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Providing Social, Engagement, Accomodation, Advocacy Support for Asylum Seekers

How we help Asylum Seekers

How you can help us

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That is what we are here for

To provide safety, support and advocacy for all people who are driven to seek asylum, for any reason. Asylum seekers are people who, because of fear of persecution in their home countries, have crossed international borders in search of protection. No-one chooses to be an asylum seeker. ASST began in 1989 as the Auckland Refugee Council Incorporated (ARCI) as a result of seeing the plight of people who sought asylum, families who had escaped life-threatening danger and were desperate for a safe haven. They received no help or support while they waited to be granted refugee status. They had nowhere to go and no-one to speak for them. We saw this neglect, and through advocacy and support, offered them a chance for something better.

Our Vision
Our Vision

A New Zealand where asylum seekers are welcomed, supported and thriving.

Our Mission
Our Mission

ASST supports people who come to NZ seeking asylum, and a safe and peaceful life, by providing critical humanitarian services to those in need. ASST advocates for legally compliant and compassionate treatment of our clients and all who seek

Our Values
Our Values

  • Respect for everyone we interact with.
  • Inclusion of all people.
  • Empathy for others.
  • Integrity in all our undertakings.
  • Impact resulting from everything we do.

Our ACHIEVEMENTS

We Have Done a Lot For This Time

The overarching goal of the Asylum Seekers Support Trust (ASST) is to help create a New Zealand where Asylum Seekers are welcomed, supported and thriving. We do this by providing emergency housing and other critical humanitarian support from a qualified social workers and support workers who give advice and practical assistance based on assessment of individual need. ASST works in ways that respect the diversity of people who seek asylum and does not discriminate based on any grounds such as colour, race, ethnic or national origins, age, disability, sex, gender, gender expression, sec characteristics, sexual orientation, religious belief, ethical belief, political opinion, employment status, family status, marital status etc. ASST also advocates strongly for legal and compassionate treatment of our clients and all those who come to our shores seeking a safe and peaceful life.

OUR TEAM

Meet Our Operations Team

Dawit Arshak

General Manager

Christina

Client service manager

Shilear Basharati

Senior Social Worker

Kidist Tegegne

Community Development Lead

Vijitha Visagan

Support Worker

Shamis Ismael

Support Worker

Regina Kwok

Residential Social Worker

Feras Alhantosh

Driver

May Eqbal

Support Worker

Tim Maurice

Finance / Admin

Our Generous Supporters

Foundation North

Jr Mckenzie

The Catholic Caring Foundation

Lottery Grants Board

Auckland Council

The Trusts

Ministry of Ethnic Communities

New Zealand Red Cross

The RD Butland Charitable Trust

Hugo Charitable Trust

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