Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families

Welcome to SCARF

Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families (SCARF) is an independent, not-for-profit, community based and incorporated association established to enhance the resettlement process of permanent resident status refugee entrants in the Illawarra Region of NSW.

About SCARF - For a 65 second video about SCARF's activities... [here] (2.7MB .WMV file)

Were you looking for Sunshine Coast Africa Relief Fund, also known as SCARF?... [here]______________________________________________________________________________________

SCARF Office Hours
Because SCARF's Training & Community Centre is staffed by volunteers it is not open every day. For the current opening hours... [here]

SCARF gratefully acknowledges Temporary Financial Assistance from the Australian Government to support the SCARF Training & Community Centre.
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Volunteer Resources... [here]

Volunteer Policies & Procedures... [here]

Volunteer Forms... [here]
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News for our Community Members... [here]

Programs for our Community Members... [here]
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Volunteers Needed
SCARF is always in need of more volunteers! At this time we are specifically looking for volunteers willing to be involved as mentors and/or English tutors to adults. Contact Sharyn... [here]

We are also needing extra team members for our "Computers for the Community" Program. Contact Chris... [here] ______________________________________________________

SCARF Supporters
SCARF appreciates the support received from various companies and organisations which make it possible to run our programs. Details of our supporters... [here]
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	Membership - Join SCARF! Members play an important role in the development of our programs. Find more about membership.

	Make a Donation Show support for the refugee community with a tax deductible donation.

	Get Involved Find out about volunteering opportunities here.

	News and Events Upcoming events for SCARF's members and friends. Plus news and pictures of recent activities.

	Contact SCARF To find out more about the work of SCARF, or to offer fundraising ideas, please contact us.

CURRENT NEWS

Computers for the Community Milestone
For 3 years SCARF has been providing IT support to the refugee community in the Illawarra. This support includes provision of a computer and associated hardware, and in most cases assistance with connection to the internet.

John Bukasa hard at work
on the family’s computer

In late May 2010 SCARF the Computers for the Community program notched up its 100th computer installation. The lucky recipients were family of seven, recent arrivals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, now living at Berkeley.

IT Program Manager, Chris. Cartledge says this type of volunteer work is extremely rewarding, especially when you have a group of young teenagers eagerly waiting at your side as you complete the installation.

SCARF is always ready to accept donations of computers as that is the only way we are able to source the hardware, Chris. concluded.

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SCARF VOLUNTEERS ACKNOWLEDGED BY LOCAL AWARDS
We are thrilled that the dedication of the fabulous SCARF team of volunteers has been acknowledged recently with two well deserved awards:

October 2009 The University of Wollongong Chancellor’s Award for Community Service
The citation reads: "Presented to SCARF for their positive and enduring contribution to refugee families in the Illawarra through progressive and targeted support programs". More details... [here]
January 2010 Wollongong City Council’s Australia Day Community Award

Secretary and Program Coordinator, Sharyn Mackenzie, was recognised by Volunteering NSW, receiving the Illawarra Region Volunteer of the Year Award in November 2009.

These awards will be an added impetus for us to continue to provide meaningful programs and services in 2010 for the benefit of our community members from refugee backgrounds.

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Discovering Dapto Community Garden
Volunteer Ann Rays has been mentoring community members who expressed interest in taking up gardening ... more [here]

We would appreciate donations of gardening tools.

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Burmese Community Settling Happily in Wollongong
January was a big month for our Burmese Community, with some special milestones. 14th January marked the premiere performance by the Burmese Dance Troupe ... more [here]

Australia Day was marked by the first of the community to receive Australian Citizenship .... more [here]

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Learner to Provisional Driver Program (L2P)
The aim of this program is to provide adult members of the Illawarra refugee community that have a Learner Driver Licence with supervised driving practice so they can obtain a Provisional Licence.

Learner Drivers, how to participate... [here]

Volunteer Driving Mentors, how to participate... [here]

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Computer Lab in SCARF Training & Community Centre
A computer lab has been setup in the SCARF Training & Community Centre to facilitate IT training. As more families receive this technology the demand for training is increasing. If you know someone who could assist with computer training please contact Sharyn with the details... [here]

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To see stories and photos of past activities and events go to Archived Articles... [here]

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