2024 Great Ydeas Small Grant Winner
Led by Lew Ching Yip, Project Chosen Family stands as a vital support group for Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM) female-identifying youths aged 18 to 25 in Canberra. Addressing the needs of those estranged from their families or facing challenging familial relationships, this initiative provides early intervention, education, and a confidential space for peer support. Project Chosen Family aligns with the broader mission to combat gender-based violence against women in Canberra, fostering safety and empowerment for marginalised individuals.
Applying for a Great Ydeas Small Grant was all new to me. It was a new process, but I felt supported along the way, and it really helped me bring my long-held vision to life. I’ve worked in the domestic violence (DV) and youth sectors for a while, so I knew what needed to be done, but the grant guidebook was especially helpful in showing me what not to do.
There were moments when I truly felt out of my depth, but I looked to community leaders for guidance and support, which helped keep me grounded. Now, I’m at the outreach stage and ready to take referrals. This is where the real work begins, but I’ll admit that sometimes, I feel a little terrified—what if no one signs up? Despite these worries, I’ve been assured that, in reality, my service will likely be inundated with those in need, and that’s reassuring.
When I first designed Project Chosen Family, I knew there were some existing support groups, but many of them have since closed down. I’ve found that when I speak with other organisations, there’s often a lack of understanding of the CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) community. The language is different, and it can be difficult to articulate the unique experiences of our youth. It’s one of the reasons this project is so important—it provides a space for those who might feel invisible in mainstream services.
The impact of working with a CALD perspective was vital to me, even down to the logo design. It was created by a CALD graphic designer, and it symbolises the coming together of constellations—just like how our diverse youths come together in community.
This project stands as a crucial support group for young women-identifying and gender diverse youths aged 18 to 25 who are from Culturally and Racially Marginalised (CARM) backgrounds, particularly those who navigating their emotional needs and boundaries in challenging family relationships. It offers early intervention, education, and a confidential peer support space. Most importantly, it aligns with the broader mission of combating gender-based violence in Canberra, creating a safer, more empowering environment for those who need it.
I’m excited to see this project come to life and look forward to offering this much-needed support to CARM youths navigating challenging familial relationships.
Project Chosen Family is currently taking self or community referrals. You can read more about it and reach out to the team here https://projectchosenfamily.com.au/.
