Young people in Canterbury-Bankstown have the opportunity to help organise and host local events that celebrate culture and community under a new program, Culture and Connection Creators.

The online program, targeting youth aged 17-25, will allow them to develop and deliver community events, including International Thank You Day and Harmony Day.

Funded by the Department of Communities and Justices under the Youth Opportunities program, the program aims to foster inclusion, participation, health and wellbeing and  access to employment.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said he’s thrilled to see more opportunities for  community participation on offer for young people in CBCity.

“With the current lockdown leaving many young people feeling disconnected, it’s never been more important to provide these programs that build connections in the community,” Mayor Asfour said.

“It is also an opportunity for young people to be trained and mentored in areas of leadership, event management, innovation and entrepreneurship.”
As part of the Culture and Connection Creators program, participants will receive:

• A year-long subscription to mentoring with YEmpower;
• Free training sessions for personal branding, mental health first aid, entrepreneurship and emotional resilience;
• Opportunities to lead, design and deliver community events; and
• A reference letter and certificate at the of completion of the program in March 2022.

Canterbury-Bankstown local and participant, Amy Wong, said the program allows her to meet people from different cultural backgrounds who are also passionate about transforming the local community.

“It’s helped me build a strong sense of belonging in a warm and connected community and a little family that I can say I am proud of,” she said.

The Culture and Connection Creators group hopes to recruit more young people from Canterbury-Bankstown to become confident and innovative leaders who wish to make positive changes in our community.

For more information and to register for the program, visit cb.city/CCC