LEADERS OF THE FUTURE

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1 WINTER LEADERS OF THE FUTURE Every day at ARA another extraordinary young person walks through our doors, some from a refugee background, others looking for ways to help. Through various programs, ARA brings these young people together to work towards creating the greatest leaders for our future. ARA launches its Youth Ambassador Program each year with an overnight camp. For some this is their first time out of Adelaide, or even the first night spent away from their parents. For all, it is a chance to experience something new and to begin to plan their future. Supported by staff and volunteers, ARA s Youth Ambassadors spend the two day program undergoing training in areas such as leadership, public speaking, goalsetting, and more. Through different mediums they share their backgrounds and stories, either publicly through presenting to the group or through the creation of art, or more privately in small groups and spontaneous conversation. COMMENTS FROM CAMP The two groups of young people benefit from the camps and the overall program in very different ways. Those from a refugee background learn valuable new skills and get to meet more of the people behind our service, such as ARA s President Lois Boswell who runs sessions on public speaking. And the young people who were born in Australia get to learn the real facts about refugees, forgetting what they ve heard through the media and being able to learn from the lived experience of their new friends. Both groups of young people find their voice, their passion, and the desire to effect change. The ARA Youth Ambassador Program is funded solely through donations and philanthropic support to the organisation. In order to expand the program we are currently seeking Youth Ambassador Sponsors, both individuals and organisations, to help us to assist young people achieve their best. Through the Youth Ambassador Program young people are provided with critical life skills, leadership opportunities, and chances to have their voices heard. Your assistance will enable us to grow this program, and provide wider and greater opportunities for young people from multicultural backgrounds to become the next leaders of our future. I m currently in year 12, and working towards applying to study political science next year at university, says one participant. My mum is from a refugee background and she s told me her story. I m so lucky now, and I want others to have the life I have. All I want to do now is help, how can I help? says one participant, a year 11 student from an Australian background.

2 FROM THE CEO During National Youth Week in April I attended a high school assembly. The children had already spent the day doing various activities; they were restless and excited. The teachers stood at the back of the hall, like silent sentinels watching the young people talk and laugh, trying desperately to catch the eye of the boy in the New York Yankees baseball cap who was being a little too rowdy. Wanting to tell him off with their eyes, not willing to shout his name and become the centre of attention. The assembled teenagers finally settled down as five young students stepped in front of the crowd. Nervously they walked to the centre, standing shoulder to shoulder and holding hands. Somebody pressed play on an ancient CD player, the rhythmic drums only just audible over the murmur of bored, hot school kids. The boys started their dance, everybody watched as they settled into their routine. All around the hall phones were lifted into the air, capturing memories. It was at this point that reality hit me. The boys that I was watching, the dancers with wide smiles and careless joy, were Syrian. Earlier that week the town of Idlib was torn apart by bombs, and here in Adelaide five Syrian boys danced in front of a crowd of their peers without a care in the world. The stark contrast to news reports coming out of their home country was bitter sweet. The civil war in Syria is devastating, the fact that we can give hope to some fills me with joy, and hope for the future. The school was the Adelaide Secondary School of English. A school that caters to the needs of refugees and new arrivals, teaching them English language skills to prepare them for further education so they can realise their full potential. For the brief moment that I witnessed these young people come together in celebration of dance, music, and joy, I was reminded that our differences are only skin deep. School can be a tough place for developing minds, especially when you have grown up in the chaos that many of these youngsters have. What struck me was that there was no embarrassment from any of the children. No awkward shifting away from being involved, just wholehearted acceptance. This is why we do what we do at the Australian Refugee Association. I could give you a breakdown of where every single dollar we receive goes. I could tell you about the programs we run, the assistance we give and the practical and tangible changes we make to people lives, but the most important gift that your donation gives is freedom. Freedom to smile, freedom to be safe, freedom to live, and freedom to love. Your generosity creates something that cannot have a value. Your donations create smiles. Thank you for creating those smiles. Kirsten.

