The Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity (AAFRO) exists primarily to build a bridge between young people of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background – especially those of African descent and their families – and the wider Australian community. Our mission is to create sustainable access to opportunities for immigrants, refugees, and vulnerable young people, pa
rticularly those of African background. We do this by supporting them to reach their full potential as individuals, and by integrating them harmoniously into the wider Australian community. Our vision is that Africans, and other culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, feel welcomed, trusted and understood. To achieve our mission, we strive towards meeting three key objectives for young people and their families. To assist with their integration into wider society by providing them with education, counselling, self-development skills, housing assistance and cultural advice to re-establish their economic and emotional independence. To develop and run programs to improve their livelihoods—including those that focus on preventing poverty and distress and providing educational opportunities to improve economic and social circumstances for at-risk youth. To promote greater awareness – in schools, government and non-government agencies and service providers – of the circumstances of young people of African and other descent, as well as members of their families living in Australia.
