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Alliance key to climate justice in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is on the frontline of intensifying heat, extreme weather events, and rising sea levels. Remote communities and homelands across the Territory are particularly at risk of these impacts with many Aboriginal communities already facing food insecurity, a lack of safe drinking water and access to reliable, affordable electricity. The Climate Justice Alliance, established in the Territory in 2021, strives towards a just transition - one that focuses on adapting to the impacts of climate change, and on the alternative economic futures needed to ensure justice for people and planet.
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Neighbourhood houses building climate resilience and community connections
In the city of Darebin, nestled in the inner north of Melbourne, there are many community members who experience multiple forms of disadvantage and are vulnerable to the impacts of heat. As extreme weather events become more frequent, the Centre for Just Places is working closely with communities like Darebin, to build climate resilience. The Centre empowers them to cope with the impacts of climate change and to continue thriving as connected, vibrant communities.
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School canteens feed curiosity
The Currawong Kitchen school canteen was established in 2020 to provide healthy school snacks, catering, and food hampers to families in the historically disadvantaged and under-serviced area of Mount Druitt. Two school canteens now sit alongside Jesuit Social Services’ affordable grocery stores, Ignite Food Store and Open Pantry, where the parents of school children can shop in a supportive, educational, low-cost setting. As Chandelle, who oversees Jesuit Social Services' food security programs in Western Sydney, explains "We’re different from a typical school canteen. We’re passionate about inspiring children to be curious about what they eat and encourage them to try a variety of healthy foods. We want them to develop their palates and trust their taste."
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Sharing our vision with Jesuit leaders
In January, Jesuit Social Services was honoured to host special visitors from the global Jesuit community. Fr Arturo Sosa SJ is the Father-General of the Society of Jesus, the global leader of the Jesuit Order. When he visited Australia for the first time, we were delighted that he made time to visit our Richmond office. This is the first time a Father-General has visited Jesuit Social Services.
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More than 200 people gathered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 1st for Jesuit Social Services’ Annual Dinner. The event has traditionally sought to deliver a thought-providing keynote on important social justice issues, give attendees a chance to network and mingle, while raising funds for the organisation’s work. But this year, fundraising took a back seat in favour of more time to connect and build relationships.
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School work that’s out of the box
Ignatius Learning Centre students wrap their hands before boxing class. Teacher Nick Porter describes this as a “beautiful moment”. “It is a calming place – a time to clear their heads and set goals for the session.“
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Connecting with someone who gets what it’s like
“When I was bereaved by suicide, I was not just grieving the loss of a friend but grieving for all LGBTQIA+ people who face a transphobic and homophobic world each day,” says Immy Money, Project Officer at our new Support After Suicide Hub (SASH). “I was realising just how many in our community are suicide bereaved.”
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Helping Donna and Shayne make ‘a contribution beyond our caring’
Donna and Shayne’s fulltime role as carers to Jasmine saw them nominated for the lived experience reference group for Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect – our recently launched resource and support hub for carers of those experiencing mental health or substance misuse issues. Donna and Shayne’s 23-year-old daughter, Jasmine, has autism and associated mental health and mood problems – frequently experiencing anxiety, particularly when life lacks structure and order.
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Nine Yarra neighbourhood houses join forces to strengthen local climate resilience
Nine Yarra neighbourhood houses gathered this week to launch a plan to reduce their environmental footprint and support the local community to adapt to climate change.