National plaudits for Salvation Army caseworker
Minister for Social Service the Honourable Kevin Andrews MP, Caseworker of the Year Sarah Boyle, and Salvation Army National Secretariat Major Kelvin Alley at Parliament House. (Photo courtesy of Sarah Boyle)
Salvation Army caseworker Sarah Boyle has been recognised for her outstanding work in refugee and migrant care.
Salvation Army caseworker Sarah Boyle received the Caseworker of the Year at the 2014 Australian Migration and Settlement Awards (AMSA).
Hosted at Parliament House in Canberra, the awards recognise the work of individuals or organisations that assist refugees or new migrants to settle in Australia.
Sarah is Acting Senior Caseworker at The Salvation Army Trafficking and Slavery Safe House in Sydney. The safe house is the only service of its kind in Australia, and is funded entirely by private donations.
Sarah says she was shocked and overwhelmed to receive this award. “This award is important as it acknowledges the value of caseworkers in the lives of individuals and our contribution to Australian society overall.”
Anyone working within the migration and settlement areas can be nominated for the award, with a panel of industry experts and media professionals deciding the winner on the night. Approximately 500 nominations were received for the 2014 Caseworker of the Year category.
Trafficking and Slavery Safe House Supervisor Jenny Stanger, says Sarah’s passion for her work has always been equally matched with a desire to offer high-quality professional support.
"It is this combination that makes her so effective at her work, an inspiration to others and a deserving recipient of this award," says Ms Stanger.
The safe house supports people who have experienced human trafficking and slavery right here in Australia. It welcomes men, women, young people and even children exploited in many industries and situations. This exploitation could be through industries such as agriculture, construction, food services, manufacturing and cleaning. It also includes those working as housekeepers or sex workers, or in slave-like or forced marriages.
Sarah says while her clients are vulnerable migrants who have fallen victim to the false promises of traffickers and slaveholders, they are also highly resilient and determined to move forward with their lives.
“They show great strength and they’re incredibly inspiring to work with. It is a privilege to support them in their freedom journey.”
To stay up to date with what The Salvation Army and the Safe House are doing, you can ‘like’ their Facebook page: facebook.com/salvossafehouse
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