The Community Placement Network (CPN) is an initiative of the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) to offer transitional (six weeks only) accommodation to eligible asylum seekers exiting immigration detention on a Bridging visa E (BVE).

Since its establishment on 8 May 2012, CPN has accommodated over 220 eligible BVE clients nationally.

Feedback from CPN hosts on their experience has been highly positive, specifically on the opportunity to learn about different cultures and the rewards of assisting asylum seekers with orientating and establishing themselves in the community.

Many hosts have been able to assist their guests with the search for medium-term accommodation, access to free English language classes, employment, and voluntary work.

Most BVE holders have moved on from their CPN accommodation prior to or at the conclusion of the placement, having found accommodation closer to work opportunities, friends, or community links. Some have entered a private board arrangement with their former CPN host.

Building on its initial success, the CPN will expand its host pool on a national basis to include increased regional CPN capacity.

If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a CPN host, you may wish to visit the CPN website at www.homestaynetwork.org/cpn for additional information and application processes.

Click HERE to obtain a membership application form.

Click HERE to obtain a membership renewal form for the 2011-2012 financial year to Social Policy Connections.

As an independent advocacy organisation, Social Policy Connections endeavours to engage in social and political debates, drawing strongly from the insight and expertise of the Christian social traditions. SPC is a non-profit organisation but does not have DGR tax deductible status, and relies on your financial generosity to contribute to the public conversation on urgent issues

today.

Photo: by Adikos – flickr CC

Phone (03) 9890 1077
Mobile 0457 146 808
Email: admin@socialpolicyconnections.com.au

The office is located at 34 Bedford Street, Box Hill (within the newly refurbished Study Centre of the Yarra Theological Union). Since the office is only occupied part-time, it is best to phone to arrange an appointment if you wish to meet with us.

As an independent organisation, Social Policy Connections endeavours to engage in social and political debates, drawing strongly from the insight and expertise of the Christian social traditions. SPC is a non-profit organisation but does not have DGR tax deductible status, and relies on your financial generosity to contribute to the public conversation on urgent issues today.

SPC is working to foster this conversation, particularly by bringing issues into focus through the lens of Gospel values and concern for universal human wellbeing. At a time when many leading thinkers are decrying the moral vacuum at the core of the financial crisis, we need to help reshape our values and civilisation.

Help us broaden the conversation about how to do this. Though we at SPC are a small network, it is the quality of our ideas and thinking that can make a difference. To do more, we need your financial support.

Please download our SPC Donation Form and post to

Social Policy Connections
PO Box 505
Box Hill VIC 3128
AUSTRALIA

Other ways to contribute

Join us as a volunteer

Social Policy Connections warmly welcomes the contributions of volunteers with their special skills. As the work of SPC expands, we will be looking for people to help on committees, in research and publications, administration, IT, media liaison and fund-raising. If you think you may have a contribution to make, please contact us at our office.

Make a Bequest

Let your contribution live on after you.

Most of us want to leave this world a better place for our being here. As we grow older, we may sometimes wonder how to hand on the torch of love and concern to the new generations, and particularly to ensure a just and peaceful future for those in poverty and distress. Making a bequest can ensure your aspirations and hopes will endure after you. If you wish to make a lasting contribution in the struggle for a more just and peaceful world, please consider Social Policy Connections in your will. For more information, click here.

Students can take individual units in social justice or as part of the Bachelor of Theology degree, or specialise in various social justice degrees.

SPC values the contributions of both large companies and small firms; through partnerships and a range of ways, they can help reshape our nation’s thinking and our future.

Giving and Partnership

Christ’s message of love and compassion echoes strongly in all the world religions, and indeed every sensitive human heart. We believe that God is intensely concerned about human well being, and expects us to be so as well

Social Policy Connections draws from this deep Christian impulse in our nation and works to link human values more closely to improved social policies that will produce better outcomes in the lives of people in Australia and beyond.

Our own core values in Social Policy Connections include respect for persons, especially those in distress, openness and transparency, commitment, justice, participation, and solidarity with all people struggling for a better life and world.

These values would be compromised by involvement with products or practices that cause or prolong suffering or injustice, violate human rights or significantly damage the environment.

Social Policy Connections recognises that people in the business world have critical roles to play, especially because of their skills and resources, and their roles in meeting a ast randge of human needs. We greatly value this special expertise, and seek opportunities for collaboration in helping shape a better future for all.

Nevertheless, we will avoid, as much as we reasonably can, seeking support from companies where the main activity:

• harms human dignity or human rights
• employs discriminatory work practices
• is involved in the arms industry
• causes significant damage to the environment
• promotes or profits from gambling or
• is involved in the tobacco industry or related products.

We of course recognise that Social Policy Connections is under an ethical responsibility to make good use of the donations it receives.

Practice Guidelines

The Executive Officer and/or the Chair of the Board of Directors will ensure that this policy is followed. They will also be consulted before companies are approached for funding. Staff members or others approaching companies should first be satisfied that the core business of companies does not breach these guidelines.

As an independent advocacy organisation, Social Policy Connections endeavours to engage in social and political debates, drawing strongly from the insight and expertise of the Christian social traditions. SPC is a non-profit organisation but does not have DGR tax deductible status, and relies on your financial generosity to contribute to the public conversation on urgent issues today.