African Youth Initiatives Centre

Baai Alkebulan’s African Library Art and History Museum

Baai Alkebulan’s African Library Art and History Museum

Baai Alkebulan House is Australia’s first African Library, Arts and History Museum. Baai Alkebulan is the dedicated home for learning about the history and culture of people of African and First Nations descent.From rare and important books to art, antiques, professional services and businesses, we want to educate ourselves and our children about our rich ...

GOAL

$20,000

Australia > VIC > Metro and Regional
02/09/2024 > 02/02/2025

Field of Interest

  • Arts and culture
  • Social inclusion and justice

Target Population

  • Asylum seekers, refugees, migrants and people from CALD backgrounds
African Youth Initiatives Centre African Youth Initiatives Centre

We’re an African led organisation, for Africans.

Our youth services include:
- Case Work to support individuals & families
- A Safe space for African youth to visit & seek connection
- 1-1 Mentoring by African mentors to Support & Give Guidance to African Youth
- Work Placement to support students career development
- Recreational Programs to Support Emotional & Social Development

Since 2016, we have worked hard to help kids from African descent grow and develop through:
- Mentoring
- Education
- Cultural recreation

Project Summary

Baai Alkebulan House is Australia’s first African Library, Arts and History Museum.

Baai Alkebulan is the dedicated home for learning about the history and culture of people of African and First Nations descent.
From rare and important books to art, antiques, professional services and businesses, we want to educate ourselves and our children about our rich cultures and history to empower each other to navigate the future.

Baai Alkebulan House inspires the youth to use the teachings of our ancestors to reach greater heights, unbound by the preconceived ideas placed upon us.

We seek to create a new narrative for the future of our communities by learning about our past. Baai Alkebulan House, established by African people, is a multi- functional space designed to foster the development and advancement of our communities. We offer a range of programs tailored to diverse age groups and interests, encompassing both creative and academic pursuits.

Project Outcomes

Baai Alkebulan directly impacts African and First Nation children and youth aged between 5-25 who live in the Western Melbourne area. As a result of youth in Australia reporting higher-than-ever rates of loneliness, we deliberately placed Baai Alkebulan in Footscray. This location is already a hub for people who live in the Western suburbs and is easily accessible to youth, families, and children via public transport.

It also acts as a ‘Third Place’ which has been linked to supporting young people who endure social marginalisation by allowing a location away from home, school, or work environments to learn about themselves and other people.

Reading Group
Weekdays - TBD Sunday 3pm - 5pm
Creates a space for to participate in conversations and learn about themselves and diverse communities. Learning together with individuals from various cultural backgrounds, will promote social unity and reduce conflicts.

Homework Club & Chess Club: Gives students access to CALD tutors outside of the pressure of a school environment and improves academic confidence. Encourages learning and strategic thinking, as well as, social growth. It also provides an exploration of hobbies that are safe and educational.

Youth Advisory Group: Delivered monthly, encourages youth leadership, fosters community discussions, and offers exposure to diverse perspectives. Provides networking opportunities with mentors and industry leaders to enhance job prospects.

Poetry & Performance: Creates a safe space for performance and highlighting of community creative ideas. Provides more opportunities for youth to be heard with opportunity of meeting like-minded people

Holiday Activities: Gives children and youth a chance to socialise and participate in activities in a safe environment.

Budget Breakdown

TOTAL BUDGET: $47,000
FUNDING
Funding source Amount
Scanlon Foundation (confirmed) $20,000
Private donors (confirmed) $5,000
AYI Centres (confirmed) $2,000
Funding gap (unconfirmed) $20,000
EXPENSES
Expense item Amount
Space hire $15,000
Program cost (including equipment promotions and marketing $20,000
Catering $5,000
Workshop facilitators $7,000

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Contact Us
Level 6, 126 Wellington Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants and Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.

Australian Communities Foundation is a proudly inclusive organisation and an ally of LGBTQIA+ communities and the movement toward equality.