The SASA Youth Mentor Project and its related programs aim to help young people from refugee backgrounds aged between 12–18 years old settle into their new lives in the City of Stirling, and get connected as members of the community. Find out more about the project.
About the project
The SASA Youth Mentor Project aims to assist young people from refugee backgrounds aged between 12–18 years old.
This project uses a mentoring approach to:
- Provide life skills to young newly-arrived humanitarian migrants that have limited English ability and little or no formal schooling prior to arrival.
- Help them to adapt to Australian school practices in order to advance their literacy and numeracy skills as well as remain linked to educational opportunities.
- Increase their confidence in participating in every day social life by:
- Promoting cultural harmony and identifying common goals and interests between young people from indigenous backgrounds and newly-arrived migrant communities.
- Facilitating innovative or alternative education and training pathways for young people.
- Encouraging and supporting young people in the community to gain leadership, team-building skills and community involvement.
Settlement needs addressed by the SASA project:
- Community development
- Education and training
- Family and relationships
- Law and justice
- Life skills
- Social participation.
Funding is provided by the Federal Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) via their Settlement Grants Program. Annual application submission is required for additional funding each financial year.
The SASA Learning Club
This program was introduced as an extension of the SASA Youth Mentor Program, and has been successfully established in the Mirrabooka regional area.
The Learning Club aims to:
- Support educational and learning opportunities for young people by creating a safe after-school environment where they can access support with homework tasks and other learning needs.
- Encourage constructive use of community spaces (such as the Mirrabooka Library) by engaging young people in activities that promote personal and educational development.
- Provide opportunities for increased community participation and cross-cultural interaction by engaging volunteers in the provision of homework support and other learning activities.
Volunteering experience and community links
This program is an extension of the SASA Youth Mentor Program. It aims to:
- Provide opportunities for young people to experience volunteering in the community
- Provide links to volunteer programmes within the City of Stirling and the wider community.
Project supporters
The City of Stirling will be working closely with a range of community and government agencies in order to ensure that services are not duplicated, community needs are identified and met, and that the limited resources available are used as effectively as possible.
Project locations
- Mirrabooka Community Library
- Herb Graham Recreation Centre
- Leisurepark Balga
- Mirrabooka Senior High School
- Balga Senior High School
- Mercy College, Koondoola
- Balcatta Senior High School, Balcatta
- Australian Islamic College, Dianella.
Further information
For more information, please the City of Stirling’s SASA Project Officer on +61 8 9205 7390 or +61 409 117 365 or email
sasa@stirling.wa.gov.au