Make a difference
Providence House
Creating a new life and finding independence
The Sisters of Charity Foundation has designated a residential building, named Providence House, for the exclusive use of clients of the Asylum Seekers Centre who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Providence House residents can access practical support through the Centre, including financial assistance, health care and medication, and groceries and meals. In addition to having their basic needs met, residents can also access educational and recreational activities, intensive casework, legal support, and finding employment for those who have work rights.
When residents have secured a visa and steady income, they are helped to transition out of Providence House and into independence.
When you try to build up your skills, in this moment if you find support like Providence House – I have no words to explain… Every resident will never forget this house and the chance to live here.
Suravi, Providence House resident
Why is the Foundation helping asylum seekers?
Access to safe, quality housing is a basic human need and fundamental to helping traumatised people make a new start.
Every year thousands of asylum seekers seek refuge in Australia. Most arrive with nothing, know no one and are deeply traumatised by the circumstances of their displacement. Most are not able to access any form of government support and they must rely on compassionate, well organised non-government organisations and charities to assist with their most basic needs.
Our partnership with the Asylum Seekers Centre
To celebrate the Sisters of Charity’s 175 years in Australia, the Foundation launched a legacy project to make a real and lasting difference to one of the most disadvantaged groups of people in our society. After consultation with Homelessness NSW, the Foundation approached the Asylum Seekers Centre to develop a housing partnership.
The Asylum Seekers Centre provides practical and personal support to people living in the community who are seeking asylum. Its services include accommodation, financial relief, legal advice, health care and counselling, employment assistance, education, nutrition and social support. Of the recent arrivals at the Centre, about two-thirds are homeless or about to become homeless and 98% require mental health support. About a third have no Medicare support and more than a third do not have the right to work.
About Providence House
In 2014 the Sisters of Charity Foundation invested close to $3 million in the purchase and renovation of Providence House; an 8-bedroom, 4-apartment residential building located in Sydney’s Inner West.
The Asylum Seekers Centre began managing the property in March 2015 and the Sisters of Charity Foundation continues to take care of its ongoing maintenance costs.
Why is the Foundation helping asylum seekers?
Access to safe, quality housing is a basic human need and fundamental to helping traumatised people make a new start.
Every year thousands of asylum seekers seek refuge in Australia. Most arrive with nothing, know no one and are deeply traumatised by the circumstances of their displacement. Most are not able to access any form of government support and they must rely on compassionate, well organised non-government organisations and charities to assist with their most basic needs.
Our partnership with the Asylum Seekers Centre
To celebrate the Sisters of Charity’s 175 years in Australia, the Foundation launched a legacy project to make a real and lasting difference to one of the most disadvantaged groups of people in our society. After consultation with Homelessness NSW, the Foundation approached the Asylum Seekers Centre to develop a housing partnership.
The Asylum Seekers Centre provides practical and personal support to people living in the community who are seeking asylum. Its services include accommodation, financial relief, legal advice, health care and counselling, employment assistance, education, nutrition and social support. Of the recent arrivals at the Centre, about two-thirds are homeless or about to become homeless and 98% require mental health support. About a third have no Medicare support and more than a third do not have the right to work.
About Providence House
In 2014 the Sisters of Charity Foundation invested close to $3 million in the purchase and renovation of Providence House; an 8-bedroom, 4-apartment residential building located in Sydney’s Inner West.
The Asylum Seekers Centre began managing the property in March 2015 and the Sisters of Charity Foundation continues to take care of its ongoing maintenance costs.
Moving into Providence House was the happiest moment in my life. I was so excited to get in. The house is so nice, huge, with a hall, a beautiful kitchen with two bedrooms, so clean, and it had aircon – unbelievable for me!
Anita, Providence House resident
Nula's story
What help and hope can do
Nula is a young woman from an African country. In her homeland she was the victim of physical and sexual violence. She was not allowed to have access to her children and left fearing for her life.
When she came to Australia, Nula wanted to work. She wanted to know how she could change her life. She had already started studying at TAFE while sleeping on the floor of a community member’s home and reached out to the Asylum Seekers Centre for help.
The ASC assessed Nula and she was transitioned into Providence House.
There Nula met other women who showed her how to travel to the shops, how to attend information sessions about safety, tenancy rights and responsibilities, and she learned the basics of shared living. She also attended the female GP and nurse clinic and was referred to counselling.
Nula is now safe and independent. She moved into a private rental unit and is happily employed as an aged care worker. She is very grateful for the accommodation that she received at Providence House – without it, Nula says she would have found it difficult to gain the independence that she needed to be her true self and part of the Australian community.
Make a Donation
You can help people seeking asylum find safe and stable accommodation
Select ‘Asylum Seekers Housing Program’ from the drop-down menu when donating to show people seeking asylum that you welcome them and care about their wellbeing.
All donations over $2 are tax deductible, which means your kindness will earn you a tax benefit on your next refund.
