The Victorian government is paying more attention on youth issues within South Sudanese communities in Melbourne. The government has provided a $5.5 million funding package, which was announced on 30 July 2018 to establish three new Community Support groups that will focus on helping South Sudanese youths to be their best.
The government is hoping to be able to get more community engagement, resilience and more meaningful assistance provided to young people to link them to appropriate services. Minister for multicultural affairs Robin Scott announced this program together Jenny Mikakos, Minister for youth, signalling a strong focus on the youth and the need to connect them and their families to existing and new activities to improve their health and wellbeing, education, training and employment outcomes, as well as community participation.
Ring Mayar, Chair of the South Sudanese Community in Victoria interviewed by Clyde Sharady
The three new groups will be set up in Melbourne’s West (Wyndham and Melton/Brimbank) and South-East (Dandenong) and and will focus on South Sudanese communities.
The Centre for Multicultural Youth will manage two groups, in Dandenong and in Melton/Brimbank and Wyndham Community and Education Centre has been appointed the auspice of the third CSG, which will be located in Wyndham. Each group has been funded to support its establishment and operation, including employing staff to work with young South Sudanese people and families and provide them with culturally-sensitive support.
Funding will also support the engagement of youth outreach workers, alcohol and drug support workers, parenting programs, youth mentoring, family support and sports and recreation activities. A Local Reference Group, established by the auspice organisation and comprised of community members including young people, local and state government representatives, will guide each location’s operations and activities.
Each of the new locations was selected in response to consultation through the Victorian African Communities Action Plan, developed by and for African communities in partnership with the Labor Government.
