RISE is the first not-for-profit refugee and asylum seeker organisation in Australia to be run by refugees, asylum seekers, and ex-detainees. As such, we view those who seek assistance from RISE as members, not as "clients". RISE exists to enable refugees and asylum seekers to build new lives by providing advice, engaging in community development, enhancing opportunity and campaigning for refugee rights.

By being the first refugee organisation in Australia and one of the few in the world that uses the model of self-empowerment for sustainable community development, our organisation is not just run by members from the refugee and asylum seeker community, it is governed by members of that community. Hence decisions are made by members from refugee/asylum seeker backgrounds.

Services offered to our members include:

• Settlement support services
• Job seeker support services
• A daily drop-in service operating from 9.30am to 7pm
•  Driving lessons to attain 'L' and 'P' plates
•  ESL classes and Educational programs
•  Advocacy and research
• Emergency material aid
• Computer programs
•  Food bank
• RISE resource library
•  Free Internet access
• Music and arts projects for youth
•  Recreational activities and Events

Our member base grew from 280 in October 2012 to over 1000 members at the end of August 2013. The significant growth in our membership is partly due to the changes to bridging visas whereby people falling within this category were stripped of their right to work or study. Many face poverty due to lack of support services. They live below the poverty line and left with just $7 a day to cover transport, food and clothing. Those ineligible to access services are "left behind", hindering their social development and adversely impacting on their health and self-esteem, the further they live below the poverty line.   Due to this, the number of members accessing and utilising RISE services has expanded much faster than anticipated and the demand for our services is increasing.

Make a regular donation

We operate with some of the most under-serviced members of our society. You can support us by making a regular donation to keep our projects and services alive for our members.

You can choose to make regular donations of:

• $5 per month
•  $20 per month
•  $50 per month
• $100 per month
•  Other amount (minimum $5) The number of people accessing and utilising RISE services has expanded much faster than anticipated and the demand for our services is increasing. We hope to provide a drop-in centre for refugees and asylum seekers, open from 9 am to 9 pm daily, while continuing to enhance the RISE framework of projects, advocacy and research.
  
  We are a grassroots organisation, operating at the grassroots level. We need your help to keep this organisation thriving. We urge you to lend us your support by making a tax-deductible donation. Your donation will assist our dedicated volunteers to provide services directly to refugees, asylum seekers, adults and entire families. With your help, we can build a better and stronger future for all.
  
  RISE is a Tax deductible organization and your financial support helps us to enable refugees to build new lives in Australia in which they can flourish and achieve their fullest potential. We operate with some of the most underserviced members of our society, and in areas which are grossly underfunded. To respond to this need, we need your financial support.