2017 CARAD Annual Report

Annual Report 2017
APPLICATION ASSISTANCE WORKSHOPS
Our Application Assistance Workshop Volunteers supported specific asylum seeker clients with reading and writing
assistance for visa applications.
During the year, volunteers assisted 164 clients with visa applications.
The deadline for the submission of a Temporary Protection Visa or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa application for this client
group has now passed and we are proud of the contribution of our volunteers in helping people through this process.
To date 70% of all the applications submitted by this group of people seeking asylum have resulted in them being
granted a Temporary Protection Visa or a Safe Haven Enterprise Visa.
“I met some beautiful people who all touched my heart in some
special way. I loved meeting so many people from so many
different backgrounds and cultures.”
AAW VOLUNTEER
OPENING DOORS
The Opening Doors program continued to be well utilised by volunteers and
clients over the past 12 months.
The program provides much needed educational and employment assistance to
asylum seekers and refugees to empower clients to be independent members
of their community.
The HOMEWORK HELP and ENGLISH LANGUAGE SUPPORT aspects of
Opening Doors grew in both support requests and the number of volunteers
participating.
CARAD volunteers provide a unique service to asylum seekers and refugees in
the community through individual mentoring, most often in the client’s home or
local public facility.
Having a Volunteer Liaison Officer enabled us to increase the number of
successful matches of volunteers to clients.
From January – July 2017, the number of support referrals exceeded the total
number achieved in the preceding 12 months, more than doubling CARAD’s
support to clients in this area.
A total of 134 clients are receiving Homework Help or English Language
support from our 114 volunteers in this program.
“Helping this family allows me to see what really matters. Not only do you get to know
the kids, but you connect with everyone. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it!”
OPENING DOORS VOLUNTEER
“Thanks very much for your assistance. The CARAD volunteers are invaluable to our students
and we have noticed a remarkable improvement in their confidence, the social skills and school
work as a result of the support of these wonderful volunteers.”
NOLLAMARA PRIMARY SCHOOL STAFF MEMBER
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