Our story
2001
House of Welcome opens in Canley Vale, Sydney's south-west
Initiated by NSW Ecumenical Council with support from Anglican, Catholic, and Uniting churches
Provides emergency accommodation for people seeking asylum leaving Villawood Detention Centre on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs)
Drop-in centre opens in Carramar
Offers vital support to people seeking asylum without resources or English skills
2002
2004
Shift in focus
TPVs abolished
Organisation pivots to support people seeking asylum on bridging visas
2007
New management
St Francis Social Services, under Franciscan Friars, takes over the project
2017
2018
House of Welcome Catering launches
Social enterprise providing hospitality work experience for people seeking asylum
Initially operates from borrowed kitchen in Granville Community Centre
Catering expansion
HW Catering moves into a dedicated commercial kitchen at the Granville location
2021
Today
Continuing the legacy
Provides wrap-around support to people seeking asylum
One of the largest transitional housing providers in NSW to people seeking asylum and refugees