Make a Difference
History of the program
Creating a new life and finding independence
From 2014–2024, the Sisters of Charity Foundation designated a residential building, named Providence House, for the exclusive use of clients of the Asylum Seekers Centre (ASC) who were homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Providence House residents were able to 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 also accessed educational and recreational activities, intensive casework, legal support, and help finding employment for those with work rights.
When residents had secured a visa and steady income, they were helped to transition out of Providence House and into independence.
The Sisters of Charity Foundation closed Providence House in March 2024 and is currently developing a new model to provide support to displaced people at risk of homelessness.
People seeking asylum have a lot to contribute to the Australian community, across their diversity, their creative ways of solving problems, the innovation brought from other countries, their qualifications, their resilience, and their immense will to make this place home.
Marina, ASC Intensive Support Caseworker
FAQs
Why does the Foundation want to help people seeking asylum?
Every year thousands of people seeking asylum arrive in Australia. Most have 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.
Why did the Foundation choose to partner with the Asylum Seekers Centre?
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.
What is the history of 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 managed the property from March 2015 until March 2024.
Why does the Foundation want to help people seeking asylum?
Every year thousands of people seeking asylum arrive in Australia. Most have 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.
Why did the Foundation choose to partner with the Asylum Seekers Centre?
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.
What is the history of 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 managed the property from March 2015 until March 2024.
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.
