Work & Welcome is a project of House of Welcome (HoW) who welcome, shelter and empower people seeking asylum and refugees regardless of their age, gender, sexuality, nationality or religion. HoW provides client-centred, holistic supports that nurture hope, advocate for justice and promote self-reliance, whilst acknowledging the dignity and the rights of each individual.

Work & Welcome assists people seeking asylum and refugees to be job ready by providing empowering work experience and employment opportunities in supportive host organisations. By creating structured, short term, paid job placements, Work & Welcome is able to address major barriers to finding work and assist people as they prepare for long term employment success. Work & Welcome was established to stand in solidarity with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised in our communities and with the support of host schools and organisations will continue to grow and provide meaningful and genuine opportunities for change.

Work & Welcome supports program participants and host schools and organisations to provide a scaffolded, immersive and holistic experience for everyone. Participants are linked in with training provided through HoW’s employment program and structured post placement mentoring to facilitate successive employment opportunities. Through Work & Welcome, HoW will partner with host schools and organisations who share these values and work together to create purposeful experiences for all.

For more information about how your school or organisation can get involved, please contact s.musavie@houseofwelcome.com.au or phone House of Welcome 02 9727 9290.

Testimonial from host school

“The Work & Welcome program has brought insight and joy to our community. It has opened the hearts of our staff to want to be and do more for others, and it has helped many people seeking asylum and refugees gain valuable work experience. The people we have hosted have contributed enormously to our school, so much so that we never want to say good-bye. Our only hope is that we have given them a gift which helps them in their future – something so small for us and so big for them. The program holds service at the heart of something that is simple but beyond our understanding. The Work & Welcome program’s impact on staff is minimal but rewarding and it is truly a humbling experience to be part of it.” St Patrick’s College Strathfield

What our participants love about Work & Welcome

“It was a great experience. I learned so many things and it made me a very rich future employee. My placement at Loreto Normanhurst went above and beyond my expectations. I felt supported by the amazing workforce and the whole community. The generosity of the staff through the Workplace Giving program meant I could earn a wage, put food on the table and look after myself financially. I am grateful to the whole community for the opportunity.” Miri – Loreto Normanhurst

“My experience at St Patrick’s College was amazing. From the first day I felt so welcomed and I met great people who made me feel part of their team. I learnt a lot of different things about Australian culture and the workplace systems. I really enjoyed my time there.” Sepideh