3 WINTER Imagine arriving in a new country, in the middle of winter, in the early hours of the morning And not being able to read, speak or understand the local language. Imagine not being able to fill out your own paperwork without help, even for medical assistance. Your independence gone. The feeling of being helpless and relying on others would be overwhelming. In a foreign country, a westerner would seek help from our consulate. Humanitarian arrivals in Australia do not have that luxury. They are displaced from their home country, forced to make a new start from scratch in an unfamiliar land. Remember when you were a child learning to ride your bike? Somebody would hold on to the seat, helping you before releasing you to ride on your own. Remember that feeling of pride, accomplishment and freedom that was given to you by your support? You no longer needed them, but you were incredibly grateful for that support and it will live in your memory forever. For almost 50 years the Australian Refugee Association (ARA) has been giving that support to people escaping persecution. We put people onto a new path to independence and watch as they ride away to a new life. Many people who come to ARA for assistance find themselves owning thriving businesses and contributing to Australian society in ways they never thought possible. All they needed was a steady hand to help whilst they found their balance. Young people also come to ARA for help; new arrival children can struggle with their school work Upon engaging with an ARA Homework Club we see extreme improvement as young people receive assistance from our dedicated staff and volunteers. To watch a student go from being isolated and detached to being confident and engaged, or moving from high school into higher education, is one of the most rewarding aspects of working with ARA. The homework clubs ensure that children who arrive in Australia receive a solid foundation for their future education, making sure that all children can achieve their best. While ARA receives various grants and funding to carry out programs in accordance with government policy, we still need and rely on your help to ensure that we can support new arrivals on their journey to becoming contributing members of our society. Your donations allow us to meet the needs of new Australians. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your generous support and urge you to continue to help. Donations can be made on the included slip or on our website.

4 UPCOMING EVENTS REFUGEE WEEK SOCCER CARNIVAL 18 4 PM THE PARKS FOOTBALL CENTRE 2-46 COWAN ST ANGLE PARK SOUTHERN SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM AM - 1 PM MARCELLIN TECHNICAL COLLEGE CORNER BEACH AND MANDER ROADS CHRISTIE DOWNS CENTRAL SCHOOL SYMPOSIUM AM - 2 PM BRADLEY SCOTT FORUM ORATION PM ALLAN SCOTT AUDITORIUM PORTRAIT EXHIBITION 2017 BRADLEY SCOTT FORUM, 4 10 AM AUGUST - 2 PM OUR TABLE GALA DINNER 19 AUGUST 6:30-11:30 PM PLANT 4 BOWDEN 6 PARK TERRACE BOWDEN EMPOWERING COURAGEOUS PEOPLE ARA s mission is to help refugees become settled and participating citizens of Australia. We believe in the capacity and desire of refugees to be productive citizens through contributing to social, cultural and economic life in Australia. ARA provides services in the areas of settlement, migration, youth, employment, social activities and support, community education and skills development. ARA aims to be a holistic service provider, ensuring that all new arrivals have access to a full range of settlement services through our partnerships in both the community and private sectors. 304 HENLEY BEACH ROAD UNDERDALE SA COMMERCIAL ROAD SALISBURY SA 5108 P F E RECEPTION@AUSREF.NET ARA acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their culture, and to elders both past and present.

5 WINTER DONATION SLIP once-off donation $35 $75 $100 $500 other monthly donation $ (continue monthly until / / or until further notice) yearly donation $ (continue yearly until / / or until further notice) Please send me more information on: Cultural Awareness Training Leaving a donation in my will Volunteering Sign me up to the ARA enewsletter Please find enclosed my cheque/money order made out to Australian Refugee Association OR please debit my: Visa Mastercard Amex Credit Card Number: Cardholder Name: Expiry Date: Signature: Donations over $2.00 are tax deductible To make a credit card donation by phone please call Donations can be made online at australianrefugee.org Return this form in the supplied reply paid envelope.