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Good works in progress: A collaboration of Catholic organisations towards better monitoring and evaluation for the Asylum Seeker Support Program (ASSP)
In partnership with CatholicCare Victoria (CCV) and St John of God Health Care (SJGHC), SESU is pleased to conclude their evaluation of CCV's Asylum Seeker Support Program (ASSP). The evaluation was co-designed and delivered by ACU, CCV and SJGHC.
The ASSP is a pastoral care support program for asylum seekers in Victoria, with SJGHC as the main funder and stakeholder of the ASSP. With little legal recognition or protections, the ASSP represents a much-needed suite of initiatives for asylum seekers and their families, providing everyday assistance, pastoral care and practical social connection, helping them to achieve economic independence and social inclusion. The program is an example of two Catholic organisations partnering to achieve mission-related social good.
The report overall represents a journey of change in research orientation, whereby through a developmental evaluation, the two organisations were supported to prepare the program for an impact evaluation in the future. Both CCV and SJGHC were challenged in their work to pursue a better path of governance and evaluation readiness, and have since been rewarded with a renewed sense of purpose for the program to continue the excellent work it has achieved for those experiencing marginalisation and vulnerability.
Through interviews with key stakeholders and client case studies, the report also highlights the value of the program's holistic, client-centred model of care, where workers help clients navigate Australian visa, work, housing, education and finance systems, provide practical assistance, and aim to build clients' dignity and hope.
You can read the summary of the full report on the SESU here.
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