AAFRO Circles
AAFRO Circles is a central hub for a range of programs offering wrap-around and culturally responsive support for children, young people, and families, including those involved in the justice system, to reach their full potential. The circles promote peace and coexistence.
Our Programs
Early Intervention Programs
Our early intervention programs offer safe, culturally responsive spaces for children and young people to connect, grow, and thrive.
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Beat the Time (BTT) is a school holiday program for children and young people aged 5–16, particularly those from families experiencing vulnerability and hardship. The program fosters fun, skill development, and a strong sense of belonging through culturally safe and evidence-based activities. BTT was a finalist at the 2024 Victorian Child Protection Awards.
Eligibility: Open to children and young people aged 5–16 -
It is an independent living skills program through cooking activities and leadership skills to build independence and boost employment potential.
Eligibility: Young people aged 8– 17 seeking practical life and leadership skills.
Education Programs
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It is an online tutoring service for primary and high school students from low-income, newly arrived, refugee backgrounds, and vulnerable families.
Eligibility: Students in years 3–12 experiencing disadvantage or hardship. -
It works in partnership with schools to create safe and inclusive spaces for students from CALD backgrounds or those facing challenges in school engagement, using culturally responsive approaches.
Eligibility: Schools with students from CALD backgrounds.
Justice Programs
AAFRO justice programs provide support to young people and their families who are in contact with the justice system through case management and mentoring.
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An evidence-based support service offering intensive case management, one-on-one mentoring, and group sessions, and helping at-risk and incarcerated young people re-integrate into the wider society by involving their families as part of the process.
Eligibility: Young people aged 10- 25 involved in or at risk of involvement with the justice system. Includes early intervention for younger siblings.
Family Services
Our family programs provide holistic support to women and families who are in hardship and facing challenges to overcome barriers.
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It focuses on girls and women aged 12–30 who are isolated, experiencing intergenerational trauma, hardship, education and employment barriers through management, workshops, and mentoring.
Eligibility: African and CALD girls and women aged 12–30 years. -
Provides case management support to individual women, mothers, and grandmothers caring for their grandchildren, helping them strengthen connections with the wider community and overcome personal and social challenges.
Eligibility: Women aged 30+ from African and CALD backgrounds, who are experiencing family breakdown and violence, hardship, employment barriers and housing insecurity.
Employment & Job Readiness
We offer employment support, workshops, and job readiness to those who need help to get into the workforce.
Eligibility: Young people and individuals aged 15+ from CALD backgrounds.
Ubuntu Training
AAFRO Ubuntu cultural training helps individuals and organisations that are willing to improve their cultural practice and work in a cultural way to help the needs of people who access their services.
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Access pre-reading materials in preparing for the face-to-face workshop.
Full-day face-to-face workshop for up to 16 people is recommended to get the full value of the course.
Cultural Consultation
Cultural consultation offers one-on-one and group coaching and reviews the organisational program model to help it incorporate culturally responsive methods when working with CALD and African communities.
Eligibility: Organisations with 4–16 participants per session and individuals who want to strengthen their culturally responsive practices.
