Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group Inc

Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group was founded in 2001, twenty years ago. We are a group of ordinary Australians who remain united by the vision of a compassionate Australia where people seeking refuge and asylum are treated with justice and compassion. We are all volunteers. BMRSG has no particular religious or political affiliation except a commitment to common decency.

Friendship and support

We offer friendship and practical support for refugees and those seeking asylum.

Enabling Self Help

We enable refugees to thrive, not just survive as they develop their skills, activities and businesses.

Education and advocacy

We provide community education on refugee issues and advocate for government policies which reflect the spirit of the 1951 Refugee Convention

Achievements

During 2021-22 financial year two areas of assistance stood out, rent relief and food assistance as people with casual work lost hours due to COVID.

445

Christmas presents to refugee children

$150,930

Spent on rental assistance

43

Students got back to school payments

These achievements are only possible due to our wonderful volunteers. Visitors who stay in contact with those seeking asylum in the community and in detention, those who organise and support our Cars for Refuges program, the mentoring and English conversation volunteers, employment assistance team and fundraisers are just some who bring hope to so many.,

Take Action

Every Palm Sunday at Lawson people gather from faith groups, unions, community groups to demonstrate with placards along the highway with messages in support of Peace and Justice for All, especially Refugees.

Stay Informed

Some very positive news for refugees and asylum seekers with the Government’s announcement that they will provide a pathway to permanency for TPV/SHEV holders.
The new visa will be called a Resolution of Status visa (subclass 851) RoS.

Refugee Advice and Casework Service (RACS) have provided fact sheets with information about the new visa and the process to apply for it:

https://www.racs.org.au/tpv-shev-processing

Donate

Due to COVID many refugees have lost their casual jobs. In 2021 we spent $209 000 on refugee support mostly on rent relief and food assistance.

What we do

We offer friendship and practical support for refugees and people seeking asylum to enable refugees to thrive, not just survive as they develop their own skills activities and businesses