Circle of Friends Australia Inc.
Supporting asylum seekers and refugees
November 2025 Update: Please note that no further appeals for funds for applications under the Community Support Program will be made owing to the fact that the program has now been paused by the Federal Government due to the high number of existing applications. The Family Reunion Circle (Circle 115) has another request to assist an Afghan family sheltering in …
Can you join the new Emergency Circle team? In late April this year Circle 110’s name was changed from “Rapid Response” to “COFA Emergency Circle” to reflect a change in operational structure. The Circle can be contacted by the new email. At a practical level, the Emergency Circle is now managed by teams of 2 experienced members from established Circles, …
Written by Julie Dow, volunteer St Ignatius Refugee Education Circle (Circle 106) The dramatic headlines across the country of “Children Overboard” confronted Australians immediately preceding the 2001 Federal election. This issue generated very different, and often opposing, responses in the community. At St Ignatius Church one compassionate member posted an invitation on a notice board asking anyone concerned about refugees …
Erfan Abidi started the Empowerment Network (Circle 132) after arriving in Australia from Afghanistan, following the take-over by the Taliban. His intention was to provide funds for teachers and resources in order to provide clandestine education for girls in Afghanistan. His Circle has grown enormously and now supports 30-40 secret schools. There is a lot of work connecting students to …
written by volunteer Alexis Potts I began volunteering with the Afghan Arrivals Circle (127), almost two years ago. I had recently retired and had always thought I would like to help refugees who had recently arrived in Australia. I found out about COFA on an internet search, sent an email, followed up by a phone call and soon I was …