[Melbourne Anglican] A parish church in Vermont, a suburb of Melbourne, Australia, has created a safe space for youth in the Chinese community to find connection and encouragement.
The vicar of Holy Name Anglican Church, the Rev. Grace Wang, and parishioner and counselor Ping Luo saw a need with young people disconnected from family and education. Some of the young people were school refusers, and others had learning difficulties exacerbated by language gaps.
Luo said she was working with young people one-on-one, but the Safe Space initiative enabled youths of similar backgrounds to come together, share stories and make social connections.
“The youth find it very difficult to make new friends at school. They felt isolated,” she said. “Some are very anxious.”
Safe Space was a recipient of the Melbourne Anglican Foundation youth grants. This funding was invaluable for the continued provision of food and mentoring at no cost to the young people.
Wang said it was important to provide vulnerable young people with a safe environment where they could build trusted relationships and share their lives.
The young people were initially withdrawn, not willing to make eye contact, but Wang has seen them transform. “They got back a life in their eyes,” she said. “It’s encouraging just to help the young people to feel recognized.”