Mission Australia

Mission Australia is a non-denominational Christian community service organisation, with a particular focus on families and children, young people, homeless people and communities.

The Sony Foundation Australia is the long term supporter of Sounds of the Street, a core program of Mission Australia’s Creative Youth Initiatives (CYI) which gives disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 25 the opportunity to gain new skills through exploring their creativity in music. Sounds of the Street is an accredited TAFE course where students, with the guidance of tutors, learn to compose, perform and record music. The course culminates in a live performance and launch of a commercially available CD of their own work.

Through this unique music program, students have the opportunity to gain new skills while working through various issues. They are encouraged to make the next step in their lives a positive one, either to further education, employment or increased self-esteem and social skills.

Mission Australia is now conducting its seventh annual survey of young Australians aged between 11-24 years. The survey aims to identify the key and emerging issues for young people. It asks young people about what they value; their concerns; sources of advice and support; involvement in community activities, and who they admire. If you are between the ages of 11 and 24, the Sony Foundation invites you to participate in the survey by clicking here.

The survey is Mission Australia’s major advocacy initiative in the youth area and in 2007, around 29,000 young people responded to the survey. A report of the survey findings will be available late in 2008.