What we’ve achieved together in 2014

 2014 was a year of enormous challenges for ASRC and for asylum seekers generally, as the Federal Government sought to implement ever-harsher policies.

We saw more and more people turn to the ASRC to help meet their daily needs.

Thanks to the generosity and care of our many supporters, donors and partners, we were able to provide crucial services and support to more than 1500 asylum seekers throughout the year.

Our achievements in 2014 included:

• Building and moving into our amazing new Footscray home, with 680 volunteers helping over 39 working bees to turn the shell of an old office building into a vibrant, welcoming Centre.

• Providing English classes and employment services to more than 740 members through our new Dandenong Centre.

• Building a 1000-strong team of volunteers who provided help and expertise across all areas of the organisation including Foodbank, material aid, kitchen, legal, health and client services, IT, administration, fundraising, communications.

• More than 6500 individuals and organisations donating over $6 million, ensuring we were able to provide crucial ongoing services to asylum seekers.

• Delivering over 2300 legal appointments, 3200 health appointments, 4000 hours of English classes and 1500 counselling appointments.

• Serving 40,000 community meals throughout the year and providing groceries to over 200 families each week.

• Through our social enterprises, catering more than 760 events and providing over 6000 hours of cleaning services.

• Engaging and educating 21,500 people through our Schools and Speakers Programs.

• Brokering 110 sustainable jobs for asylum seekers.

• Providing almost 200,000 hours of public transport, distributing almost 40,000 nappies and providing 1400 asylum seekers with winter coats and blankets through our material aid program.

• Holding two major Information Evenings in Melbourne attended by thousands of people.

• Partnering with Get-Up to arrange a Light the Dark vigil for Reza Berati after he was murdered in detention on Manus Island.

We will continue to provide support and assistance to asylum seekers throughout 2015 and advocate for their fair and humane treatment.