The Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY) is an Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young people from migrant and refugee backgrounds. Established in 1988, CMY was the first organisation in Australia to work exclusively with these groups, aiming to remove barriers and create opportunities for their successful participation in Australian society[2][3][5].

Mission and Vision

CMY’s mission is to influence social policy and service provision to ensure young people from diverse cultural backgrounds have every opportunity to succeed. The organisation is grounded in respect for human rights, diversity, and multiculturalism. It promotes inclusiveness and meaningful participation of migrant and refugee youth in decision-making and leadership, advocating for their empowerment and influence within Australian society[3][4].

Services and Programs

Operating statewide in Victoria, CMY provides a range of services including support, mentoring, education, employment opportunities, community connections, and youth advisory groups. Specific programs address issues such as youth homelessness, disengagement from education, and social inclusion through culturally responsive approaches. For example:

• The Specialist Reconnect program works with newly arrived refugee young people at risk of homelessness using family-centred and culturally sensitive case management and mediation strategies[5].

• The Navigator program offers intensive case management and advocacy to support disengaged learners and their families, fostering education re-engagement[5].

• Sports initiatives provide safe spaces for young women from migrant and refugee backgrounds to participate in football and volleyball, promoting health and social inclusion[5].

CMY combines direct service delivery with policy development within a community development framework, enabling strong connections with youth and their communities to effect change locally, statewide, and nationally[3].

Advocacy and Community Impact

CMY actively advocates for multicultural youth rights and equity, contributing critical insights in government consultations such as the Victorian Multicultural Review. Its work highlights the importance of data collection, cultural competence, and inclusive social policies to better serve multicultural young people[1].

Organizational Values

• Human Rights: Commitment to upholding the rights of young migrants and refugees as fundamental to equity.

• Diversity: Promotion of multiculturalism as a strength, celebrating difference in all forms.

• Participation: Focus on creating sustainable ways for youth to meaningfully engage in leadership and decision-making processes[3].

Conclusion

With over three decades of experience, the Centre for Multicultural Youth stands as a key advocate and service provider for migrant and refugee young people in Australia. Its integrated approach combining direct support, advocacy, and sector capability building fosters a more inclusive and equitable society for culturally diverse youth.

This article summarizes the Centre for Multicultural Youth as a vital organisation supporting migrant and refugee young Australians, drawing on publicly available sources and the organisation’s stated mission and programs.

[1] https://www.cmy.net.au [2] https://www.devex.com/organizations/centre-for-multicultural-youth-cmy-55340 [3] https://www.idealist.org/en/nonprofit/fbf3776fa495418e84e0efae87c90dc3-centre-for-multicultural-youth-carlton [4] https://www.instagram.com/centre.for.multicultural.youth/ [5] https://www.southeastyouthdirectory.com.au/youthdirectory/agency/index/id/20