Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Youth School Retention Initiative
Generally, many young people of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) identity from migrant or humanitarian background experienced difficulties in either staying in school or transitioning from Intensive English Classes (IEC) to high schools due to contributory factors of the settlement process. This is particularly evident from issues raised during interviews with youth, teachers and parents/guardians ranging from those relating to schooling, employment to recreation as well as family relationships. The SGP youth program has a strong focus on this target group with activities supporting life skills, family relationships, leadership development, linking youth services and improving communications between teenagers and parents. Such young people were encouraged to participate in our annual youth camp, homework club, information workshops or other youth oriented events including accessing our youth outreach service in Riverwood for casework.
Based on consultation with youths, parents and teachers, aguide for Refugee Youth Settlement Experience and Journey in Educational Pathway was developed to assist those who have experienced significant interruption to their education, or have had little or no schooling prior to arriving in Australia. The purpose of this resource is to offer additional and alternative support to teachers working with youths from refugee backgrounds. This guide is a living document and shall be enriched with further ongoing consultations with relevant stakeholders.
Community Cohesion Model: Muslim Youth-Police Partnership
A Muslim youth and police partnership project targeted Australian young Muslims (including new arrivals) and the wider community resulting in participation of 75 Muslim young men and 100 police officers. Led by the St George Youth Services in partnership with the Police Community and Youth Centre, St George and Hurstville Police, SGMRC and Al Zahra Muslim Women’s Association, this project aimed to support the objectives of improving relationships between Muslim young men and police; break down negative stereotypes towards Muslims and Police; increase trust between Muslim communities, Police and other communities; increase awareness of Muslim community on their rights; and demonstrate a best practice model of Police and Muslim community partnership.
The project has a strong focus on personal development and life skills using recreational activities and workshops (anger management, role -playing and stereotyping, drug and alcohol, masculinity, bullying, etc) aside from mentoring by Muslim male mentors to support the relationships between young people and police. Cultural diversity training was organised for the Police on youth issues, cultural diversity, Islam and youth services and media relations was developed to educate the importance of promoting positive and responsible media messaging of Muslims young men and police.
Evaluation Outcomes:
- More respect for police and increased understanding of Muslim culture and youth issues by police
- Improved positive relationships and increased trust between Muslim young men, Muslim communities and Police and the general community.
- Increased awareness amongst Muslim young men on their rights and responsibilities (Young Offenders Act and roles of police and crime prevention)
- Reduced stereotypes of Muslim young men and police through media coverage on the project
This successful community cohesion model is being considered for upscaling or replication for other community groups.
St George Leader media release
Encountering African Youth Isolation
Casework services and consultations revealed that there are a significant number of young African men living in the area with minimal local support networks such as family and friends as a result of secondary settlement. These men wanted to strengthen their social engagement through recreational sporting activities. They were supported by linking them to youth networks and local sporting opportunities, which included joining the local Police Community and Youth Centre and becoming involved in local sporting teams. This has assisted them to integrate into mainstream sporting groups and enhanced their social participation in the local area. Some of them are now playing for soccer teams in the St George area.