Children, young people and families will have access to vital early intervention supports under a suite of new multicultural and youth-focused projects backed by more than $1.57 million from the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Crime Prevention Anthony Carbines today announced three multicultural projects will share in $725,000 to deliver a range of activities promoting inclusion, mental health and wellbeing and greater connection to local communities, as part of the government’s Crime Prevention Strategy.
The Ubuntu Empowering Mothers project in Melbourne’s West and South East will receive $500,000 to continue supporting the wellbeing of mothers, building their connectedness and capacity to support young people in their communities. This brings the total investment in the project to over $1.5 million since 2020.
The project - delivered by the University of Melbourne, Afri-Aus Care and the Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity - has supported 168 mothers, young people and children since 2020, with 98 participants and family members securing employment.
Based in Dallas, the Spectrum Migrant Resource Centre’s Pathways to Resilience project will receive $150,000 to support up to 100 children and young people with social, sporting and recreational activities and educational workshops to develop leadership and teamwork skills and connect young people to peers and their community.
The South Sudanese-Australian Academic Society will also receive $75,000 for its ‘Just Drop In’ Youth Centre for South Sudanese children and young people between the ages of 8 and 16 to empower them to reach their potential through educational, recreational and family support activities.
Minister Carbines also announced 19 local community groups and organisations will share in more than $852,000 through round two of the Youth Engagement Grants.
The grants provide up to $50,000 for projects that are specifically designed and delivered by small multicultural and Aboriginal organisations to support young people to connect to their community, family, friends and culture.
The grants are part of the Building Safer Communities Program, a cornerstone initiative of the government’s Crime Prevention Strategy, which sets out a long-term approach to addressing the root causes of crime and strengthening community safety and cohesion across Victoria.
Since 2015, the Labor Government has invested more than $90 million in crime prevention programs and supported over 945 projects to increase safety and community confidence in public places across Victoria – including $1.7 million in the 2021-22 Victorian Budget for two rounds of the Youth Engagement Grants.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Crime Prevention Anthony Carbines
“Youth Engagement Grants back grassroots organisations to reach more young people and provide meaningful connections – I congratulate all the successful recipients who will continue to make a real difference.”
“These projects provide children and young people with strong social connections that set them up for strong lives, and I’m proud to be part of a government that’s investing in the future of young Victorians.”
“We’re also backing multicultural projects that promote strong, connected communities.”
Reviewed 07 October 2022