Building connections with the local community is a key concern for Karen people in Australia . Soon after the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009, members of the Victorian Karen community donated tools to a devastated community north of Melbourne to help them rebuild. Members of the Karen community in Victoria are looking to connect with other local, community –based  groups and organisations to build networks and mutual support.

Young people from the Karen community also seek opportunities to showcase their traditional singing and dancing performances. Karen speakers are also available to tell the Karen story to community groups and relate how they are settling into the Victorian community. Informal home tutoring is sometimes organised and group-to-group, home-to-home friendships are fostered.