Imagine arriving in a new country, not because you chose to, but because you had to!
No time to pack. No savings to fall back on. No grasp of the language, culture or local systems.
Just relief to have escaped danger and strife, and arrived in Melbourne safely. Now they face the huge task ahead of building a life from scratch…
Every contribution helps ease the pressure and says something powerful to this family, and the next... you’re not alone here.
That’s the reality for many refugee families. They’ve fled danger, crossed borders, and now face the unfamiliar challenge of starting over in a completely new place — often with only what they could carry.
In a land where the language, the food, the culture is different, they need to find housing, schools, work and connection.
Our community is walking alongside one such family as they begin their new life in Australia.
We’re helping with the basics — setting up a home, finding their feet with work and schools, and creating a sense of welcome.
You can be part of this welcome!
We’ve put together a "shopping list" — a range of practical items this family will need to get started living in Melbourne. Simple necessities like rent, kitchenware, bedding, a phone— and given you a guide of what these might cost. You can “shop” directly from the list to guide your donation amount, or if you prefer, make a custom one-off or ongoing donation to support our efforts.
HOW DOES IT WORK? When you purchase an ‘item’ from this store, you are actually making a donation to support Steeple Community’s work through the CRISP project (more info below). No products or services will be provided to you, but your donation will be put to the best use to support our refugee family to find safety and stability in Melbourne. The ‘products’ shown are representative of likely ways the money will be used. Thank you for your support, and please spread the word!
refugee | ˌrɛfjʊˈdʒiː | noun
a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster
Do you need help? If you are a refugee or asylum seeker and need assistance, or you are wanting to support another refugee family, please contact the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre for a range of services. We are not affiliated with the ASRC.
Donate a Gift of Welcome — Help a Refugee Family Feel at Home Again
Steeple CRISP — a project of Steeple Community
Creating a fresh start for a refugee family
We are Steeple CRISP, a group of 16 individuals brought together by our passion for social justice and equity, and a shared commitment to making a difference. We are all connected through Steeple Church in Balwyn, Melbourne, Australia.
We are voluntarily participating in the Australian Government’s new Community Refugee Integration & Settlement Program, aka CRISP, facilitated by the Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA).
Our mission is to support a refugee household as they settle into our community—helping them integrate into life in Australia, empowering them while honoring their stories, culture, and journey.
Beyond this, we hope that our efforts, alongside similar groups nationwide, will demonstrate to the government that the CRSA program is not only effective but also sustainable, paving the way for more compassionate refugee resettlement.
* please note that donations will be allocated by need. The above is a guide only to the sorts of expenses that need to be met.
How You Can Help
There are many ways to support our mission:
- Make a financial donation through this website. This will help cover costs of necessities such as groceries, rent, etc, particularly while our refugee family gets established with a place to live, schools and finding work.
- Join our fundraising events—a great way to give and connect.
- Spread the word to friends and family. They won’t know unless you tell them!
- Offer professional connections—if you know someone in real estate or employment who can assist, we’d love to hear from you.
- Start a CRISP group yourself!
