a phone card, grocery shop, myki card, or even bigger items like a rental bond. ‘In-kind’ donations will be heavily relied on for whitegoods, furniture and clothing. We have a Facebook group where we’ll post what is needed.

“This is a real opportunity for Barwon community members to make a tangible difference close to home while having a global impact.

“The biggest challenge is finding a house for six weeks when the family arrives. A vacant holiday house could provide a soft landing, while we secure a rental where the family wants to live.”

To get involved in the fundraiser, visit Shout For Good.