“I am because we are.”
Project Sunrise is a government-funded AOD recovery initiative supporting young African Australians aged 12–34 across Victoria — free, confidential, and culturally grounded.
Project Sunrise is designed to create lasting, systemic change — not just for individual clients, but for the entire African Australian community's relationship with health services.
Improve understanding of AOD-related harm among African Australian people
Improve pathways to health services, treatment and rehabilitation
Contribute to sustainable, long-term improvement to service providers' cultural competency
Build trust between service providers and African Australian communities
Increase service providers' understanding of substance use issues in African Australian communities
Project Sunrise is an Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) initiative funded by the Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP). Led by the African Australian Welfare Bureau in partnership with Positive Wellness Recovery Centre (PWRC), Odyssey Victoria, and Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS).
We support young African Australians aged 12–34 across Victoria with free, confidential, and culturally safe AOD recovery services — regardless of immigration status.
“At present, mainstream AOD and mental health services fail to adequately meet the complex needs of Victoria's African communities.” — VACAP Evaluation Report, December 2023Read Our Story
Individual and group counselling delivered by workers with lived cultural experience. Practical case management to address housing, employment, legal, and health needs alongside AOD recovery.
Workers draw on shared cultural knowledge and lived experience. Strengths-based approaches that empower young people to make positive changes, with trauma-informed care at every step.
Warm referrals and advocacy to medical, housing, employment, financial, legal, mental health, and immigration services — ensuring no young person navigates recovery alone.
Project Sunrise offers cultural competency training and secondary consultation services for mainstream AOD and health providers working with African Australian clients.
Our training helps your team build the knowledge, trust, and cultural sensitivity needed to effectively engage young African Australians — reducing barriers and improving outcomes across your service.
Reach out to our team to discuss your organisation's needs. We'll tailor a response that works for your workforce and client group.
“I am
because
we are.”
— Ubuntu, African Proverb
Project Sunrise incorporates the Ubuntu Approach — working holistically with the entire African community to build trust and address substance use as a shared community issue.
It encourages communities to grow together whilst staying connected — recognising that recovery is not an individual journey, but a collective one.
Learn About Our Approach
Working alongside our community partners to improve outcomes
for young African Australians across Melbourne's west.
Recognition & Awards
15 Nov 2024
Project Sunrise received the Community Award from Wyndham Women's Magazine in 2023, recognised for outstanding service to women, families, and young people in the Wyndham community.
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Recognition & Awards
26 May 2024
Project Sunrise has been recognised at the Africa Day Gala for two consecutive years — 2023 and 2024 — for exceptional service to African Australian communities across Victoria.
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Recognition & Awards
24 May 2024
Project Sunrise was honoured to be nominated alongside leading organisations in the Community Engagement category at Brimbank City Council's 2024 We Are Brimbank Awards ceremony — held on 23 May 2024.
Read Full StoryWe provide outreach and on-site support across Melbourne's African community hubs, with regular community engagement events and forums in each region.
Heather Chigwada — AOD Clinician
+61 401 384 482Catherine Kokro — AOD Clinician
+61 426 757 970Muhumed Elhassan — AOD Clinician
+61 401 868 488Our team will respond within 2 business days. Referrals are free, confidential, and open to any young African Australian aged 12–34 — regardless of immigration status.
