About us
The PCIA Foundation is the sister charity of Palestinian Christians in Australia, born from a spirit of compassion and a deep commitment to serving our community.
We are a dedicated non-profit organisation committed to providing comprehensive, compassionate, and practical support to Palestinian refugees arriving in Australia. Our mission is to ease their transition and empower them to build new, fulfilling lives with dignity and hope. We understand the immense challenges of starting over, and our holistic approach addresses both immediate needs and long-term integration, ensuring that every family has the opportunity not just to settle, but to truly thrive.
Our Story: A Call to Action
In November 2023, as a humanitarian crisis unfolded in Gaza, our community in Australia watched with heavy hearts. We knew we had to act. What began as a grassroots effort by Palestinian Christians in Australia to support the first arrivals quickly grew into a dedicated mission. We witnessed firsthand the trauma and uncertainty faced by families who had lost everything. They arrived with little more than the clothes on their backs, their lives packed into a few suitcases, searching for a sense of safety and stability they hadn't felt in months.
The need was urgent and overwhelming. Our community rallied together, driven by a shared sense of responsibility. We worked tirelessly to provide the essentials: a safe place to live, food for the table, and a warm, welcoming community to embrace them.
One of the first families we helped, Hadeel and her parents and siblings, shared their experience:
"We couldn't feel stable and safe since many months after we left our home in Gaza... this was the most important thing for us because we value the feeling of stability... Rest assured that you change a lot of lives and help them to rebuild their future here in Australia."
Hadeel's words, and the stories of many others like her, are the reason the PCIA Foundation was officially formed. We are the dedicated charity that will carry this vital work forward, ensuring that every Palestinian refugee who arrives on our shores is met with compassion, respect, and the tools they need to rebuild.
Our Core Values
Human Dignity and Respect
This is our foundational value. It's about recognizing the inherent worth and rights of every individual, regardless of their circumstances or country of origin. This value translates into all aspects of the organization's work, from how staff and volunteers interact with refugees to the programs and services offered. It means providing aid without paternalism, listening to and respecting the lived experiences of refugees, and ensuring that all support is delivered in a way that preserves their dignity and autonomy.
Empowerment and Self-Sufficiency
A charity's goal should not be to create a cycle of dependency. Instead, the focus should be on helping refugees rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient. This value means providing resources, skills training, education, and social support that enable refugees to find employment, integrate into their new communities, and regain control over their futures. It shifts the focus from simply providing aid to fostering resilience and agency.
Community and Inclusion
Refugees often face isolation and a loss of community. This value emphasizes the importance of building bridges between refugees and their new communities. It means creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where refugees feel they belong. This can involve programs that connect them with local residents, cultural exchange events, and initiatives that help them navigate social and cultural norms. It also means advocating for policies and attitudes that promote acceptance and understanding, helping to dismantle the barriers that lead to marginalization.
Board of Directors
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Monet Goode
FOUNDER
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Emmett Marsh
DESIGN DIRECTOR
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Eleanor Parks
SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR
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Karl Holland
SALES MANAGER
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Jaya Dixon
MARKETING DIRECTOR
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Jamie Kokot
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER