Our stories Archives - Jesuit Social Services

Tailored support enables ReConnect participants to flourish
- 16 January 2025
As Father Brosnan once said, “Three things that I have noted are needed by someone leaving prison are: a place to live that is decent, a job they can handle, and friendship.” Our ReConnect program echoes this wisdom by providing the comprehensive support that enables participants to flourish. It provides up to nine months assistance…
Specialist NDIS support to ease transition from care
- 30 November 2022
With our specialised support, 17-year-old Allie prepared to exit out-of-home care and live independently in the community.
Homelessness Week 2022 – stable housing helps people get their lives back on track
- 29 July 2022
Around one third of people exiting prison do so into homelessness. The need for stable housing is critical in helping people to turn their lives around, become productive members of society and ultimately reach their potential.
Housing support helps self-belief grow
- 7 June 2022
The strong links between homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system are well documented. Twenty-five per cent of people entering prison experience homelessness in the four weeks before entering prison and more than half of those...
Maribyrnong success shows potential of rehabilitative justice
- 31 May 2022
‘Without your help, I’d be back in jail by now.’ It’s a comment staff at our unique ‘step-down’ post-prison accommodation have heard multiple times over the past two years. The Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility, in Melbourne’s west, provides temporary accommodation and wraparound support to men leaving prison who would otherwise be homeless – a circumstance…
Pilot program preventing homelessness after prison
- 27 May 2021
The Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility supports men who are exiting prison to find stable housing and employment prior to reentering the community One of the key challenges experienced by people exiting the prison system is a lack of safe and secure housing. Nearly half of people who exit prison in Victoria do so into homelessness,…
The importance of relationships at Dillon House
- 25 May 2021
Giovanna Nicolia, Next Steps Program Coordinator Next Steps is a flexible, responsive early intervention program which aims to address both homelessness and the criminal offending of young people. The program works intensively, both in a residential setting and in an outreach case management capacity, to provide access to secure, sustainable housing and simultaneously reduce a…
Transitional support and housing pilot creating hope for the future
- 15 September 2020
Place-based social change on the agenda in Western Sydney
- 12 March 2020
Attendees at the ChangeFest Aboriginal astrology workshop ChangeFest is a national celebration of place-based social change – which empowers and supports local communities to identify, plan, fund and evaluate the services they need. In November 2019, the three-day event was held in Mount Druitt, Western Sydney, where we have worked with and alongside the community…
‘You see violence that young and you get desensitised’
- 4 September 2018
Speaking with Ignatius* is like speaking with any other young man. Ignatius looks forward to moving in with his fiancé He works as an apprentice tiler, is studying to become a personal trainer and is passionate about fitness including boxing and cycling. “In my spare time I play chess, hang out with my family, hang…

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Jesuit Social Services 2025 Annual Dinner