The stories of CMY and our people
Get to know the people at the heart of our work…from amazing young people, to passionate volunteers and staff working to ensure that young people have every opportunity to succeed in Australia.
CMY Stories
Meet Isa, CMY’s new Youth Intern! 👀
Isa will be joining the CMY team as the newest Youth Intern. We sit down and get to know her and she begins her role.
Youth Advisory Group
Ballarat Youth Advisory Group: Real Voices, Real Impact
The Ballarat YAG is helping shape the future of youth work in the region—one conversation, one event, and one idea at a time.
Culture Spring
Culture Spring according to Nahsh
We sat down with Culture Spring’s Project Lead Nahshon (Nahsh), to learn more about the work they do and get to know Nahsh!
Volunteer
Helping young people feel empowered, safe and less alone
Kara volunteers as an Independent Person (IP) with YRIPP, supporting young people in police custody.
CMY staff
An interview with Marie, CMY Youth Intern
Marie sat down with us to share her experiences as Youth Intern at CMY.
CMY staff
Get to know Le Mana’s Team Leader: Tamm
I am Tamm Kingi-Falakoa, from the best Pacific Island in the world, Niue.
CMY Stories
Jen Rose reflects on the power of storytelling and CMY’s journey
We sat down with Jen Rose to unpack the journey of the award-winning CMY history project.
Shout out speaker
Preventing gender-based violence
Ridmi is a 27-year-old woman who is an expert in family violence prevention.
(DET) Reconnect
Reconnecting young people with their careers
Dal and Lauren* are two young people who have been engaged in the Reconnect program.
CMY staff
I’m a certified yapper
Hello! My name is Akwal Magek. That’s “Ak-uo-wal” (you’re welcome for the pronunciation guide.)
(DET) Reconnect
Participants lead their own path
We sat down with Julie, Multicultural Youth Worker for the (DET) Reconnect program, to learn a bit more of her work and impact of the program.
Youth Leadership
Bringing cultural heritage and lived experience to the mental health system
Neerja is one of the Youth Advocates for Reverb 2.0, a prevention and early intervention mental health initiative, co-designed and co-delivered by multicultural young people.
Shout out speaker
Being the defender
Mursal is a young woman who loves adventuring, playing soccer and watching Netflix’s ‘Wednesday.’
CMY Stories
Ali’s migration from Afghanistan and finding family in CMY
Ali shares his experiences of settling in Australia and reflects on his time with CMY.
Youth Leadership
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Mohammad is a youth advocate bringing a new lens to mental health initiatives.
Shout out speaker
Identity, community and wellbeing with Sagalee
Sagalee is the founder of an African youth-led organisation, a street journalist and a creative.
Youth Advisory Group
Advocating for your passions
Syazwani (Wani) is a Malay-Singaporean woman with a passion for making local change.
CMY Ballarat
Having your voice heard
Matthew is a Filipino-Australian man who has always wanted his voice to be heard. He is a member of CMY Ballarat’s Youth Advisory Group (YAG).
Volunteer
How volunteering can shape a young person’s experience of the justice system
Beth volunteers her time to ensure young people have access to fair treatment and support.
Volunteer
The value of volunteer mentors and role models
Paul was looking for a new volunteer opportunity, and the YRIPP program ticked all his boxes.
CMY staff
An interview with Maxwell, CMY Youth Intern 2022-23
CMY Youth Intern Maxwell shares lessons learnt while in the role and what he’s up to next.
CMY staff
Strengthening the capability of the sector
Chelsea King, CMY’s Senior Practitioner – Sector Capability Building, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the forefront.
CMY staff
4 ways to make your work more culturally responsive
Cultural Diversity Week is an opportunity for us all to celebrate the diversity within Victoria’s multicultural communities.
CMY Gippsland
Taking it day by day
Regardless of where you are in the world, the fire inside you will continue to burn.
Youth Leadership
An interview with Rosie on her identity journey, work with the Youth-Led Unit and connection to community.
Volunteer
Learning from each other: Volunteer journeys with Ucan2
Daniel and Sohaila have been volunteering with Ucan2 once a week and share their experiences of learning and growth.
Youth Leadership
Learning curves and breaking convention
Understanding perseverance, the importance of developing your own set of values and morals and exploring different perspectives.
Policy Intern
Fulfilling learning on the job
Mohamed Ahmed is a Somalian man who is a film buff and a big fan of puzzles.
Volunteer
Researching with peers: A volunteer’s journey with Explore
Michelle Lim has been an Explore youth researcher since 2022 and has already had her hands full with opportunities.
Youth Advisory Group
From struggling to flourishing
Thu Nguyen is a member of our Ballarat Youth Advisory Group. Not only that, but Thu is also a volunteer for Speak Up and Tiaal Mi Goa.
Volunteer
Rewarding connections: A volunteer’s journey with Ucan2
Angeline has been volunteering with Ucan2 for over a year and a half and has found it a rewarding experience.
CMY staff
Expressing pride in yourself, and family
Maxwell Leuga is a proud Samoan man with a passion for sports.
Youth Advisory Group
Two sisters finding purpose together
Alaynah and Arissah are two determined sisters.
Shout out speaker
Finding connection in community
Mamuch Chuol is an athlete, student and leader who above all cherishes connecting people within his community.
Le Mana Pasifika
Harmony Youth Summit
The Harmony Youth Summit brought together young people from Māori and Pasifika communities to share their perspectives on the challenges they face today.
YRIPP
The importance of small interactions over time
Passionate volunteer Michael has been actively involved with YRIPP for over a decade.
Youth Leadership
An interview with Ikram Mahamed, CMY Youth Intern
An interview with 2022 Youth Intern, Ikram Mahamed, who worked on Seat at the Table, ABC Takeover Melbourne and other CMY programs.
Youth Leadership
Representing multicultural young people in leadership
Meet YAG member Wesley, who cares deeply about multiculturalism and inclusion.
Volunteer
Empowering diversity: a volunteer’s journey with Employment Empowers
CMY Ballarat
Ballarat’s Youth Award recipient champions diversity & inclusion
CMY Gippsland
Exploring ideas of leadership as a young person in Gippsland
Board
Meet Asanga, CMY’s newest Board Director
Asanga Seneviratne is a young person, CMY Board Director, and Adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
Volunteer
Mentor-mentee match results in a warm welcome
Community Support Group
South Sudanese radio program celebrates culture and connectivity
Ucan2
University lecturer helps newly-arrived young people in his free time with Ucan2
Hossein Shokouhi is a university lecturer and a dedicated volunteer for Ucan2, a program run in partnership with CMY and Foundation House.
Youth Leadership
Helping young people flourish in Australia
“When I arrived in Australia I struggled in school, my English language skills were limited, I was bullied and teased for being African.”
CMY Stories
Giving young people the tools to find employment
Like many young people who seek refuge in Australia, Rahaf had to put her entire life on hold.
YRIPP
Multigenerational volunteer duo support young people in police custody
Reconnect
Sumayya gives back through her new children’s book
Shout out speaker
Mohamed Semra talks about systemic racism
Mohamed has been through the Australian education system and says, “it’s not built for me.”
Employment Empowers participant
Building career confidence and a diverse workforce
Asmaa struggling to find permanent employment after completing her studies.
YRIPP
“It’s the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done”
Elli Bradshaw shares her experience as a volunteer Independent Person for the Youth Referral and Independent Persons Program.
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