Celebrating our Everyday Heroes: Volunteer Week 2024

As Volunteer Week approaches, JRS Australia extends a heartfelt tribute to our incredible volunteers who are, along with the people we serve, the heart and soul of our organisation.

Volunteer Week, running from May 20 to May 26 this year, is an annual celebration of the power and impact of volunteerism globally. For us, this special week is an opportunity to honour the selfless individuals who dedicate their time and energy to support refugees and people seeking asylum in our community.

At JRS Australia, volunteers play a pivotal role in all aspects of our work. From the friendly faces greeting clients in our office to the diligent hands sorting donations in our Foodbank, the contributions of our volunteers are truly invaluable.

Our Food and Material Aid Officer, Michael Melville, highlighted this.

“It is through the compassion, patience and dedication of the people who volunteer with JRS, that Foodbank can continue to reach out to donors and serve refugees & people seeking asylum, and to create the welcoming environment that JRS nurtures… very simply, there would be no Foodbank without our volunteers.”

Our Foodbank is run by a dedicated team of regular volunteers, as well as staff and students from Schools that engage us to learn more about refugees and people seeking asylum, and want to give back to our community.

“Through our Schools Engagement Program, I have met so many passionate staff and students who have immersed themselves in our work by volunteering at our Foodbank,” shared Vin Gajanayake, our Schools Engagement Officer. “It has been incredible watching them turn knowledge into both compassion and action, learning from and supporting our staff, and joining our ever-growing community!”

Supporting key areas of our work

Beyond Foodbank support, volunteers also assist with administrative tasks, provide direct support to clients through our Employment Program, and are often crucial advocates within our community, standing in solidarity with people seeking asylum, and providing hope and dignity to those we serve.

“Our volunteers have been such a great help for our Employment Program”, says Tamana Mirzada, our Employment Program Coordinator.

“Day to day, we witness the rise in need of employment support from our program participants, especially with the increased cost of living. Our amazing volunteers provide an important service to assist participants to find meaningful work in Australia. Their skills, expertise and life lessons bring so much value to us.”

As we celebrate Volunteer Week, we invite everyone to acknowledge and thank the everyday heroes that not only sustain our programs but also enrich our community through their generosity and kindness.

To our volunteers, past and present: thank you for standing with us, for your unwavering support, and for embodying the JRS Australia spirit of service, accompaniment and advocacy for refugees and people seeking asylum.

Please see this letter, addressed to our volunteers, from Tamara Domicelj, Country Director at JRS Australia.

Want to learn more?

Please visit our Volunteers Page to learn more about opportunities for volunteering with JRS Australia.

Please also follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and subscribe to our e-newsletter, to stay in touch with us and receive updates about our work, including volunteering opportunities.

Interested in volunteering?

We are always looking to welcome new volunteers into our community at JRS Australia. Whether you’re driven by an interest in refugees and people seeking asylum, you’re wanting to learn some new skills, or you’re looking to spend time with a group of like-minded individuals who want to give their time to a good cause – there is always a place for you here.

To get involved and make a difference for refugees and people seeking asylum, please get in touch with us:

• Call us on (02) 9098 9336
• Email our Volunteers Coordinator: volunteers@jrs.org.au
• Fill in the Volunteer Application Form here