Fitzroy Learning Network will celebrate Refugee Week by organising a party to raise awareness of the plight of refugees.

On the day, the network will have an open door policy for new migrants where they can come and ask questions, get to know the refugee support worker, find out about the network’s services and have lunch together.

The theme for this year is “Freedom from Fear", a theme that is closed to their hearts.  Fear is a feeling that is not only experienced by many refugees in their countries of origin but also in Australia, particularly in relation to welfare benefits.  With language barriers and cultural differences, many newly arrived migrants are afraid that they may lose their social and medical benefits; benefits that sustain their lives in Australia.

“Many of them are stressed and tense as they cannot communicate, and find it difficult to understand what they have to do. They are also fearful that they will be taken off of social benefits,” said Collin Duggan, the Fitzroy Learning Network executive officer. 

To overcome such a fear the network has designed and delivered programs, including English and computer classes, for refugees, a majority of whom are from the Atherton Gardens housing estate . 

Refugee week will be celebrated on June 16, at 12 pm at the network, 198 Napier St, Fitzroy.