Their core purpose is to sponsor and settle refugees towards independence and integration into our community. These new community members are assisted by MVSRG in countless ways but most notably by providing them with the confidence to engage with the wider community, access to the knowledge and skills to gain independence and then the transport to places they need to achieve this.

Project: Fuelling Social Inclusion
Organisation: Murray Valley Sanctuary Refugee Group
Impact Areas: Equity, Connection + Wellbeing
Grant: 2023 Border Trust Community Grant funded by the Scanlon Foundation
Awarded Amount: $10,000

Funds will be used to support volunteers who transport new settlers arriving in Albury Wodonga on humanitarian visas. These settlers have various appointments -health, dental, life education, attendance at various programs or forums – on their integration journey and do not have cars to travel independently.  Fuel vouchers will be distributed to those MVSRG volunteers with limited financial means, in order to increase their capacity to contribute their free time to supporting the new arrivals. The volunteer group includes former refugees supported by MVSRG who are now giving back and helping other new settlers at the start of their life in Australia.

The grant will ensure that the volunteers are able to assist these new community members in getting to their appointments, lessons, schooling, programs and stores.