Camberwell Refuge Support (CRS) Ministry
CRS MOTIVATION
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We come together as a group of people who are concerned at the barriers and injustices that refugees face in surviving in the Australian community.
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We are deeply distressed at the impact this alienation has on their physical and emotional wellbeing.
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We want to see refugees treated with humanity and compassion; the rightful expectation for every person living in Australia.
CRS OBJECTIVES
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To take every opportunity to welcome and advocate for refugees in our community.
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To provide accommodation for a small number of individuals as they await processing of their cases for residency.
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To raise funds to support the housing project and encourage people in our community to contribute goods that directly meet the daily living needs of the people who are welcomed at the residence.
CRS METHOD
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CRS is intentionally an open community group, and while it is based at Camberwell Uniting Church, it works in partnership with the congregations of Highfield Road UC and St John’s Anglican Church Camberwell, and readily welcomes the participation of others from the wider community.
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CRS liaises with Lentara which has oversight of the placement of the residents and provides counselling support through the provision of case workers.
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CRS meets regularly (bi-monthly) to discuss and plan action to support group objectives. This includes shared reflection and education on refugee issues generally.
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Significant fund raising activities are conducted from time to time.
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Physical maintenance of the refugee house is a very necessary and ongoing focus for CRS, as is the provision for residents’ basic daily physical needs (e.g. food, toiletries, etc).