CALM began in 2016 as a humble Instagram page—CALM Basketball— founded by two high school students, AJ and Khalid, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Their vision was simple but powerful: build a sense of community through sport. In response to the challenges of COVID-19, and with the guidance of their former basketball coach and mentor, they reimagined their mission—shifting from the court to the community. In 2021, CALM Youth was born.
In just three years, what started as a small initiative evolved into a fully registered charity and not-for-profit organisation in 2025. Every step of the journey—from workshops to activations—was funded through the personal income and passion of its founders. Today, CALM Youth is a thriving movement empowering marginalised young people across Victoria—proof that with heart, vision, and community, small beginnings can lead to powerful impact.
