Refugee Support: Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) & Refugees, Survivors, and Ex-detainees (RISE)

Running Head: REFUGEE SUPPORT ASRC & RISE 1
Refugee Support: Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) &
Refugees, Survivors, and Ex-detainees (RISE)
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REFUGEE SUPPORT: ASRC & RISE 2
a) Description of organizations and their functions
People are displacement from their homes due to violence, war, natural disaster, or lack
of food. Currently, the number of emigrants worldwide is greater than 65 million. Yearly, less
than 1% of the refugees find security and settlement. Annual, refugee quota in Australia is
approximately 20, 000 individuals (Refugees, Survivors, & Ex-detainees, 2018). This paper
focuses on two local organizations; Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) and Refugees,
Survivors, and Ex-detainees (RISE).
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC)
ASR Centre was formed in 2001 by Kon Karapanagiotidis and its headquartered in
Footscray. It offers support to asylum seekers by offering health care, education, legal support,
aid, general support services, and empowerment programs (Asylum Seekers Resource Centre,
2013). There are over 1000 asylum seekers in Australia. They normally live in the community
searching for refugee protection. ASRC aims to uphold their rights and also offer them required
support and opportunity so that they can live independently. ASRC team involves volunteer
individuals and paid staff. They rely on aids and do not receive any funding from the federal
government (Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, 2013).
Refugees, Survivors, and Ex-detainees (RISE)
RISE was formed in March 2010 by refugees, asylum seekers as well as ex-detainees. It
is concerned with their welfare and seeks to offer protection (Riserefugee, 2019). It campaigns
for their rights, offers advice, and also engages in community development. It has so far
supported over 2600 members. It’s a voluntary social worker organization that relies on
philanthropy and community donations for its funding (Refugees, Survivors, & Ex-detainees,
2018). It is involved mainly in Advocacy Program where it represents its members in making

REFUGEE SUPPORT: ASRC & RISE 3
governmental or non-governmental policies as they seek to bring positive social change in the
community.
b) Program analysis and approach to client health and wellbeing
ASRC programs and social service at micro-, mezzo-, and macro-level
ASRC offers several programs such as counselling, psychiatry, and primary care
programs. These are offered at micro-level. They give first priority to individuals without
Medicare (Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, 2013). It promotes their health through extensive
foodbank and housing programs (micro-level). Additionally, through its education (mezzo-level)
and legal programs (macro-level), it ensures a supportive and holistic service delivery (Duman &
Snoubar, 2017).
ASRC approach to client health and wellbeing
Usually, the asylum seekers suffer from mental health issues due to trauma and various
challenges. These leads to high psychological morbidity, psychotic illnesses, and suicidal
ideation (Coffey et al., 2010). The disorders are facilitated by the anxiety on the status of the visa
or repatriation, poor access to services, social isolation, unemployment, housing instability, and
concern of their fellow family members back home. Therefore, ASRC seeks to offer primary
health care services in order to prevent illness and promote a heath lifestyle (Hadgkiss et al.,
2012). They also offer a counseling program (pro-bobo counselling service) that are aimed at
maximizing physical and psychological wellbeing (Hadgkiss, & Renzaho, 2014). These
programs are offered at micro-level where they tackle individual problem.
Asylum seekers also experience food insecurity due to lack of employment and financial
constraints (McKay & Dunn, 2015). Lack of food translates to poor health. Poor nutrition is
associated with high incidences of sickness and mortality rates (Victorian Government initiative,

REFUGEE SUPPORT: ASRC & RISE 4
2009). As such, the ASRC runs a program on Foodbank and Community Meals that provides
food to more than 800 asylum seekers every week at micro-level. They also offer material aid
that enables families to reconstruct their lives. Moreover, they empower people through
education and training to be able to learn English and develop important skills that can be useful
in employment pathways. For instance, the LEEP program offers internships for those that are
pursuing to enhance their skills in program evaluation (Asylum Seekers Resource Centre, 2013).
This program is offered at mezzo-level where they train as groups and receive mentorship and
professional development courses.
RISE programs and social service at micro-, mezzo-, and macro-level
On the other hand, RISE programs include advocacy programs that airs their grievances
at macro-level. They fight for the refugees’ policies, sidelining and shortcomings of the refugees,
and they have welfare support system (Riserefugee, 2019). Just like the ASRC, they offer
materials to families such as homewares and furniture to start new life at micro-levels. Also, they
facilitate resume clinic and employment pathways through effective training at mezzo levels, that
offers opportunities for securing a job.
RISE approach to client health and wellbeing
Through their programs, these groups can be able to improve their overall health. They
also have Food Bank services just like the ASRC which have been operational since 2011.
Hunger and food security are major issues affecting the refugees (McKay et al., 2018). As such,
much help from every quarter would greatly help elevate this problem. RISE offers free access to
dry foods, vegetables, and fruits to its members at micro-level. Just like ASRC, they also rely on
donations from well-wishers. They have a drop-in center where people can drop their donated
items. Contrary to ASRC, RISE has music & art project offered at mezzo-level, and is intended