November 13, 2012
Attention: news editors, ethnic media, social affairs, community writers
New funding for national leadership role takes CMY to
New South Wales
The Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) has welcomed an announcement by the Federal Government of a partnership to support young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds
in Greater Western Sydney.
Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, Federal Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Sports today announced a
funding commitment of $270,000 over the next three years, for the establishment of a new independent
service in New South Wales through a partnership between CMY, the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS AFL
Club, Multicultural Youth Affairs Network (MYAN) NSW and its local host organisation Settlement Services
International (SSI).
This funding is part of a larger $1.2 million commitment by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
over three years, to fund a national approach to youth settlement through the national Multicultural Youth
Advocacy Network (MYAN) established by CMY in 2005.
CMY CEO Carmel Guerra applauded the government in acknowledging the need to create a service for
young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in the Greater Western Sydney area.
“As Convenor of the MYAN, CMY has actively advocated for more support for young people in Greater
Western Sydney and welcomes the opportunity to support the establishment of this service. It is not only a
significant boost for young people in Greater Western Sydney but also to others around Australia as it
strengthens a national approach to helping young people settle well,” Ms Guerra said.
“Working with the GIANTS will allows us to combine CMY’s sector knowledge with the facilities and
personel of a major sporting club committed to creating genuine community connections and providing
meaningful opportunities for the youth of the region.”
“We will work with the MYAN NSW and SSI over the next eighteen months to establish this new service
which will be modelled on CMY’s approach in Victoria,” she said.
Senator Lundy said a growing proportion of people settling in Australia under the humanitarian program
are young with almost 70 per cent of our current humanitarian intake younger than 30 years of age.
“We recognise that the challenges are tough for young people from refugee backgrounds. They have needs
that are clearly unique from and additional to those of older refugees and humanitarian entrants…it is
hoped that the new service I have announced today will assist them to navigate through these issues and
improve outcomes.”
-ends-
Media Enquiries: Nikita Vaz, Media and Communications Officer
T| 03 9340 3746 E| nvaz@cmy.net.au
in Greater Western Sydney.
Senator the Hon Kate Lundy, Federal Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Sports today announced a
funding commitment of $270,000 over the next three years, for the establishment of a new independent
service in New South Wales through a partnership between CMY, the Greater Western Sydney GIANTS AFL
Club, Multicultural Youth Affairs Network (MYAN) NSW and its local host organisation Settlement Services
International (SSI).
This funding is part of a larger $1.2 million commitment by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship
over three years, to fund a national approach to youth settlement through the national Multicultural Youth
Advocacy Network (MYAN) established by CMY in 2005.
CMY CEO Carmel Guerra applauded the government in acknowledging the need to create a service for
young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds in the Greater Western Sydney area.
“As Convenor of the MYAN, CMY has actively advocated for more support for young people in Greater
Western Sydney and welcomes the opportunity to support the establishment of this service. It is not only a
significant boost for young people in Greater Western Sydney but also to others around Australia as it
strengthens a national approach to helping young people settle well,” Ms Guerra said.
“Working with the GIANTS will allows us to combine CMY’s sector knowledge with the facilities and
personel of a major sporting club committed to creating genuine community connections and providing
meaningful opportunities for the youth of the region.”
“We will work with the MYAN NSW and SSI over the next eighteen months to establish this new service
which will be modelled on CMY’s approach in Victoria,” she said.
Senator Lundy said a growing proportion of people settling in Australia under the humanitarian program
are young with almost 70 per cent of our current humanitarian intake younger than 30 years of age.
“We recognise that the challenges are tough for young people from refugee backgrounds. They have needs
that are clearly unique from and additional to those of older refugees and humanitarian entrants…it is
hoped that the new service I have announced today will assist them to navigate through these issues and
improve outcomes.”
-ends-
Media Enquiries: Nikita Vaz, Media and Communications Officer
T| 03 9340 3746 E| nvaz@cmy.net.au
