House of Welcome

19/06/2026

Farah’s* story is one of courage, strength and the power of finding safety again.

After fleeing the devastation in Gaza, Farah and her family arrived in Sydney what they needed most was a place to feel safe and begin again.

Through House of Welcome’s transitional housing program, Farah and her family found stability and then community and the support to rebuild. Today, they are creating new connections and taking steps toward a more secure future.

But more families like Farah’s are reaching out right now with need for safe housing, food, and support is more urgent than ever for people seeking asylum and refugees.

Before June 30, your donation can make an immediate difference.

Your tax-deductible gift can provide a warm place to sleep, food on the table, and the support needed to begin again.

🩵Donate today and help be part of their next chapter.
https://25-years-house-of-welcome.raiselysite.com/

*Person and image de-identified to protect their privacy

18/06/2026

Celebrating 25 Years of Welcome this Refugee Week 🩵

Last week, we marked 25 years of House of Welcome alongside the community that has shaped this journey, including people seeking asylum, partners, volunteers, and supporters.

House of Welcome began as an initiative of the NSW Ecumenical Council, offering emergency accommodation to people released from Villawood Detention Centre with nowhere else to go. What started as a small, community-led response to urgent need has grown into a network of transitional housing and wraparound support across Western Sydney.

This milestone is a testament to what community can build together.

The night was filled with powerful reflections, shared stories, and moments of connection. It was a reminder that welcome is not a single act, but an ongoing commitment to safety, dignity, and belonging.

As we look ahead, that commitment matters more than ever. More families are seeking safety, and the need for support continues to grow.

Read more about the evening and the community behind 25 years of welcome
https://www.houseofwelcome.org.au/news/celebrating-25-years-of-welcome-in-refugee-week

18/06/2026

This week we mark National Refugee Week and its theme, ‘A Million Stories’ is a reminder of the courage, resilience and dignity of people seeking safety.

Inspired by Pope Leo’s ‘Magnifica Humanitas,’ we’re called to recognise the humanity in every person, especially those forced to flee violence, war, persecution or climate hardship. No one chooses to leave home; they simply seek safety and the chance to rebuild.

At SPC, we’re proud to welcome House of Welcome employees into our community, including Ms KunJip, who has rebuilt her life after escaping violence in PNG. Her strength enriches us all.

Refugees contribute so much to Australia, often stepping into roles that keep our communities moving. With partners like the House of Welcome, we see every day how support, dignity and opportunity transform lives.

And with World Cup fever in the air, it’s worth remembering, our Socceroos shine because of the many cultures and stories that make up our nation. 🙌🔵⚫️🟡 House of Welcome

07/06/2026

Last week, St Patrick's College once again showed up for our community.

Their annual blanket drive means families seeking asylum have one less thing to worry about this winter and the parent volunteers who deliver them are as generous with their time as they are with their hearts.

You’ll spot our new volunteer Michael in the first photos at the garage, getting right into the spirit on his very first official day with House of Welcome, not a bad way to start, especially in the rain.

From school communities to new volunteers, this is what welcome looks like.

05/06/2026

Everyone deserves the chance to begin again.

Your support helps create the safety, stability and dignity people seeking asylum and refugees need to move forward with their lives.

Your gift today helps keep safe transitional housing open, supports casework and employment pathways for someone taking their first steps toward a brighter future.

Be part of the next chapter in someone’s story – donate before 30 June.

👉 Donate here:
https://25-years-house-of-welcome.raiselysite.com/

04/06/2026

We wanted to share a quick update from our friends at Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).

Their page was recently suspended and, despite ongoing efforts, hasn’t been recoverable. They’ve now created a new page and are working to rebuild their Facebook community from scratch.

We’d really encourage you to follow and support them here:
https://www.facebook.com/JesuitRefugeeServiceAustralia/

Thank you to our friends at House of Welcome for hosting us, ASC and Life Without Barriers for a Disability Awareness workshop facilitated by SSI.

At JRS Australia, we support people seeking asylum as they navigate barriers to finding safe and meaningful work. People living with disabilities face many additional hurdles accessing their rights and agency and we want to help fix this.

We are grateful for opportunities like this to learn together, strengthen our practice, and build more inclusive pathways to employment.

Learn more about our employment program here: https://buff.ly/S6rv6N6

28/05/2026

Yesterday, House of Welcome hosted a Disability Awareness workshop for employment staff and volunteers from Jesuit Refugee Service - JRS, Asylum Seekers Centre and Life Without Barriers facilitated by SSI - Settlement Services International. It was an important opportunity for capacity building and deep discussion — another example of our sector collaborating and sharing resources in such a meaningful way.

People seeking asylum contend with a new workplace culture, a new language, visa restrictions and, often, a complete absence of network or community. Living with a disability in addition makes that journey so much harder.

Through partnerships like this, we are strengthening our collective ability to recognise barriers, challenge assumptions and create more inclusive pathways into employment. We are determined to support people with disability seeking asylum to find not just any job, but safe, secure and meaningful work.

22/05/2026

Yesterday, House of Welcome attended the launch of the Refugee and Migrant Workers Centre.

This centre will provide people we support with much-needed legal advice on employment laws, individual advocacy and support navigating their rights at work. People seeking asylum, refugees and migrants are often vulnerable to workplace bullying and exploitation and precarious visa situations can compound that risk.

The Refugee and Migrant Workers Centre is an important step in strengthening and protecting the rights of all workers including those seeking safety ✊

21/05/2026

Happy National Volunteer Week!

To all of our incredible House of Welcome volunteers thank you. Your time, energy and generosity help create welcome, safety and belonging for people seeking asylum and refugees in our community.

We simply could not do what we do without your commitment, compassion and consistency, and we are deeply grateful for the way you stand alongside people seeking safety and for the hope you help build every day.

Pictured is one of our longest-standing volunteers graciously accepting a certificate of appreciation from our Employment Officer, Salbi, a small acknowledgment of the enormous contribution our volunteers make 🤝

15/05/2026

FASSTT Sydney brought together sector partners, colleagues, and community members who are reshaping how we respond to torture and trauma.

➡️Swipe to read Ruth’s reflections that speak to the relationships, trust, and lived experience at the heart of this work.

In a time of escalating displacement and tightening support for people seeking asylum, compassionate, trauma‑informed responses, grounded in strong partnerships and advocacy, are more important than ever.

Also pictured: sector colleagues Ziyad Serhan from Educaid and Amy Smith from Kindred Consulting