Multicultural youth on the Gold Coast to benefit from new program

Southport based The Migrant Centre (TMC) have developed a new program called JUST4YOUth which aims to reach out to multicultural youth within the community by providing information and access to programs/activities that deal with issues affecting young people, in particular new arrivals to Australia.

TMC Executive Manager Anna Zuba said as a provider which assists with settlement of newly-arrived migrants and employment, youth engagement was a key element of their service.

“After consultation with ethno-specific community leaders and representatives, it was indicated that there are new and emerging issues with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) youths some of whom are at risk of disconnection from the community,” Ms Zubac said.

According to ‘The CALD Youth Census Report 2014’, the number of CALD youth aged 12-24 in the Gold Coast was 86,958.

The report shows that due to the language barriers faced by those from non-English speaking backgrounds, CALD persons are also more likely to report having no support sources available compared with the non-CALD Australian population and those born in English-speaking countries.

“Even those who do not experience language barriers may have difficulty finding and accessing services that are culturally appropriate,” Ms Zubac said.

Ms Zubac said a $12,250 grant from the ETC Community Support Fund enabled TMC to expand their capacity in assisting CALD youths on the Gold Coast and youths from Pacific Islander backgrounds.

“The ETC funding helped to cover the costs of a Project Engagement Worker, development of handouts, printing of resources, engagement activities with schools, youth services, transport and amenities for our new JUST4YOUth Program,” Ms Zubac said.

“The information provided in the new program will be printed in English and translated to 5 languages (Arabic, Farsi, Chinese, Amharic, Tigrinya) which represent new, emerging and fast-growing communities on the Gold Coast.”

To find out more about the JUST4YOUth Program or The Migrant Centre services, visit www.migrantcentre.org or contact 07 55917261.

ETC Director Ian Preston said it was a pleasure to be able to support The Migrant Centre.

“The ETC Community Support Fund is designed to help organisations reduce disadvantage, generate opportunity, increase support services and/or build capacity in the communities in which we operate,” Mr Preston said.

“ETC is proud to be a not-for-profit company and we are confident the money we are donating will help make a more positive future for our community.”

ETC provides employment and training services on the Gold Coast. If you need help finding a job, are looking for staff or are interested in up-skilling, contact ETC on 1800 007 400 or visit www.etcltd.com.au.