By Michaela Meade
Young people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Melton and Brimbank can take advantage of a new program rolling out in the west.
The Opening Minds, Building Futures program – being delivered by refugee and migrant settlement agency AMES Australia – will provide information sessions, workshops and one-on-one counselling to year 7 to 10 students from Pasifika and South Sudanese communities.
Program director and AMES Australia community development manager Maria Tsopanis said the new initiative would deliver a variety of services for CALD young people, to empower them to meet their career goals.
“The aim of the project is to engage, inform and empower young people to identify careers that they might not have thought they could embark on,” Ms Tsopanis said.
“It will also work to build confidence in the parents and school influencers who are advising them.
“This is all about supporting young people to explore the opportunities and career pathways open to them and allowing them to reach their full potential.”
Ms Tsopanis said the program would have flow-on benefits for the broader community.
“We want these young people to develop increased confidence and knowledge of their opportunities,” she said.
“They, in turn, will become role models and agents of change in areas and in communities suffering socio-economic disadvantage.
“We are combining the expertise and skill sets of multicultural youth workers and career counsellors to support young people through a strength-based, co-designed and culturally sensitive approach.”
Indian migrant Manisha Kulai said she is one young person who has already experienced the benefits of the organisation’s programs.
“Joining the program gave me confidence, improved my English and gave me connections with
people in Australia,” she said.
“I also learned about how to find a job in Australia and about the resume and interview process.”
The program is being delivered in partnership with the Centre for Multicultural Youth.
