Our Story
We aim to Connect, Communicate, Coordinate, Collaborate, Create and Celebrate with the diverse Australian community for a more positive and inclusive Australian society. Our Story
Our Beginning
Since 2013, Africause has been committed to empowering African Australians through
education, economic participation, and social inclusion by fostering connection,
collaboration, and change.
What began as a grassroots initiative to support African Australian youth has evolved
into a comprehensive organisation serving families and communities across Victoria.
For more than a decade, we have been listening, supporting, and advocating for over
5,000 mothers, fathers, young people, elderly, and community leaders.
Who we are
Africause is a not-for-profit organisation working across Melbourne’s western and northern suburbs. Our team brings lived experience, language skills, and cultural knowledge to every service we deliver.
Our Theory of Change
How we work
Africause is more than just an organisation—it's a place where community members are known by name, not by client number. Our office in the heart of Footscray is one of the last and only places to which community members can turn whilst struggling to deal with the complexities of the Australian social, education, employment and justice systems.
At the heart of each interaction with a mother, young person or family is the desire to understand the underlying problem and contributing factors. Most stories are complex and impacted by aspects such as country of origin, language, cultural customs, religion, illiteracy, lack of networks, home situation, absence of role models, and more.
We speak several languages, enabling clients to share their stories and express their needs clearly, avoiding misinterpretation.
Our activities include
Our Current Impact
For many, the Africause office in the heart of Footscray is one of the last and only places to which community members can turn whilst struggling to deal with the complexities of the Australian social, education, employment and justice systems. Oftentimes, they have been referred by their friends or community members who have shared stories of how Africause has positively impacted their lives.
Dr. Berhan knows each client by name, not by their client number. The reasons for the visits are all very different; each story is unique and needs a different intervention. Most of the stories are complex and impacted by aspects such as country of origin, language, cultural customs, religion, illiteracy, lack of networks, home situation, absence of role models, current area of residence, and social influences.
Our Vision for Growth
Africause has strong governance, a highly skilled CEO, a high-profile Patron, a dedicated team of staff and many volunteers; yet the sustainability of Africause depends on its ability to attract funding to build organisational capacity to meet growing demand.
Dr. Berhan remains committed to Africause and is reaching out to philanthropists and government to secure financial support to build the capacity of the organisation going forward. This requires the employment of key staff across four pillars, enabling Dr. Berhan to focus on strategy in collaboration with the Board of Directors to increase the Africause impact.
Our Four Pillars for Growth
Growth & Partnerships
Building strategic partnerships and establishing diverse and reliable revenue streams to build the capacity and sustainability of Africause.
Education & Training
Providing secondary school private tutoring for African-Australian students, enabling them to progress to TAFE, university or other employment pathways.
Mentoring & Employment
Establishing professional mentoring, area-of-interest work experience and internships for African-Australian young people with nonprofits, corporations and government.
Community Development & Inclusion
Planning and delivering an annual calendar of community development programs for African-Australian young people and their families.
Our Values
Africause is an organisation that values and celebrates diversity, and that is respectful of a person's culture, identity and beliefs. We are committed to:
