Debi De Silva and Street Peace: A Journey of Creativity, Connection, and Change

Chat Session 179 with Debi

🎧 Catch Up Link

Topic- Discovering Street Peace in Unlikely Circumstances.

Monday 2^nd November 2026 1pm https://rppfm.com.au

From an Internship to Life-Changing Streetwear: Debi’s Street Peace Journey

For Debi De Silva, Street Peace was never something she anticipated becoming a vital part of her journey. It all began in 2021, during a strange period between COVID-19 lockdowns. As a guest at Street Peace and then again in 2022, Debi’s initial connection with the organization was rooted in her studies and her growing interest in community work.

At the time, Debi was studying a Bachelor of International Studies at RMIT University, focusing on development and community work, and was seeking an NGO where she could complete her university internship. With COVID-19 reshaping opportunities across Australia, Debi broadened her search, and Street Peace caught her attention.

From Internship to Impact 

Street Peace was still in its early stages of becoming an official NGO, developing its vision to work with young people across Australia. Recognizing an opportunity to blend her academic pursuits with her passion for youth and community work, Debi began her internship. What started as a university requirement soon transformed into a meaningful journey that would shape her future.

Over time, Debi’s role within Street Peace evolved significantly. Today, she contributes to youth mentoring, creative projects, campaigns, and the organization’s growing apparel social enterprise, Street Peace Threads.

A Passion for Creativity

Debi has always been a creative person—art, design, photography, and visual storytelling have been integral parts of her life. As she became more involved with Street Peace, she found ways to incorporate her artistic skills into the organization’s work.

Her creative journey with Street Peace began with designing merchandise and exploring the possibilities of a social enterprise. It then expanded into creative curation—capturing stories, producing social media content, shaping visual campaign directions, and communicating the organization’s mission visually.

For Debi, creative curation isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about understanding the stories that need to be told. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling that reflects the reality of the young people Street Peace mentors—highlighting their resilience, humanity, and growth, rather than just their challenges.

Storytelling Through Visual Media 

Debi’s storytelling skills have been tested and refined through directing financial marketing campaign videos for Street Peace, along with their promotional content. These projects have allowed her to develop narratives that resonated with the young people she supports—stories that showcase their journeys, struggles, and triumphs.

Her focus remains on creating stories that show young people as more than their circumstances. “There is always more to the story,” she says, emphasizing the importance of seeing the full human experience behind every individual.

More Than Just Clothing

Debi’s creative approach naturally extended into Street Peace Threads, the organization’s streetwear range and social enterprise inspired by the journeys of at-risk youth. Each collection reflects different themes from various seasons of mentorship, but the purpose goes far beyond fashion.

Street Peace Threads is a declaration for peace on the streets—using clothing as a medium to spark curiosity and conversations. Debi finds excitement in creating streetwear that people genuinely want to wear, while carrying meaningful messages connected to Street Peace’s wider work.

Empowering Young People Through Creativity

One of Debi’s most rewarding experiences has been involving young people directly in the creative process. She has taught them how to print T-shirts and manage apparel orders, giving them practical skills and a sense of ownership.

This hands-on involvement provides young people with valuable learning opportunities—practicing responsibility, developing skills, and witnessing the tangible results of their work. For Debi, this is where creativity and connection intersect: fostering growth, confidence, and potential.

A Role That Continues to Evolve 

What makes Debi’s journey with Street Peace unique is the fluidity of her role. It has continually evolved alongside the organization and her own skills. From an internship to youth mentoring, from creative curation to storytelling and campaigns, her responsibilities have expanded in diverse directions—all driven by a shared purpose: people.

Looking back, Debi reflects on how her involvement began as a student seeking an internship during a global pandemic. Instead of just learning, she found a space where her passions for youth work, creativity, and community could intersect and flourish.

Telling a Different Story

For Debi, her work isn’t just about creating T-shirts, videos, or social media posts. It’s about telling a different story—one where disengaged young people are seen beyond their circumstances, where creativity creates opportunities, and resilience is celebrated.

Street Peace Threads embodies this vision. It’s life-changing streetwear with a story behind every piece—a public declaration of hope, peace, and transformation.

The Journey Continues

Debi’s journey with Street Peace is still unfolding. Her story illustrates how a simple internship can grow into a meaningful career dedicated to making a difference—through storytelling, creativity, and genuine connection.

Because at the heart of it all, for Debi, it has never been just about the work—it’s about telling a story of resilience, opportunity, and peace on the streets.

Life Transforming Streetwear

Walk the streets with https://www.streetpeacethreads.com.au 

Donate Transforming the Lives of At-Risk Youth 

Or purchase a Street Peace Threads Gift Card 

Follow on Instagram Streetpeacethreads

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