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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…
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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…
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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.
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Volunteering at Ignite Café ‘a privilege’ for Chee Ming
Chee Ming was food shopping at Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market when she stumbled on an employment-help stall staffed by Jesuit Social Services. After hearing about her interest in hospitality, Jesuit Social Services connected Chee Ming to Ignite Café, our social enterprise café where people experiencing barriers to employment and training can come to build skills and…
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New job puts Behnaz’s analytical mind to good use
Behnaz* is a qualified engineer but hadn’t secured a role in the industry since her previous role as an academic back in 2015. Originally from Iran, Behnaz came to Australia seeking asylum and has struggled to feel accepted in society. Behnaz’s JVES mentor, Gillian, says, “there seemed to be a real cultural resistance to integrating…
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JVES makes a "dream come true" for Biruk
After over 30 unsuccessful job applications and no luck with a Job Active service, Biruk* was losing hope and thought of giving up his dreams of working as an electrician. Eventually, friends recommended that he connect with Jesuit Social Services’ Jobs Victoria Employment Service program, which assisted him with his resume, job search training, and…
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Police pathway program to help Aboriginal officers serve community
Raza Rind knew from childhood he wanted to be a police officer – inspired by a police officer uncle who would share stories and tips with the then 10-year-old Yamatji boy on camping trips in Western Australia’s rural mid-west. “He would say, ‘you wear the uniform, you represent the community, not just the force’,” said…
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Trainer Tessa empowers participants to overcome self-doubt and find employment
As a Jesuit Community College trainer, Tessa has had the privilege of seeing her former students find employment in many areas including nursing, teaching, administration and the arts. The employment course supports participants to build the practical skills, mindset and confidence needed to find meaningful work.
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Accompanying people on their path to employment
Hear how our Education, Training and Employment team have navigated funding cuts to the Jobs Victoria Employment Services (JVES) program, exploring new ways to find pathways to employment for people who face significant barriers to social and economic inclusion.
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Victoria Police’s ‘most diverse squad yet’ graduates Academy
Three of Victoria Police’s newest constables have found their place in their squad thanks to the support of Jesuit Social Services’ diversity program – graduating last week as members of the Victoria Police Academy’s most culturally diverse group yet. Twenty-four Academy graduates from 10 cultural and linguistic backgrounds were sworn in before their families and…