A Message from STARTTS CEO: Our Refugee Ball goes Virtual!

Dear Friends,

I hope you and your families and loved ones are keeping safe and well during what has been one of the most challenging years of our times globally.

I am writing to announce that even in the difficult times we are living through we have found a way to still connect with you, our valued friends and supporters, through an online virtual event that will be live streamed on Thursday 26 November from 7:30pm – 9:00pm AEDT to take the place of the Refugee Ball that is customarily held around this time each year.

I would greatly appreciate your support of STARTTS and our global fight for a world without torture by joining us at this exciting online event.

I am very pleased to announce that Mr. Chin Tan, Race Discrimination Commissioner, of the Australian Human Rights Commission has agreed to deliver this year’s Keynote address. World renowned performing artists will also join us from various locations to ensure art and music continue to add their special touch to this event.

I would also like to take this opportunity to tell you that despite the considerable challenges we faced in adapting to new realities in these uncertain times, I am immensely proud of the successful transition STARTTS has made to a largely online model of service delivery in response to Covid-19.

This is particularly important given the impact the pandemic has had on many of our clients.

This year, we’ve seen our clients experience increased anxiety; trauma related memories and symptoms triggered by the current situation; fears about family and loved ones overseas and concerns about the erosion of basic rights experienced in many of their home countries.

As such, it is crucial that we continue to identify areas of need and raise vital funds for essential local projects.

We are enormously proud of the Refugee Ball. Last year we raised much needed funds for sporting activities with young people from refugee backgrounds directed to the local Multicultural M-Series.

This would not have been possible without the generosity and support from our sponsors, supporters and friends. Once again, thank you!

This year, we seek your support in raising funds to help sustain the South Sudanese Youth Ambassadors Program – a local program that has been incredibly innovative in promoting positive mental health and suicide prevention among South Sudanese young people.

We are also raising funds to support the work of services like STARTTS in other parts of the world through the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT).

Our Refugee Ball has become established as one of the most culturally diverse gala events in our wonderful city of Sydney.

We take pride to ensure that each Refugee Ball is unique in its own way while contributing to so many valuable programs. We will do our utmost to ensure 2020 is no exception, regardless of COVID-19!

I look forward to your sharing in what will be a great virtual experience, until we can all meet again in person at what will be another memorable Refugee Ball in 2021.

Warmest regards,

Jorge Aroche,
CEO, STARTTS

REGISTER HERE for the 2020 Refugee Ball Virtual Experience