Accessible Diversity Services Initiatives Ltd (ADSI) has helped many clients manage distressing circumstances during COVID-19 – clients like Asgari and her family, who faced loss of income and possible eviction.
As a member of NSP, ADSI delivers the Australian Government’s Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Program, supporting children, young people and families from refugees and migrant backgrounds who have lived in Australia less than five years.
ADSI caseworkers work tirelessly in meeting the needs of their clients through casework, activities/ programs and sometimes referral to external services for services that ADSI cannot offer.
Asgari and her four-year-old son Mohammad live in Auburn in Western Sydney. The family first started engaging with ADSI’s settlement program when Mohammad’s dad was out of work due to COVID lockdown.
It was a very challenging time for the family.
An ADSI caseworker helped Asgari to access food hampers from Cumberland Council each fortnight, helped pay her electricity and gas bills through Service NSW’s Energy Accounts Payment Assistance, provided food vouchers, and referred her to Thread Together for clothing for her and her son.
During the lockdown, Asgari received an eviction notice for not paying her rent on time. ADSI provided a relief payment and worked in collaboration with other organisations to assist paying her rental arears and prevent her family’s eviction.
Asgari cried tears of happiness because she thought she would be homeless.
She continues to receive casework with ADSI and has been referred to Anglicare for financial counselling so she can learn tools and strategies to prevent that frightening prospect happening again.
ADSI is proud of being supportive to the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ADSI team will continue to support individuals and families, keeping in touch by phone, linking people with services, and working towards positive outcomes for people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.