Youth services
Engaging, connecting and inspiring young people.
SydWest offers a fun and comprehensive Youth program for young refugees, humanitarian entrants and migrants who are settling into Australia.
Youth services targets young people aged 12 to 25 years old living in the Blacktown and Penrith LGAs.
Our Youth Services
Case Work
Our youth case workers empower young people who are new to the country (less than 5 years in Australia) by helping them to access services independently and find information that will enhance their own lives. We also provide referrals, advocacy and individual and group consultation as well as information sessions on youth-related topics.
Homework Support & Study Centres
Our two homework centres at Blacktown and Mt Druitt provide support to high school and tertiary students from a range of cultural backgrounds. Tutors from the local community provide academic support in a range of subject areas.
Our youth programs
Blacktown Emerging Leaders & Advocates Program (BELA)
Blacktown Emerging Leaders & Advocates Program provides leadership, coaching and mentoring support to young aspiring leaders in Blacktown. Young people will gain advocacy, community engagement, leadership and public speaking skills. Eligible youth will be aged 14-24 years old, from a migrant or refugee background and interested in social issues affecting migrant and refugee young people at a local, state/territory and national level. All BELA participants commit to fortnightly meetings for at least 6 months. Graduates of the BELA program will form the SydWest Youth Advisory Committee and become SydWest Youth Ambassadors.
Youth in Transition
The project supports disengaged young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to prepare for employment and to establish themselves in the labour market by improving their connection and access to employment services and programs. The project includes:
- Education and employment pathway workshops (apprenticeships and traineeship programs)
- Referrals to relevant agencies
- Advocating
- Information sessions on the Australian education system and
- Employment training with TAFE NSW Western Sydney (resume writing, job search skills, job interview skills, employment related computer skills and career planning.
Working with educational institutions
We partner with training organisations, Western Sydney University, TAFE NSW and local high schools with high CALD student populations to develop resilience-building and life skills programs. These programs aim to enhance the ability of refugee students to cope with the Australian education system and to deal with difficult situations in a positive way.
SydWest also works with TAFE NSW to deliver short-course qualifications to support employment pathways for youth clients in the target group.
Youth On Track
The Youth On Track is an early intervention program funded through NSW Department of Communities and Justice that delivers specific support services to 10-17 year old young people who at risk of long-term involvement in the criminal justice system. The program supports young people (an their families) through case management and evidence informed interventions to address their needs.
Football Program
Young people from different cultural backgrounds are encouraged to be involved in our Football (soccer) program at our weekly sessions at Kevin Betts Stadium in Mt Druitt.
Our Football Youth regularly participate in high-profile competitions such as the M-Series competition; professional training clinics with the Western Sydney Wanderers held quarterly; we assist our young people to register and play with their local football clubs.
SydWest’s Youth Football program also participates in the M-series project, a CALD competition.
School Holiday Activities
Excursions, leadership camps and swimming programs are just some of the things our youth groups enjoy during the school holidays. School holiday activities are designed to meet the social needs of young people from different cultural backgrounds.
Youth Events
Youth conferences, festivals and barbeques are some of the special youth events we hold each year to engage, educate and inspire young people and to promote community engagement and social cohesion. Youth volunteering in high-profile events such as National Youth Week or Refugee Week are some of the ways that our youth can gain local experience and connections.
Useful Resources for Download
The Navigating Resettlement project research report, launched 25 July 2018, is a research report prepared by WSU, commissioned by SydWest Multicultural Services, to document and evaluate the project’s approach in working with young people as they navigate the settlement process in Australia and explore their career and life aspirations.
Checkout www.youthinactionws.org for more information on the Navigating Resetttlement project.
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