WORKING WITH ASYLUM SEEKERS TO END HOMELESSNESS AND DESTITUTIONThe Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project works with asylum seekers who are lawfully awaiting an outcome on their refugee or humanitarian protection claim, but who face destitution without community support.
Hotham Mission ASP provides: professional casework support; housing; a basic living allowance (BLA); help with utilities and emergencies; a volunteer program of one-to-one support (LinkUP); men's and women's support groups; State and national policy advocacy; and research towards a better reception framework for the future.
Within the group of NGOs who cooperate to help asylum seekers in the community, Hotham Mission ASP bears the particular responsibility of providing accommodation, basic income and casework services for those who are the most vulnerable in the determination process and those who are least able to take advantage of the recent positive changes in Commonwealth policy. Many of these children, women and men have suffered physical and/or emotional trauma in their home countries, and combinations of homelessness, ill-health, isolation and mental illness in Australia. Some have endured periods of detention.
NEW BOOK: "FINDING SHELTER"THE STORY OF AUSTRALIA'S POOREST PEOPLE
ORDER NOW! CALL 03 9326 8343. ONLY $20 (plus postage)
All proceeds will provide direct help for asylum seekers struggling to survive in the community.
Finding Shelter is also available at:
Hotham Mission ASP, 2/579 Queensberry St, North Melbourne;
Unichurch Books, 130 Little Collins St, Melbourne;
Readings, 309 Lygon St, Carlton; and
ON-LINE from the MediaCom Education on-line bookstore
(June 2009) The Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project has launched a new book that captures the stories of asylum seekers in their own words, the issues and policies that defined ten years in Australian history, and the remarkable work of the Hotham Mission Asylum Seeker Project. Read more about Finding Shellter
(Hotham Mission ASP thanks the Planet Wheeler Foundation and Red Fish Blue Fish (Creative) for their generous support for this publication!)
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AWARDS
Hotham Mission ASP Awarded the Human Rights Award for 2002
Hotham Mission ASP was awarded the 2002 Human Rights Award for the Community by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC). Hotham Mission ASP was praised by the judges for the way in which it had not only directly assisted needy asylum seekers by providing support to them when they have nowhere else to go, but for also dealing with the root of the problem by delivering policy proposals to the government. The project had also demonstrated to the government that it is possible to systematically house asylum seekers when released from detention.
Hotham Mission ASP nominated for the French Republic's Human Rights Award i
Hotham Mission ASP was also nominated for the French Republic's Human Rights Award in 2003. The two focus themes for 2003 were; 1) Protecting women against all forms of violence and discrimination, and 2) Improving the situation of detainees. The prize was awarded in Paris by the French Prime Minister on Human Rights Day.
Our Mission Statement
To contribute to the development of a comprehensive framework of support and to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for asylum seekers without any entitlements in Victoria.
Annual Report 2008
For the latest Annual Report of the Asylum Seeker Project (2008) click on the link at top right above.
'Your project provided a new life to our souls and bodies that were like a wilted plant.'
An asylum seeker family released from detention into the care of Hotham Mission ASP
Hotham Mission ASP has served asylum seekers since 1997. Hotham Mission ASP was awarded the 2002 Human Rights Community Award by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (Australia).
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