The launch of the JAMMA program — formerly known as CSG — marked a powerful moment for youth empowerment in Melbourne’s western suburbs, reinforcing the growing impact of community-led initiatives supporting multicultural young people, particularly those from the South Sudanese community.
Led by the highly respected Carmel Guerra, the program operates under the long-standing work of the Centre for Multicultural Youth, an organisation nationally recognised for strengthening opportunities for young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds through education, leadership and community engagement.
JAMMA launch at Caroline Chisholm Catholic Colledge in Melbourne’s West
AMMA stands as a dedicated pillar focused on youth connection, school outreach and community empowerment — building on years of groundwork laid by its former CSG framework. Its continued success has been made possible through sustained backing from government departments and education partners committed to social inclusion and early intervention.
Across Australia, research consistently highlights that culturally responsive youth programs significantly improve school engagement, wellbeing and long-term employment pathways for young people from migrant backgrounds. Organisations like CMY have long demonstrated that when young people are supported early — particularly through school-based outreach and mentoring — communities experience stronger social cohesion and reduced disengagement.
What makes JAMMA especially impactful is its inclusive approach. While the program has deep roots in supporting South Sudanese youth, its reach now extends across diverse cultural groups, fostering intercultural connections that reflect the real fabric of modern Australia. Young people from different backgrounds learn together, support one another and develop leadership skills — breaking down social barriers that often begin in adolescence.
Education remains a central pillar of the program’s work. By embedding outreach within schools, JAMMA helps students navigate challenges, build confidence and remain engaged in learning — a proven strategy for improving long-term outcomes.
This commitment to partnership was on display through JAMMA’s involvement in community and school events, including Sacred Heart Day at Caroline Chisholm Catholic College, where youth engagement activities brought together students from varied cultural and social backgrounds in a spirit of unity and participation.
Community leaders and educators alike continue to point to initiatives such as JAMMA as models of how grassroots programs can deliver measurable impact when properly supported. At a time when many young people face increasing social pressures, economic uncertainty and cultural displacement, programs that combine mentorship, education and community connection are proving essential.
The unveiling of JAMMA is more than a program launch — it represents a continued investment in Australia’s future leaders. By nurturing confidence, intercultural understanding and educational engagement, the initiative is helping shape stronger communities across Melbourne’s west.
The CSG initiative upon which JAMMA is built was a community-led youth support program in Victoria designed to empower young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds — particularly within the South Sudanese community — through culturally responsive outreach, mentoring and school engagement. Delivered in partnership with the Centre for Multicultural Youth, CSG connected young people and families to education, wellbeing and employment services while strengthening community capacity and long-term social inclusion.
As Australia’s population grows more diverse, the success of programs like JAMMA highlights a clear truth: when young people are supported, included and empowered early, the benefits extend far beyond the classroom — strengthening families, communities and society as a whole.
