Page 19 - AYC Annual Report 2017 - 2018

discuss and share their experiences as Muslim women This project culminated in the production and launch of their
navigating their cultural and religious communities in own magazine Here or Wherever featuring stories, photos
Australia. AYC held a special INSPIRE workshop during the and interviews about what it means to be a young person
event, resulting in a public performance by fifteen young living in Cumberland in 2017.
women. These young women spoke and sang about their
personal lives and identities. Women shared stories of Mental Health Arts Workshop
celebration and survival drawing on their unique experiences AYC partnered with Auburn Girls High School to offer
as Muslim refugees, immigrants and Australians. a mental health and resilience workshop for support
unit students yr. 9 -11. The workshops focused on self-
The Iftar dinner resulted in 40 new AYC memberships and awareness, communication skills, self-care and using the
young woman who now engage into the Centre. The beauty arts to “Be Inspired, Be Yourself”. This workshop ran over
of the night was the coming together of different communities 8 weeks facilitated by Bronwyn Davies Glover and had 22
in celebration. participants throughout the process. AYC was featured in the
The performance Auburn Review during mental health week reflecting on the
of the young workshop success. Auburn Girls High School presented AYC
woman broke with a certificate of appreciation for their work with the young
down the barriers people. There was an overwhelmingly positive response
that hold people from the students and teachers involved.
in their existing
groups. We love “I WANT TO DO THIS WORKSHOP
that our programs . EVERYDAY BECAUSE IT TEACHES ME SO
play a part in the MUCH ABOUT MYSELF” (feedback form,
development of a participant aged 16yrs, Auburn girls)
harmonious Cumberland community.

Family Fun Day Culture Drop
Here or Wherever Magazine Project Sometimes you have to convince the parents that a youth
& Production centre is a good place for their children to attend. This was
In late 2017, AYC partnered with community organisation I.C.E one of the premises of our family fun day, show the parents
on a unique, one time, youth magazine project. The Community that AYC is a safe and fun place. We also wanted to give
Development worker supported the implementation of the families an opportunity to have a free afternoon of fun, food
project as 15 youth worked with professional photographers, and games.
graphic designers, writers
and youth workers over On the day over 160 people enjoyed a jumping castle, bubble
twelve weeks in the soccer, games bus, face painting, basketball, soccer, table
creation of the magazine tennis, art, music and games. To keep the energy up there
“Here or Wherever”. “Here was an ongoing BBQ, salads, snacks, cakes and drinks. We
or Wherever” is a youth thank the Woodville Alliance, Strong Minds, for partnering in
led, youth designed this event.
collaboration, reflecting
the experiences of young
people currently living
in Cumberland. Youth
were invited to attend the
Underbelly Arts Festival
wherein they had the opportunity to meet artists, critique
work and use their new photography skills.

15