b'Welcometo Autumn.Since our last newsletter in Spring 2022, we have been working hardto meet the needs of our consumers and build on our successes. During Anti-Poverty Week in October 2022, I hope you enjoy reading more about our Asylum we worked with Swinburne University toSeeker Welcome Centre on pages 5 and 6, along release a research report uncovering thewith the other great work our teams are doing devastating impacts of the rising cost of living. across Victoria and Tasmania.Our Cant afford to live report highlightsOn behalf of everyone here, thank you for your what our staff and volunteers were alreadyongoing support, interest and compassion.seeing every day. Essentials are fast becoming unattainable and more and more people are seeking our emergency relief services to access food and material aid.Tasmanians were found to be some of the hardest hit and more likely to be experiencingBronwyn Pike significant disadvantage due to cost-of-livingChief Executive Officerpressures, including` struggling to pay rent, financial difficulties, poorer mental health Find out more about and increased reliance on alcohol and drugs. our Leadership You can read more about this research on page 8.In other news, our Asylum Seeker Welcome Centre (ASWC) celebrated 20 years in December. I attended the celebration and was touched to hear first-hand so many stories of connection,of a new sense of belonging, of communityand sentiments of feeling at home. Thank you to the staff and volunteer teamsof the Asylum Seeker Program who understand the importance of working alongside people as they forge a new life and how to be flexible and responsive to immediate needs.2 Supporter Newsletter Autumn 2023'