RISE General Appeal

RISE was established in Melbourne in 2009, RISE is a non-profit organisation. We are a unique advocacy body, the first in Australia to be run and governed by refugees, asylum seekers and ex-detainees. We act for and advocate on behalf of refugees and migrants, for the implementation of better refugee policies by the government, and to increase the social awareness of refugee issues in our country. Our vision is to develop a society in which refugees are welcomed, respected and safe; a society in which they can flourish and achieve their full potential.

RISE represents over 20 refugee community groups in Australia and runs projects to benefit them directly. To achieve this we use our own prior-settlement experiences and expertise. Our endeavor, to directly influence refugee projects and policies, is as important to us as our own lives. We are deeply committed and dedicated.

Within our first year, we have already provided services for over 700 refugees and asylum seekers under the RISE framework. Through our provision of services throughout Victoria, RISE has helped the resettlement of refugees and prevented their marginalisation. By creating humanitarian pathways of opportunity, we have helped to sustain a more cohesive refugee community. It is with this passion and perseverance that we believe that RISE services have the potential to further enrich the lives of those seeking a new life in Australia.

Services currently provided by RISE include:

• Welfare and crisis assistance
• Emergency settlement needs
• Legal and advocacy services
• Health and well-being services for families
• Driving lessons to attain 'L' and 'P' plates
• Recreational and Employment services
• Educational mentoring, including providing school materials for new arrivals
• Public transport costs for students
• Music and arts projects for youth

The number of people accessing and utilising RISE services has expanded much faster than anticipated and the demand for our services is increasing. We hope to provide a drop-in centre for refugees, open from 9 am to 9 pm daily, while continuing to enhance the RISE framework of projects, advocacy and research.

We are a grassroots organisation, operating at the grassroots level. We need your help to keep this organisation thriving. We urge you to lend us your support by making a tax-deductible donation. Your donation will assist our dedicated volunteers to provide services directly to refugees, asylum seekers, adults and entire families. With your help, we can build a better and stronger future for all.

RISE is a Tax deductible organization and your financial support helps us to enable refugees to build new lives in Australia in which they can flourish and achieve their fullest potential. We operate with some of the most marginalised members of our society, and in areas which are grossly underserviced. To respond to this need, we need your financial support.