We took part in the Block Party held on December 10th in the Atherton Garden Reserve on Napier Street, Fitzroy. Hundreds of people attended this free event, hosted by Yarra Youth Services and the Yarra Council. The event provided entertainment aimed for the residents living in the housing commission apartments nearby, along with people living throughout the Yarra Council area.

Jesuit Social Services took part by having our own stall, featuring our African Visitation and Mentoring Program (AVAMP) and Artful Dodgers Studios. A chance to promote our programs to the wider community and gain support for our work.

The event had musical performers on stage, including Ronnika, Da Hypnotist and Aromer from our Artful Dodgers program. Many people also managed to get a free copy of “Reverberate”, the latest album produced at the studios and launched as part of Melbourne Music Week. An amazing fashion show featuring models from the Yarra Council area towards the end of the event, right up on the stage. The Block Party also provided free food (including sausages from the sausage sizzle), along with art and craft stalls, sports, inflatable slides and soccer pitch, other outreach stalls, didgeridoo playing, hula hooping, dancing, face painting, hair braiding and more.

Jesuit Social Services are grateful to have had the opportunity to take part in such a fantastic event in the local area. We are also proud of our singers who performed on stage during the Block Party and are already dreaming up ideas for next year’s event.

 – Hannah Krasovec