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You Belong

@youbelongorg

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This EOFY help us make Waymakers feel at home and thrive #UnderOneSun
Donate here: https://www.youbelong.org.au/

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Big news coming out of our Learner Driver program! 🚗💨

We are so proud to announce that another member of our refugee community has officially passed her driver’s test! After living in Australia for years without the ability to drive independently, she now has a whole new lease on life.

The best part? Her mentor was her own son. He spent countless hours in the You Belong car, patiently guiding his mum to become a safe and competent driver. This is what it’s all about—families supporting each other to find independence in their new home.

Congratulations to our newest licensed driver! 🎓✨

#DrivingIndependence #RefugeeSupport #SuccessStory #LearnerDriver #YouBelong by @youbelongorg

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8 months ago

🎓 Another term of English Classes has come to a close!

We recently celebrated the graduation and certificate presentation for the wonderful women who have participated in our English Classes at Glenvale State School.

These classes are about so much more than learning English. They provide an opportunity for mothers to build confidence, connect with their children’s school and community, and grow in independence and belonging.

The program is run by an incredible team of You Belong volunteer tutors, many of whom are former teachers. Their dedication, patience and generosity in giving their time each week to support these mothers is truly inspiring.

We’re also incredibly grateful to Glenvale State School for hosting the classes and providing a translator to help make the program accessible.

And to all of our graduates, a huge congratulations! 👏 Your commitment and hard work deserves to be celebrated.

A big thank you to Cathy, our volunteer tutors, Glenvale State School and everyone who plays a part in making this program possible.

What a wonderful way to finish another term! 💛

#YouBelong #Waymakers #EnglishClasses #Community #Belonging by @youbelongorg

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a month ago

Term 2 is officially underway… and what a start it’s been.

Across Toowoomba, our programs that will be back in action are our English Classes, our Road Safety Program, and of course Cook to Connect bringing people together around the table.

Here’s a little glimpse from today’s Cook to Connect session — full of flavour, laughter, and new friendships forming.

A big welcome to all our new participants and volunteers stepping into the journey this term. It’s always something special to see community come alive in these spaces.

If you’re in Toowoomba and have been thinking about getting involved, this is your moment. There are so many ways to contribute — and we’re especially on the lookout for Driver Mentors to help more Waymakers build confidence, independence, and connection in their new community.

Come be part of it. by @youbelongorg

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6 months ago

🌟 Waymaker Spotlight: Cheraz

We’re so proud to celebrate Cheraz and some wonderful achievements.

Recently, Cheraz passed her driver’s licence test, after being mentored through our Learner Driver Mentor Program (LDMP).

And there’s more good news. Cheraz recently asked us to provide a support letter for her job application for an interpreter role. We’re delighted to share that she was successful and has now started her new job!

Cheraz previously participated in our Road Safety Education program and has also supported You Belong by helping others through interpreting. It’s wonderful to see her now building on those skills and creating new opportunities for herself and others.

We’re incredibly proud of you, Cheraz. Congratulations on both achievements, and all the very best in your new role! ❤️

#WaymakerSpotlight #YouBelong #LicenceToDrive #Belonging #NewBeginnings by @youbelongorg

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a month ago

3 August 2014. 3 August 2026.
Twelve years since the Yazidi genocide began in Sinjar.

Today we stand with our Yazidi Waymakers, neighbours and friends here in Toowoomba — home to Australia’s largest Yazidi community — as they remember those they lost and those still missing.

Some grief doesn’t need our words. Just our presence. 🕯️ by @youbelongorg

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2 months ago

🎉 Another Driving Milestone Achieved! 🚗👏

Congratulations to Srur Sulaiman Hamad on passing her driving test! 🥳

After many mentoring hours with volunteers and practising in the You Belong Learner Driver Mentor Program (LDMP) vehicle, Srur earned her licence—a fantastic achievement and another step towards greater independence and opportunity.

A driver’s licence is about so much more than getting from A to B. It opens doors to employment, education, and stronger community connection.

A huge thank you also to Saad for investing his time and encouragement, and to all of our amazing volunteer mentors who make these life-changing moments possible.

Congratulations again, Srur! We wish you every success on the road ahead. 🚘💙

#YouBelong #LearnerDriverMentorProgram #DrivingSuccess #Belonging #VolunteerImpact by @youbelongorg

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4 months ago

This week we are celebrating Refugee Week (June 14-20), and as we continue our #UnderOneSun campaign to support Waymakers in Queensland, we want to tell you the story of Sameer…

Sameer is a survivor. As a young boy in Iraq, Sameer became a victim of an attempted genocide, the destruction of a minority people group called Yezidis. As a young boy he was injured during an explosion in his family car, and whilst by some miracle he survived, the blast severely damaged his leg, leaving him in a wheelchair. Later, without the ability to flee ISIS on foot, he and his elderly grandmother were taken captive by ISIS soldiers and held hostage for months, suffering unimaginable abuse at the hands of terrorists.

After being freed by the army and living in an Internally Displaced People (IDP) camp, in 2017, Sameer and his family were welcomed into Australia on Humanitarian VISAs. They now live in Toowoomba, and thanks to the Australian medical system, and You Belong providing transportation assistance to and from medical appointments, Sameer received the complicated surgeries he needed to get back on two feet again and is now walking confidently on two legs completely unassisted.

