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.

NAIDOC Week: Working together for voice, treaty and truth
- 1 July 2019
NAIDOC week provides an opportunity for all Australians to join in celebrating the culture, aspirations and hopes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. It is never easy to see the world from the perspective of other people. If we are passionate about an issue, we become impatient with someone who argues a contrary…
Apostolic Preferences on the agenda at All Staff Day
- 13 June 2019
Over 200 staff and volunteers from across Victoria, News South Wales and the Northern Territory came together on Wednesday 12 June for our All Staff Day. The theme of the day was how place based approaches can be used by to inform the development and delivery of programs. Jesuit Social Services staff reflect on the…
Searching for solutions - New Zealand study tour
- 11 June 2019
Senior leaders at Jesuit Social Services recently embarked on a study trip to New Zealand to learn more about their approaches to dealing with young people and adults who have contact with the criminal justice system. CEO Julie Edwards and Executive Director – Advocacy and Strategic Communications, Cath Neville, met with Judge Andrew Becroft, Children’s…
Young people share their views on justice
- 10 June 2019
Earlier this year, a group of young people aged 15 to 25 years, all of whom had previous contact with at least one of the youth justice, adult justice and out-of-home-care systems, shared their thoughts about supporting young people at risk. The links between the child protection and justice systems are well documented, with 37…
Jesuit Social Services and Jesuit Refugee Service to jointly convene CAPSA
- 6 June 2019
Jesuit Social Services and Jesuit Refugee Service have signed an MOU to jointly convene the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA). Carolina Gottardo (Director, Jesuit Refugee Service), left, and Julie Edwards (CEO, Jesuit Social Services) sign the MOU This collaboration comes out of a mutual desire to ensure a Catholic welcome is more widely…
#WorthASecondChance campaign comes to Ballarat
- 8 April 2019
Pearl Goodwin-Burns from Highlands LLEN and DJ Caution from Jesuit Social Services’ Just Voices program. Jesuit Social Services’ #WorthASecondChance campaign went regional recently with a special Ballarat film screening, panel discussion and performance by Just Voices participant DJ Caution. The well-attended event was organized by Pearl Goodwin-Burns, Youth Advisory Board Facilitator & Project Officer with…
Xavier mothers raise funds to help young boys stay on track
- 26 March 2019
Jesuit Social Services was proud to be the Charity Partner of the Xavier Mothers’ Spring Racing Luncheon in September 2018. Principal of Xavier College, William Doherty with The Men’s Project’s Brigid Henley The annual event combined glamour with heart as more than 500 women enjoyed a day out with good friends and good food to…
Jesuit Social Services 2019 Annual Dinner
- 25 March 2019
On Saturday 16th March over 400 guests joined Jesuit Social Services for our Annual Dinner, held in the Members Dining Room at the MCG. Victoria’s Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan delivering the annual Frank Costigan QC Address Victoria’s Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People Liana Buchanan delivered the annual Frank…
CAPSA continues to influence hearts and minds
- 22 March 2019
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) continues to actively advocate and support the Catholic schools, organisations, individuals and parishes working to make a difference in the lives of people seeking asylum. Josh and Mimi from CAPSA at the Refugee Alternatives conference In February CAPSA members and supporters successfully contributed to the broader campaign…
Just Voices Speakers Program kickstarts 2019
- 6 February 2019
Jesuit Social Services’ Just Voices Speakers Program has started 2019 with an appearance by Australia’s first Indigenous female Youth Prime Minister at Xavier College. At the school’s first assembly of the year, Aretha Stewart Brown, daughter of Jesuit Social Services staff member Paulie Stewart, delivered an acknowledgement of country and talked to students about the…