It may only be a piece of plastic, but for refugee families in the Illawarra, a driver's licence is a precious commodity.That's why the Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families (SCARF) has developed the L2P program, to help refugee learner drivers get their P plates.SCARF volunteer and program manager of L2P, Ted Booth, said drivers' licences were highly valued by refugee families in the Illawarra."Licences are very important, as they provide access to work and to wider community activities," he said.Without a program like L2P, many refugee learner drivers would find it impossible to clock up 120 hours."In their community there are very few people with cars or licences who can supervise them," Mr Booth said.L2P links learner drivers with voluntary supervisors, using an online booking system.Mr Booth believes the online system, developed by Evanscorp, makes L2P ground-breaking."Other organisations do similar programs, but doing a web-based booking system is unique," he said.The project needs more volunteers from the community."We need more mentor drivers who are willing to work for 11/2 hours per week," Mr Booth said.Mentors will be in safe hands, as every learner driver must complete 20 professional lessons before joining L2P."They are not getting in with raw learners," Mr Booth said.Illawarra Toyota has given SCARF a car at half price to be used for driving lessons.Mr Booth said the opportunity to meet a refugee family should not be passed up. "To meet someone from our new emergent community is a fabulous experience," he said.Anyone wanting to volunteer as a learner driver supervisor should contact Ted Booth on 4229 3284 or email driving@scarf1.org.au.
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