The Care to Share project is designed to connect residents in Melbourne’s west with refugee families by simple acts of kindness, according to founder Bree Anastasi.
“It came from the frustration of feeling too small to make a difference to asylum-seeker policy and processing,” she said.
“I realised it didn’t have to be at a political level, it could be grassroots … staying in touch with people who had made it through to the other side of the current system and letting them know they’re welcome.”
Ms Anastasi’s work with migrant service provider AMES St Albans revealed a gap in volunteer programs that foster relationships between established and newly arrived communities.
“I found lots of people willing to host dinners in their homes, but there was hesitation from the newly settled families … they didn’t know how welcome they’d be,” the Maribyrnong resident said.
“There are language barriers and it can be difficult. People are guarded and we want to create the mechanism that brings those barriers down.”
Care to Share has hosted about 10 dinners so far and Ms Anastasi is hopeful it will be the bridge between residents and the asylum-seeker community.
Her family hosted a dinner for Nassir and Zamin, who arrived from Pakistan last year.
“We just loved being in a local’s home sharing conversation and getting to know each other,” Nasir said.
Ms Anastasi agreed it was important to let new arrivals know you’re glad they’re here.
“We can do this by sharing a meal, sharing our time, listening to a story and learning something new about a culture,” she said. “The benefits are twofold: the community can be exposed to and learn about another culture, and people coming in can feel welcome and have extra support.
“We don’t ask anyone to give more than they’re able to. We just ask hosts to be welcoming and sensitive to cultural differences.”
Ms Anastasi hopes to expand the Care to Share project and says any space or in-kind contribution is welcome.
