Our stories

Building a just society means elevating everyone by supporting all people to reach their full potential. Every success story is crucial because none of us can flourish, until we all do.

Healing through dialogue: Callum’s path to making amends
- 29 October 2024
Participating in a Youth Justice Group Conference gave Callum the chance to apologise in person to the people he harmed, talk about things from his perspective, and then listen to the impact of his offending. Callum came out of the group conference with an agreed outcome plan, making commitments to enrol at a TAFE, avoid anti-social…
"My career is head work and volunteer work is heart work" - how Lucy's volunteer role is helping young people to thrive
- 20 August 2024
With two decades of volunteering experience under her belt, Lucy Losinno was looking for a new way to help in 2020 when she came across the Community Connections Mentoring program, and decided to give Jesuit Social Services a call. Hear how her support is helping her participant to "live her dream."
The Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre's new garden is demonstrating the importance of connecting with place, with people, and with self
- 22 July 2024
"Even in the depths of winter, here, we are surrounded by flowers," says Stuart Muir Wilson, employee of Jesuit Social Services who has spent the last year cultivating a therapeutic garden space for our new Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre in Sunshine, Victoria.
“It just didn't feel like a regular hospitality business, it was something more special.” A final farewell to our beloved Ignite café
- 9 July 2024
“It just didn't feel like a regular hospitality business, it was something more special.” This was the sentiment echoed by employees and customers alike as we recently farewelled our social enterprise Ignite café program in Camberwell, Victoria. Ignite café supported people facing barriers to work or training to build both skills and meaningful connections, helping…
A Week at Willmot Community Hub: Thursday Men's Group
- 12 June 2024
Willmot Community Hub's Thursday Men’s Group is a space for men of all ages to come together over breakfast, coffee, or a game of cards. “These simple interactions and connections with people have helped quiet, insular people become really engaged.
A Week at Willmot Community Hub: Tuesday Community Breakfast
- 12 June 2024
The scent of eggs, bacon and fresh bread from the local market is only half of what keeps the 70 to 100 attendees of Willmot Community Hub’s community breakfast coming back each week. It’s also a place for people to connect with one another and ask for support.
Growing skills and relationships in the garden.
- 12 June 2024
“I have grown as a person over the last 15 months, and I know doing this has helped me gain a lot of knowledge, not just about gardening but about myself,” says Jim*. Jesuit Community College, in partnership with the Department of Justice and Community Safety, runs the program to support men who are in…
A Week at Willmot Community Hub: Friday Parenting Course
- 12 June 2024
At the Willmot Community Hub, Friday is a crucial point in the week. Parents come together for a parenting course that’s more than just a class—it’s a vital support.
A Week at Willmot Community Hub: Wednesday Nutty Knitters
- 11 June 2024
The Nutty Knitters, the Hub’s weekly knitting and crocheting get-together, has woven together members of the Willmot community who are often left behind.
How conversation helped Billy reflect on harm caused.
- 11 June 2024
"It was like a wake-up call for me that I had to change, I needed to stop doing bad stuff and concentrate on my future,” said Billy*. He had taken part in Jesuit Social Services’ Youth Justice Group Conference program. The process encouraged him to take responsibility and to make amends for his offending.