Donations

Approximately 25% of the total youth population identify as multicultural, national settlement statistics depicting some 70% of the humanitarian entrants are under the age of 30 years, with these trends unlikely to change over the next five years. (Ferguson, 2009).

Young new arrivals from refugee backgrounds are one of the most disadvantaged and marginalised groups in society. Some have been child soldiers, some have witnessed or experienced torture and trauma, some have received very little or no formal education, many have lost or become separated from their usual sources of support, including family, friends and familiar networks and some have spent years in refugee camps or immigration detention centres. These young people generally arrive in Australia with no money or worldly goods, with poor English language skills and with no understanding of Australian culture and systems.

Adjusting to life in a new country can be very difficult for any migrant but it can be particularly difficult for refugees who have been subject to forced migration. Refugee young people in the initial stages of resettlement have to contend with many difficult issues including learning a new language, adjusting to a new culture and systems, coping with pre and post migration experiences of loss, trauma and disruption, making new friends and more.

The need to provide adequate support and relief to many vulnerable refugee young people is significant, MYSA relies on the support of the general public to be part of the solution by donating to our organisation.

The contributions of refugee young people to the social fabric of the South Australian community is huge and many of the young people we have helped over the last 14 years have gone forward to become active and contributing citizens in our community.

There are significant assumptions that community services will have a trickledown effect to service the unique and complex needs of refugee children and young people, and this is usually not the case.

We need your help to change a life! Please donate today.

All donations to MYSA are tax deductible