Why Choose Oyiti Foundation for Multicultural Youth Inc.?

At Oyiti Foundation, we stand out because we are not just an organization that serves the community—we are the community. As African Australians, with lived experience and deep roots in the South Sudanese community, we understand the unique challenges, struggles, and aspirations of our youth. We have walked the paths they tread, faced the tragedies they endure, and carry a shared determination to create a brighter future.

What Makes Us Unique?

1. Lived Experience:
   We are not observers of the challenges faced by South Sudanese youth; we have lived through them. Many in our team have personal stories of loss, struggle, and resilience, giving us an intimate understanding of the impact of mental health challenges and youth suicide. This connection enables us to empathize and offer meaningful support that others cannot replicate.
2. Cultural Insight:
   The South Sudanese community has a rich culture but faces unique struggles in navigating identity, intergenerational conflict, systemic racism, and cultural adaptation in Australia. We bring cultural sensitivity, respect, and knowledge to our work, making us uniquely positioned to connect with youth and their families in ways others may not fully grasp.
3. Community Trust:
   Our deep involvement in the African Australian and South Sudanese communities has earned us the trust of our people. Families, youth, and elders turn to us not just as service providers, but as partners and advocates who have their best interests at heart.
4. Holistic Support:
   Mental health and youth suicide cannot be addressed in isolation. We understand the interconnected challenges faced by South Sudanese youth, such as intergenerational trauma, discrimination, unemployment, and lack of opportunities. Our programs tackle these issues comprehensively, offering support that spans mental health, mentoring, education, employment pathways, and cultural empowerment.
5. A Voice for the Voiceless:
   At Oyiti Foundation, we amplify the voices of South Sudanese youth and their families. We advocate for systemic change by bringing their lived experiences to policymakers, service providers, and the broader public, ensuring that their stories drive real transformation.

Addressing Youth Suicide and Mental Health

The rates of youth suicide in the South Sudanese community are heartbreaking, fueled by a complex web of intergenerational trauma, disconnection, and societal pressures. Oyiti Foundation offers:

• Trauma-Informed Care:Providing culturally tailored mental health support led by professionals who understand the community’s unique struggles.
• Early Intervention Programs:Engaging youth at risk and providing safe spaces for connection, healing, and self-expression.
• Family Support Services:Helping parents and caregivers navigate the challenges of raising children in a bicultural environment, building stronger family relationships.
• Peer Mentorship:Empowering young people through role models who have overcome similar struggles, showing them a pathway to hope and resilience.
• Community Education:Breaking down the stigma around mental health and suicide within the community through open dialogues, workshops, and cultural understanding.

We at Oyiti Foundation believe in hope, healing, and the strength of our community. Together, we are creating safe spaces, building futures, and ensuring that no young person feels alone in their struggle.

Choose Oyiti Foundation because we are not just here to help—we are here to heal, empower, and inspire.