The Community Refugee Welcome Centre is a healing space for Inner West local community and people from refugee background to gather, create, share culture and knowledge, and more importantly, break down social isolation.
It is significant that an abandoned and empty building has now been transformed to a place full of life and innovation by its incredible participants. It has shaped a new diverse community which is filled with lifelong friendship, kindness, support and care.
During the pandemic, we have received enormous messages from the community, stating how getting together at the Centre was life-changing and crucial for them. The fact that people mutually welcome each other and there is no hierarchy, creates a welcoming space where no one feels alienated.
Here are some insights from our community, reflecting how the Centre has brought positive change into their lives.
Elizabeth's story
Refuge of the heart
You came for the company
For the opportunity to have a day off from the worries
And cares of your daily life.
To walk beside soothing waters, to dance.
To hear your own language, and to learn some of mine.
To cook, to share a meal, to taste the spices of a homeland.
Yours or mine.
I came to banish my sense of impotence at the failures of our nation
To support people who seek to live in safety with their children.
Together we learn that we speak the same language
Of love and of family
Even the words of worry and care.
Together we make new stories for our lives
Stories that include each other.
Our Fridays together create new heartlands,
In which we live, laugh, dance, share a meal.
Where we belong, together, equally.
©Elizabeth Mulrennan 2020
Kathy's story
I was previously a TAFE teacher, working in Outreach, developing programs and courses for those seeking an opportunity for a second chance in life. I was involved in assisting another TAFE teacher to deliver classes to prospective volunteers joining the Community and Refugee Welcome Centre. Shortly after I left my job, I felt a little bit lost, so decided to join the Centre as a volunteer.
I was initially attracted to this place as it has a strong ethos of welcoming and creating a connection between volunteers, the local community, refugees and people seeking asylum. I was inspired by the human rights based focus this centre had championed of self-determination and transformation. It has been wonderful to see many of the beautiful people I have met go from a passive participant at the centre to drivers of their own journeys in what they wanted the centre to evolve into.
Initially when the centre first opened welcoming people was a bit reserved. However over time as the group became more comfortable and familiar with each the welcomes were genuine and from the heart. It shifted from the official welcoming a guest to a community.
I really enjoy activities such as joining belly dancing, assisting in English classes, helping with storytelling workshops and participating in dance-fit classes. I learned about other people's personal stories, culture and traditions. At times I felt out of my comfort zone as a lot seemed unfamiliar but I was welcomed by the group to join in, connect and learn about different people's experiences and traditions in a non-threatening way.
As a volunteer, I often assist in the kitchen where each week a small group of women cook lunch. This is a lovely way to be welcomed into their lives. The simple act of sharing a meal has created a strong connection within the group. It is lovely to learn about other people's backgrounds and the cuisines of their country of origin.
The biggest highlight I have had as a volunteer was assisting a small group of inspirational people to organise a weekend pop-up Persian Coffee house. This showcased the rich, artistic customs and traditions of Iranian and Afghan people. It was rewarding to be accepted into this group and embrace their rich heritage. The event was a great success with many people from the community being welcomed to walk into an immersive space showcasing Persian culture.
Sophie's story
Sophie Bejok
I arrived in Australia in January 2018 with my parents and my brother. We were lucky to come to Australia after experiencing difficult times in the war, having to move to another country and living with uncertainty. Since I came to Australia, I have always felt welcomed and valued, and I have got so much support from organisations and individuals, who have helped me to settle in my new home. From my first step in Australia, Settlement Services International (SSI) -through many professional and friendly workers- has given me and my family a big social support, by giving us information about the life in Australia, introducing us to variety of social activities (such as swimming lessons, dance classes, information workshops and community kitchen) and helping me to establish a network with (Western Sydney Migrant Resource Centre (WSMRC), Inner West Council through supporting and providing the Community Refugee Welcome Centre such as swimming lessons at Leichhardt Aquatic Centre) Settlement Services International (SSI) Ignite and media channels.
I have always been keen to give back to the community, I have helped many people who came after me to Australia, by giving them information or help them with the language.
I also ran a cooking activity for new comers, which helped me to connect and welcome people by introducing some fun activities to them.
Through my social activities I met people from different backgrounds, I made sure to show welcome by sharing my culture and making friendships with the people around me. .
بعد أن مررنا بأوقات صعبة في الحرب ، واضطررنا للانتقال إلى بلد آخر والعيش في ظروف غير مؤكدة. منذ مجيئي إلى أستراليا ، شعرت دائمًا بالترحيب والتقدير ، وحصلت على الكثير من الدعم من منظمات وأفراد، ممن ساعدوني في الاستقرار في موطني الجديد. منذ خطوتي الأولى في أستراليا ، قدمتSettlement Services International (SSI) - من خلال العديد من العاملين المحترفين والودودين - لي و لعائلتي، دعمًا اجتماعيًا كبيرًا ، من خلال تزويدنا بمعلومات حول الحياة في استراليا ، وتقديمنا إلى العديد من الأنشطة الاجتماعية ( مثل دروس السباحة ، صفوف الرقص ، محضرات تثقيفية، و مطبخ المجتمع) و مساعدتي في إنشاء شبكة مع (مركز سيدني الغربي لموارد المهاجرين WSMRC, و Inner West Council من خلال دعم وتوفير مركز استقبال اللاجئين الاجتماعي، Ignite و وسائل الإعلام.
لقد كنت دائمًا حريصًة على رد الجميل للمجتمع، وقد ساعدت العديد من الأشخاص الذين جاءوا بعدي إلى أستراليا ، من خلال إعطائهم معلومات أو مساعدتهم في اللغة.
كما قمت بإجراء نشاط طهي للقادمين الجدد ، مما ساعدني على التواصل مع الناس والترحيب بهم من خلال تقديم بعض الأنشطة الترفيهية لهم.
من خلال أنشطتي الاجتماعية التقيت بأشخاص من خلفيات مختلفة ، حرصت على إظهار الترحيب من خلال مشاركة ثقافتي وتكوين صداقات مع الأشخاص من حولي.
Laurette's story
Laurette Kebbe
I came to Australia 3 years ago with my children, it was difficult for me because I don't know English and I don't have a community.
I started to go to the Refugee Welcome Centre, with my 2 daughters and my grand daughter. I love to go there because the volunteers and the workers make me feel welcomed, they help me with English and we become friends. I started to consider it as a new home and a new family. I enjoy cooking for the people in the centre, and presenting my culture to them, because welcome has been always our tradition.
لقد جئت إلى أستراليا قبل ٣ سنوات مع أطفالي ، كان الأمر صعبًا بالنسبة لي لأنني لا أعرف اللغة الإنجليزية وليس لدي مجتمع.
بدأت في الذهاب إلى مركز استقبال اللاجئين مع ابنتي و حفيدتي. أحب أن أذهب إلى هناك لأن المتطوعين والعاملين يجعلوني أشعر بالترحاب ، فهم يساعدونني في اللغة الإنجليزية و يبنون علاقات الصداقة بيننا. بدأت أعتبره منزلًا جديدًا وعائلة جديدة لي. أنا أستمتع بالطهي للأشخاص في المركز ، وأقدم ثقافتي لهم ، لأن الترحيب كان دائمًا من تقاليدنا.