The Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity (AAFRO) is an organisation created and driven by African communities in Melbourne to build a bridge between young people from a range of cultures and the wider Australian community. The organisation hosts forums and activities to promote positive mutual engagement with schools, and the local community with the aim of securing partnerships and sponsorship of educational programs, skills workshops and community outreach in order to advance the self-development of young Australians and their families. AAFRO takes a holistic approach to developing young Australians, through an emphasis on educational assistance, work and life skills, the family environment and wider community. AAFRO has the following objectives: • To directly assist, encourage and facilitate the integration into Australian society of new arrivals through education, cultural and practical advice and to re-establish economic and emotional independence so as to assist in overcoming the effects of, poverty, domestic violence, distrust of law enforcement authorities and distress caused by war and related events. • To assist and support young new arrivals by assisting in fluency in the English language and life skills. • To develop and provide policies and programs in relation to the prevention of homelessness, isolation and unlawful activity, and to provide educational opportunities to improve economic and social circumstances for youth at risk and who are known to the justice system. • To allow AAFRO to assist families and youth within other countries.
