The Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI) Youth Scholarship Program is designed to support learning and education goals for young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

"The program not only supports young people financially to continue with their engagement with learning, but it provides an avenue for engagement and support," said Allyson Pazos, general manager of youth and refugee support at MCCI. 

The Youth Scholarship Program is now in its second year.

"The aim is to establish long lasting connections with youth and their families and through ongoing mentoring empower participants to effectively navigate systems, connect to support services for them and their loved ones and support youth with their long-term goals and aspirations," Allyson said.

"We hope the financial support they get today will have a long-term positive impact well beyond today’s scholarship financial contribution."

This year, in collaboration with COORDINARE, the South Eastern NSW Primary Health Network, MCCI is proud to award 15 students learning tablets, while 10 students will receive the full $1000 scholarship award.

"We are delighted to support this program and wish the scholarship recipients all the best as they pursue their educational goals," said Prudence Buist, CEO of COORDINARE.

Hasnaa, who is now 21, arrived in Australia from Syria in 2014 and is planning on studying criminology next semester at university. She received a tablet as part of the scholarship.

"This is quite important to me because I have been finding a lot of difficulties getting support. I’m not the type to get support so this is a perfect opportunity," Hasnaa said.

As part of the scholarship program, successful applicants will be asked to participate in the MCCI Youth Scholarship Mentoring Program. The program aims to support students with their development goals, establish support networks in the community and support them with effective pathways when required.

Police Ball to raise funds for MCCI

In more good news, MCCI has been chosen as a partner of the Illawarra Police Charity Ball on Friday, 26 July.

Money raised will contribute to supporting young people from multicultural backgrounds through youth scholarships and a 12-month mentoring program.

"MCCI and the NSW Police force have worked closely for many years to reduce the perceived barriers between the multicultural members of our community and the police,"  said MCCI CEO Chris Lacey.

"The NSW Police have been invited and participated in many events hosted by MCCI, and opportunities where the police can assist further have been identified.

"MCCI is delighted to have been chosen as a partner for the 36th Illawarra Police Charity Ball."

To donate a prize for the evening, please contact cristina@mcci.org.au.

To book tickets to attend the ball on July 26, register here.