Community education sessions boon to migrants

Posted on Tuesday, 29 July 2014

A $14,000 donation from the Canterbury League Club was exactly the right amount needed for the Cueibet Youth & Community Association (CYCA) to hold a series of information sessions advocating better awareness and understanding of serious social issues within the community.

With invitational speakers from a range of organisations like the NSW Department of Families and Community Services, Campsie Police, and Multicultural Youth Network, these sessions delivered important information on topics such as domestic violence, substance and alcohol abuse, sexual health and also youth engagement and participation.

“The beneficiaries are mostly migrant youth and their families and address the social issues they might be facing. These sessions empower migrant families to tackle emerging social issues arising in their community with resilience and positive thinking,” said Moses Majak, Secretary for the Cueibet Youth & Community Association.

“The workshops provide an important opportunity for the community to be in a safe space to discuss topics that are considered to be traditionally taboo.”

CYCA is part of a collective organisation of seven diverse refugee community groups called the Canterbury Community Hub that operates in the local Canterbury/Bankstown area. They are based in Campsie at the Metro Migrant Resource Centre.

Aside from running community education sessions, CYCA also runs other activities including English and language classes, soccer and volleyball teams, sports competitions and cultural day dances as a way to enhance community interaction and integration.

“This project really benefits migrants who may be having difficulties adjusting to a new life in a new community. They now have access to first-hand information from primary sources and the opportunity to meet families in similar situations,” said Dr George Peponis OAM, Chairman of Canterbury League Club.