Lismore Region for Refugee Settlement has welcomed their first family to the region.

The family comprises a mother and her thirteen-year-old son from South America.

A spokesperson for the group, Bridget Carr, said, We will be setting them up with accommodation, clothes, and household goods, in fact, all their initial needs.

"We will also arrange for a school and English lessons and connect the family with local services."

"We will continue to help, and support them for their first year until they are successfully embedded in the community."

"We could not have done this without the generous support of the local community."

Bridget said Lismore Region for Refugee Settlement (LRRS) received many generous donations from service clubs such as Rotary, Lions and the CWA as well as private donations.

"A special vote of thanks goes out to the Acid Bleed jazz band, who freely donated their time and talents for a very successful and enjoyable fundraiser."

The group has also been fundraising with market stalls and raffles plus received many generous donations of furniture and white goods.

The Lismore Region for Refugee Settlement (LRRS) group has been operating for about a year.

They met when holding a weekly vigil outside Kevin Hogan's office protesting the offshore detention of refugees and asylum seekers.

The government arranges flights and visas under a community sponsorship scheme known as CRISP.

"Depending on donations and fundraising, we will probably be able to settle two families per year," Bridget said.

"There are two groups in Ballina who are currently settling three families."