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.

International Jesuit Prison Network connects people working with prisoners
- 19 April 2017
Image by Chris-Håvard Berge Over Jesuit Social Services’ 40 years of work, we’ve crossed paths with other Jesuit organisations and individuals who, like us, support people caught in the justice system. The idea to connect people working in Jesuit prison ministries and the broader criminal justice area prompted us to create the International Jesuit Prison…
Jesuit Social Services collaborates with St Vincent's Health Australia
- 18 April 2017
Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards is pictured here with Toby Hall, CEO of St Vincent’s Health Australia, after signing an agreement between the two organisations that will see them work collaboratively to improve the health service response to those at the margins of society. St Vincent’s Health Australia and Jesuit Social Services are proposing…
Father Arturo Sosa SJ sends 40 year anniversary message to Jesuit Social Services
- 13 April 2017
Father Arturo Sosa SJ, 31st General of the Society of Jesus, sent a video message to those gathered at our 2017 Annual Dinner. In his message, Fr Sosa congratulated and thanked Jesuit Social Services for 40 years of building hope in a suffering world. “From my own experience, I know very well that these achievements…
NAB volunteers have seriously messy fun
- 6 April 2017
For kids who have lost loved ones to suicide, playing is as important as grieving. SEZ WILKS learns how volunteers at Serious Fun, a suicide bereavement program, support primary school children to do both. Helena (far right) and co-facilitator Colin Charles (centre) with other Serious Fun volunteers When Helena stepped outside her corporate role at National Australia…
From long-term unemployed to long-term stability - National Youth Week 2017
- 4 April 2017
This week (March 31 – April 9) marks National Youth Week. Jesuit Social Services has 40 years of experience working with young people – including young people who have contact with the criminal justice system, young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and helping young people towards pathways to education, training and employment. Below…
Archie Roach and Senator Pat Dodson inspire at Jesuit Social Services' Annual Dinner
- 30 March 2017
On Saturday night (March 25) we welcomed more than 530 guests to celebrate 40 years of Jesuit Social Services at our Annual Dinner held at Melbourne’s Sofitel. The event was attended by past and present Jesuit Social Services CEOs, board members and staff members as well as donors, supporters and key stakeholders. Guests were treated…
Meet Betty, who sends salaries to our family of over 250 staff
- 23 March 2017
As Jesuit Social Services turns 40, payroll officer BETTY MUNCKTON celebrates 20 years with the organisation. SEZ WILKS discovers how she balances family with balancing numbers. “A lot of people struggle to find their niche in the world. But I never did. I always wanted to do what I’m doing: to work in an office.…
National Justice Symposium
- 22 March 2017
On 21 March 2017, Jesuit Social Services hosted a National Justice Symposium at the State Library of Victoria. The event was an opportunity for experts, academics and policymakers to gather to discuss the many and complex issues affecting youth justice around the country. Our keynote speaker was Vincent Schiraldi, Senior Research Fellow from the Harvard…
Reconnecting with parenthood after prison
- 21 March 2017
Through Jesuit Social Services’ ReConnect program, Peter found the courage to ask for help leaving prison. He spoke to SEZ WILKS about the rewards of being a dad after five years inside. As a kid, Peter* envied children who had curfews. After school he and his mates would play freely, but as dinner or sunset approached…
Singing justice: why music and youth diversion make a great mix
- 16 March 2017
Young people in our Youth Justice Group Conferencing program can record their apology to victims as a song. SEZ WILKS chats to studio producer JESSE SULLIVAN about expressing remorse and avoiding ‘tough guy’ lyrics. Jesse Sullivan from Artful Dodgers Studios If sorry is one of the hardest words to say, can singing make it simpler?…

Our stories

Jesuit Social Services 2026 Annual Dinner