Sameer is not just a survivor. He’s a hopeful dreamer with a courageous plan for his future. He is currently studying the University of Queensland with dreams of becoming a surgeon so he can help other people who are suffering due to disabilities and traumatic experiences. Sameer has taken the trauma and grief and used them as building blocks for a fresh, hope-filled future, a re-imagined ending to the torture he endured.

We need your help to keep supporting Waymakers like Sameer and his family. Whether it’s providing transportation and basic necessities, hosting community events, or funding English classes, families like Sameer’s need our support to thrive under the Australian sky.

This Refugee Week, please help us to make Waymakers feel at home and thrive #UnderOneSun.

We all live under one sun — this EOFY, help Waymakers feel at home under the Australian sky by donating what you can or sharing our #UnderOneSun campaign far and wide.

Donate here: https://www.youbelong.org.au/ by @youbelongorg

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4 months ago

A couple weeks into our #UnderOneSun campaign, and we still have a long way to go towards our $20k goal!

Thank you to everyone who has already supported the campaign. Your donations will go directly towards empowering the incredibly inspiring Waymakers in our Toowoomba community.

Did you know, in just 12 months alone, 14 dedicated You Belong volunteer mentors provided more than 1,018 supervised driving hours to over 30 Waymakers?

Thanks to the generosity of our volunteers, dozens learners proudly obtained their driver’s licenses, opening doors to greater independence, improved employment access, and the ability to better themselves and their families. It’s practical, life-changing, and often the first step toward freedom, opportunity, and belonging.

This EOFY, during our #UnderOneSun campaign, your donations will go towards helping fund our driving program, along with our many other initiatives, that make Waymakers feel at home under the Australian sun.

A $100 donation can provide 3 driving lessons for a refugee-background woman.

We all live under one sun — this EOFY, help Waymakers feel at home under the Australian sky by donating what you can or sharing our #UnderOneSun campaign far and wide.

Give now at the link in our bio or visit https://youbelong.org.au to make your EOFY donation today! by @youbelongorg

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4 months ago

In recent weeks, we have seen increasing anti-migrant sentiment and the proposal by various politicians of new restrictions on government supports for many non-citizens. These proposed changes are not only harmful to the health and wellbeing of refugees and migrants, but they also risk creating divisive rhetoric that builds animosity towards some of the most vulnerable people in our community.

Now, more than ever, we need to build pathways for Waymakers to integrate with dignity. We need to set them up for successful, fulfilling lives that contribute both to our community and the economy.

We all live under one sun — this EOFY, help Waymakers feel at home under the Australian sky by donating what you can or sharing our #UnderOneSun campaign far and wide.

Donate here with your EOFY gift: https://youbelong.org.au by @youbelongorg

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4 months ago

At the end of the day, we all live #UnderOneSun.
And yet for many newly arrived refugee families in Toowoomba, the journey to feeling safe, connected, and at home is only just beginning.

That’s why You Belong has launched the #UnderOneSun EOFY giving campaign — to help ensure Waymakers in our community have the support they need to integrate, grow, and thrive.

Every day we see the impact of what community can do:
☀️ English classes building confidence and connection
☀️ Driving lessons creating independence and opportunity
☀️ Welcome bags helping families settle into a new home
☀️ Community gatherings reminding people they truly belong

But none of this happens without people choosing generosity.

This EOFY, your support can make a tangible difference:

💛 $50 can help provide petrol for transport to programs and appointments
💛 $250 can support a Waymaker and their children through 10 weeks of English classes
💛 $500 can help provide welcome bags and practical support for more than 12 families settling into their new homes

Every donation — big or small — helps create a more connected, compassionate, and welcoming Australia.

If you believe everyone deserves the opportunity to belong, we’d love your support.

Please consider giving, sharing, and helping us spread the word #UnderOneSun.

Go to the link in bio or visit https://youbelong.org.au to donate today! by @youbelongorg

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5 months ago

We need your help to raise $20k so we can keep supporting the Waymaker community in Toowoomba!

The #UnderOneSun campaign is raising much-needed funds to continue our work to offer newly arrived refugees a sense of community, opportunity, and connection to ensure they integrate, grow, and thrive in our home of Toowoomba.

We’re looking for donations, big or small, to help us continue delivering our proven and vital work.

$50 can help provide petrol for our vehicle to transport Waymakers to and from our programs
$250 can support a Waymaker and their children through 10 weeks of English classes
$500 can support 12+ families with a “welcome bag” when they settle into their new home with the support of our volunteers

Like, comment, and share this post to help us make Waymakers feel at home and thrive #UnderOneSun ☀️

Donate now at the link in our bio.
#EOFYgiving by @youbelongorg

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5 months ago

Real people. Real change. You Belong’s Q1 2026 Impact Report is here.

In our Better Late Than Never edition, you’ll find stories of courage, connection, and welcome from Toowoomba — including Hoshmin’s story, which made the front page of The Chronicle this Mother’s Day.

Grateful for every person who makes this work possible.

Read the full report here — https://tinyurl.com/bdfv5en9 by @youbelongorg

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5 months ago