For Youth

Case Work

Our youth case workers help to empower young people who are new to the country (less than 5 years in Australia) by helping them to access services for themselves and find information that will enhance their own lives. We also provide referrals, advocacy and individual and group consultation as well as information sessions on youth-related topics.

 

Homework Support & Study Centres

Our two homework centres at Blacktown and Mt Druitt provide support to high school and tertiary students from a range of cultural backgrounds. Tutors from the local community provide academic support in a range of subject areas.

 

Football Program

Young people from different cultural backgrounds are encouraged to take part in our Football (soccer) program at our weekly sessions at Kevin Betts Stadium in Mt Druitt. Our Football Youth regularly participate in high-profile competitions; professional training clinics with the Western Sydney Wanderers are held quarterly; we assist our young people to register and play with their local football clubs.

 

Blacktown Emerging Leaders & Advocates Program (BELA)

Blacktown Emerging Leaders & Advocates Program provides leadership coaching and mentoring support to young aspiring leaders. Young people will gain advocacy, community engagement, leadership and public speaking skills. Eligible youth will be aged 14-24 years old, from a migrant or refugee background and interested in social issues affecting migrant and refugee young people at a local, state/territory and national level. All BELA participants commit to fortnightly meetings for at least 6 months. Graduates of the BELA program will form the SydWest Youth Advisory Committee and become SydWest Youth Ambassadors.

School Holiday Activities

Excursions, leadership camps and swimming programs are just some of the things our youth groups get up to in the school holidays. School holiday activities are designed to meet the social needs of young people from different cultural backgrounds.

 

Youth in Transition

The project supports disengaged young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to prepare for employment and to establish themselves in the labour market by improving their connection and access to employment services and programs. The project includes:

• Education and employment pathway workshops (apprenticeships and traineeship programs)
• Referrals to relevant agencies
• Advocating
• Information sessions on the Australian education system and
• Employment training with Western Sydney Institute of TAFE (resume writing, job search skills, job interview skills, employment related computer skills and career planning. 

Youth Events

Youth conferences, festivals and barbeques are just some of the special youth events we hold each year to engage, educate and inspire young people and to promote community engagement and social cohesion. Youth volunteering in high-profile events such as National Youth Week or Refugee Week are some of the ways youth can gain local experience and connections. 

Working with educational institutions

We partner with training organisations, Western Sydney University, TAFE NSW and local high schools with high CALD student populations to develop resilience building and life skills programs. These programs aim to enhance the ability of refugee students to cope with the Australian education system and to deal with difficult situations in a positive way.