Multicultural launch sends message of hope
The Salvation Army has launched its annual Red Shield Appeal to multicultural communities during a special function in Sydney.
The launch was held in a Leichhardt cafe, located in the multicultural heart of Sydney's inner west.
The national fundraising target for this year's Red Shield Appeal is $74 million, which includes a $9.5 million target for the doorknock weekend on 30-31 May.
The Honourable Scott Morrison MP, Federal Member for Cook and Minister for Social Services, attended the launch. Among the other speakers were Lieut-Colonel Mark Campbell, Turkish immigrant Ayse Alidosti and long-term Salvation Army supporter Joseph Assaf.
Lt-Colonel Campbell, The Salvation Army Australia Eastern Territory's Secretary for Business Administration, spoke on the theme of this year's appeal – hope.
“When you actually give somebody hope you see transformation take place,” Lt-Colonel Campbell said. “You see people’s heads that are down start to be raised. You see a re-creation take place in sombody’s life when you give them hope. And for us, as The Salvation Army, we give hope to many diverse people – a million people actually – throughout the whole year ... from many different backgrounds, cultures and languages.”
Ayse shared her story of how she came in contact with The Salvation Army after immigrating from Turkey. After marital issues, Ayse moved into a refuge but she was kicked out after the operators discovered she was a Christian. This left her homeless.
Ayse was able to find support she didn’t even know existed when she walked through the doors of a Salvation Army centre to do work experience for her Diploma of Community Services. Since then, Ayse has renewed her marriage with her husband in a Salvation Army church and is a uniformed Salvationist.
“I wear the uniform because I want to help other people just like I was helped. The Salvation Army doesn’t discriminate and I felt welcomed. I found myself, hope and freedom,” she said.
Joseph Assaf, the pioneer of multicultural communications in Australia and Founder of Ethnic Business Awards AM, shared why he has been an enthusiastic supporter of The Salvation Army. “The Salvos are always ready to support people regardless of their religious or cultural background. Therefore, we should all be ready to support The Salvation Army in its worthwhile cause and be ready to say ‘Thank God for the Salvos!’”
Some services that The Salvation Army provides to multicultural Australians include homelessness support, women’s and children’s services, financial counselling through Moneycare, addiction and recovery services, legal assistance through Salvos Legal Humanitarian and learn-to-drive programs.
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