Join us on Sunday 19 June at 3.30pm for an ecumenical service to mark the beginning of Refugee Week, and to launch the 100,000 for Refugees initiative. Music, children’s activities, speakers and videos will provide interactive opportunities to learn more about what one person can do to assist the settlement of refugees in our community.
100,000 for Refugees has been developed by the Archdeacon for Parish Partnerships, St Paul’s Cathedral, Anglicare, and the Brotherhood of St Laurence. The campaign invites 100,000 individuals to make a positive contribution to the welfare of refugees and other migrants who have settled in Melbourne by donating a minimum of $1 (donations of $2 and over are tax-deductible). These supporters are then encouraged to be proactive in the community by becoming involved with the wonderful work and ministry already occurring through the agencies and parishes of the Diocese. The money raised will be used to strengthen and support that work.
Funds raised will be primarily directed into three existing programs run by Anglican Agencies and the Cathedral: Anglicare’s provision of emergency housing for refugees; the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s ‘Skills Training for Refugees’ program; and the Cathedral ESL classes. In addition to this, we will offer financial support to projects undertaken by parishes in the Diocese to assist refugees. These may be existing programs in need of strengthening, or new projects that meet the Parish Project requirements as per the Migrants and Refugees Settlement Fund Guidelines.
We encourage all to get on board with this initiative – even the smallest donation of money or time can contribute to making a big difference!