2017 CARAD Annual Report

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Annual Report 2017 REPORT FROM THE CHAIR CARAD CONTINUES TO PROVIDE EXCELLENT SUPPORT TO OUR CLIENT GROUP AND IN THIS EVER-EVOLVING ENVIRONMENT WE CONTINUE TO ADAPT ACCORDINGLY Our ability to adapt is due to the professionalism, empathy and skill set that our staff members possess. In my role, I get to see first-hand just how committed and talented our staff members are and I am forever grateful to them for the magnificent outcomes they continue to achieve. Claire, Joanna, Esther and Ellie work passionately day in and day out. They continue to harness the hearts and minds of an everincreasing number of volunteers and together their work, energy and support continue to strengthen CARAD’s brand as the beacon it is to asylum seekers, refugees and detainees. Throughout 2017 we also had the services of Natasha Birch as our communications and marketing consultant and her efforts along with her team led by Hannah Graf has dramatically increased our profile, brand collateral and fund-raising pursuits accordingly. PETER GIANOLI We are now into the second year of our three-year grant agreement with the Sisters of St John of God. This arrangement has allowed us to focus on and enhance our volunteer involvement. Our volunteer numbers have risen to a level where our impact has been significant. So much so that many other organisations in the sector are now referring their clients, associated funding and resources to CARAD so we can meet the identified need. This focus on collaboration has always been at the heart of CARAD’s modus operandi and now thanks to the amount of volunteer power we can harness for any given cause, our impact and positioning is strengthening daily. Whilst we continue unabated in the delivery of our established programs such as homework support, detention visiting, food assistance and the like, over the past year CARAD has introduced a range of new activities which warrant highlighting. EAT. SHARE. CONNECT. Thanks to some seed funding from PROSH the Eat. Share. Connect. concept became reality. Each Wednesday a coterie of volunteers and clients meet to eat, share and connect over a banquet of exotic cuisine. These forums have allowed us to gain insights into the challenges our clients face and engage our stakeholders with clients in a hospitable environment. Our thanks also to our landlords the Uniting Church in the City for renovating the kitchen and dining areas of our premises as this too allowed Eat. Share. Connect. to evolve. The program has empowered a group of our clients into meaningful opportunities. In fact, this evening at our AGM the catering has been provided by this team as opposed to us using outside sources. Based on the success of Eat. Share. Connect. the Staff and Management Committee are working on even more adventurous plans and opportunities that we are hoping to attract funding for. 4
Annual Report 2017 HIGHER EDUCATION WORKING GROUP – ENHANCEMENT Thanks to a lot of hard work by Management Committee member Deidre Wright and her team, with cooperation from the Perth tertiary sector, CARAD continues to coordinate combined university information sessions for Asylum Seekers and Refugees. This provides a forum to hear about new scholarships, entry assistance and relevant information on preparation for study. We have also introduced an Academic English Program where students are provided lessons twice a week for twelve weeks under the tutelage of Dr Cheryl Lange and Dr Jenny Silburn. These have been well attended and do a great deal in fostering the future of attendees. The Management Committee is committed to the activities of this subcommittee and the logical next step is to put our energy into seeking some funding for a project officer. LIAISON WITH AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL – MARGARET RIVER Because of the great work Kieran O’Brien has mobilised for CARAD in the South West, a very fruitful relationship has developed with Amnesty International – Margaret River. Thanks to the facilitation efforts by Pauline McLeod we have been overwhelmed with the contributions and donations that have come from their efforts. When this group decides to achieve something, heaven help any obstacle that stands in their way. We are grateful for this very vibrant supporter group, both in terms of fundraising, awareness raising and other support. #COMPASSION IN ACTION Throughout 2017, I am sure members and volunteers have noticed the enhanced messaging and branding of our communication. Our website is now fully updated and operational (however like CARAD it will continue to evolve). Our newsletters are fresh, informative and welcomed and our events and activity programs have been enhanced. Our social media presence has been considerably developed and we have found our online fundraising activities have benefited therefore. I urge all members and supporters to continue to spread the CARAD word. Thanks to social media and our new profile this is now a lot easier than ever before. When you receive something electronically from us, or notice one of our social media posts please consider sharing it with your network – every extra click helps make a difference. Can I also acknowledge the efforts of my fellow Management Committee members for their tireless efforts, it is an honour to work with people so willing to put others first. To the Vice Chair James Jegasothy, Treasurer Dane Etheridge and Secretary Mark Shircore thank you for stepping up to do that little bit extra. To our volunteer bookkeeper Jason Parish, your efforts and professionalism have made a huge difference to the information we in the management committee have to better apply governance. To our retiring management committee members, thank you for all your efforts over the many years you have been Management Committee members, and we look forward to your continued involvement as volunteers. Thanks also to Melissa Goh who retired from CARAD in December 2016 after six years with our organisation as our Office Manager. Finally, I also acknowledge the many organisations and people who have donated money and goods to our cause. This year CARAD has positively influenced the lives of as many asylum seekers, refugees and detainees as we possibly can. Obviously, the more money we raise and more goods we have donated, the better our influence can be. Whether it be through our fund-raising letters, our online initiatives or our events and activities, please be assured that by you making a contribution we will honour that with an iron clad commitment that it will be used in its entirety to make each and every day that little bit better for our clients. PETER GIANOLI 5
Page 1 and 2: 2016-2017 Annual Report Centre for
Page 3: Annual Report 2017 13 ..... REPORT
Page 7 and 8: Annual Report 2017 WHO WE ARE CARAD
Page 9 and 10: Annual Report 2017 CASE MANAGEMENT
Page 11 and 12: “CARAD is unique in the community
Page 13 and 14: Annual Report 2017 VOLUNTEER PROGRA
Page 15 and 16: Annual Report 2017 CARAD volunteers
Page 17 and 18: Annual Report 2017 COMMUNICATIONS &
Page 19 and 20: Annual Report 2017 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Page 21 and 22: Annual Report 2017 TREASURER’S RE
Page 23 and 24: Annual Report 2017 STATEMENT OF FIN

2017 CARAD Annual Report

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