Become a Volunteer

Achut is from South Sudan and came to Australia as a refugee when she was 15, along with her mother and 2 younger siblings.

Achut puts her faith into action as a mental health outreach worker, driving change by advocating for people to access affordable housing, family violence and mental health services and empowering community members by providing necessary information to access services when they need help.

Achut is the AYCW’s National President based in Melbourne. Achut first started in the YCW in 2018 after being invited by the YCW to participate in an action at the local community arts centre.

Sudeep first got involved in the YCW through the YCS group at his school where they took action on climate justice among other social justice issues. I've always been driven to make a difference in my community and in wider Australian society and YCW has given me the platform to do just that. It has empowered me to grow and lead not in spite of my age, but because of it.

Through the YCS and YCW I’ve gained the confidence to lead, speak up for others, and turn my values into action. I’ve been involved in social justice initiatives that focus on empowering young people and creating fairer opportunities in our communities — work that has deepened my sense of purpose and service.

YCW and YCS have helped me grow as a leader grounded in faith and compassion, and I truly believe every young person should join to discover their potential to make a lasting difference!

Sudeep is now the School Captain at his school, has completed his Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award, was a finalist in the Blacktown Youth Ambassador Program, and currently serves as the Youth MP for Londonderry.

Taylah has recently completed her HSC and has been involved in the YCS for 5 years. Taylah is a passionate young advocate who was recently award NSW Youth Parliamentarian of the Year and hopes to continue making a difference in the world through the YCW.

YCS and YCW has truly changed my life, giving me the opportunity to amplify the voices of young people, including my own, and make positive contributions to my community.

The movement feels like a family, always empowering one another to catalyse change, with impacts felt around the world.

Taylah’s experience has included interviewing politicians, championing actions and leading other like-minded young people and currently represents the YCS at the National and International level.

From member to leader, Thomas is living out the mission of the YCW through the affordable housing action in Parramatta.

Thomas is part of a team that is turning the YCW House in Granville into affordable accommodation for young migrants - fighting the housing crisis with practical action.

Just bricks and mortar, action and justice. Thomas is a building contractor by day and affordable housing warrior by choice.

Yolanda has been a part of YCW and YCS since 2023 and is currently mentoring her parish-based YCS group in Canberra. Yolanda was a member of the group when she was at school and has continued to support the development of new leaders.

It has been so amazing to see the growth and commitment of the members here.

YCW has had a profound impact on my life as it has motivated me to make a difference in my community and in wider society. I’m so lucky to be a part of this movement that advocates, raises awareness, and actively works to better the lives of others.

Yolanda is part of the National Team that sees young people come together from all over the country to work together on common campaigns such as raising awareness about the role girls and women in the Church.

YCW has allowed me to live out my faith in the truest sense of it – seeking justice, helping those in need, and keeping young people at the heart of it. YCW is a movement run for by and with young people, and so there’s no better way of living with my purpose than being part of the movement!

Joining the YCW has been one of the most meaningful experiences of Bella’s leadership journey.

I’ve gained the confidence to lead, speak up for others, and turn my values into action. I’ve been involved in social justice initiatives that focus on empowering young people and creating fairer opportunities in our communities — work that has deepened my sense of purpose and service.

YCW has helped me grow as a leader grounded in faith and compassion, and I truly believe every young person should join to discover their potential to make a lasting difference!

Mani came to Australia as a refugee from Sri Lanka and has been part of the YCW since 2018. The YCW welcomed him through weekly or monthly catch-ups with other young workers. Mani recalls that the trips to the beach for ice cream or pizza were always a highlight.

It's hard to express how much YCW has shaped me. I've found a deeper sense of belonging and a stronger connection with my faith. The friendships I've built here have been a huge part of that. I felt quite isolated until I joined YCW.

The people in this group have become like family to me. They've shown me what real friendship looks like how to be honest, vulnerable, and supportive. I've learned so much about trust, friendship, serving others, and, most importantly, about myself.
Being part of the YCW has given me a renewed sense of purpose. It's helped me grow stronger in my faith, and I'm more confident in who I am. I'm grateful for the leaders and everyone here who has made this journey possible.

Sisilina is the YCW Youth Engagement Officer in Adelaide.

In 2024 Sisilina attended the YCW’s Regional Key Leadership Meeting (RKLM) in Indonesia where she had the opportunity to visit local communities, forming new friendships and learning from each other.

YCW has had a big impact on the person I am today. It’s helped me become more generous and selfless, and encouraged me to think more deeply about how my actions—big or small—affect those around me. I’ve come to realise that at the heart of what we do are our faith, values, and morals.

YCW has taught me how to communicate better, to be open-minded, and to have meaningful conversations with people who may see things differently to me. It’s also stressed how important it is to educate myself about issues that affect young people today and encourage them to act too.

As a YCW Social Media Volunteer, Kshitiz - an international student from Nepal - has connected with YCW members from different backgrounds, sharing ideas, and contributing to various digital campaigns that promote social awareness and change.

My journey with YCW has been an inspiring and meaningful experience. I joined YCW as a student and found a community filled with supportive and motivated individuals who truly care about making a positive difference in society.

Through YCW, I have learned the value of faith in action and the power of working together for a greater purpose.

This journey has helped me grow as a person and strengthened my belief in community, compassion, and leadership. I am grateful to be part of YCW a movement that continues to inspire young people to serve others and build a better world.

During my time as a YCW Youth Engagement Officer I was provided the opportunity to develop beyond the technical skills of the position. I was welcomed into a community that highlighted the impact of young people as advocates for promoting justice, by empowering young people to take collective action in a way that embraced all walks of life.

My work with helping initiatives servicing the migrant and refugee community in particular has been a passion sustained by my time with YCW, further informed by the core model of SEE-JUDGE-ACT.

See-Judge-Act has greatly influenced my approach to problem solving and ensures my faith remains central to any challenge I may face. I look back on my time with YCW with gratitude and with an enduring connection to like-minded individuals across the country and overseas.

Gio is a YCW social media volunteer who came into the role curious to learn more about the digital world and gain hands-on experience.

I was involved with YCW’s human rights webinar, specifically the social media campaigns and what I took away from that experience is how incredibly fulfilling it is to be able to contribute to something meaningful and make an impact in society, specifically helping the youth as they enter the workforce.

This role has taught me the importance of using my creative skills with a heart, and I think the YCW motto of creating “a service for every need” will stick with me forever.

Prerna moved to Australia in 2019 with hopes of building a future grounded in purpose and connection. In 2024, after completing her studies in Psychology and Counselling Prerna stumbled upon the YCW, which soon turned into something much more meaningful.

Having the privilege to work with YCW has been incredibly rewarding.

It has opened my eyes to the systemic and everyday challenges faced by young people, especially international students and migrants, many of whom are navigating a new country, culture, and often, isolation.

YCW has given me a platform to channel my experience, education, and empathy into real action. With the guidance and encouragement from YCW leaders and workers, I’ve had the chance to engage with young workers, advocate for fair treatment, and create safe spaces for conversations and change.

Being part of YCW has reminded me that change happens when we show up, together.