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.

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?…
Group Conferencing gets smart on crime
- 16 March 2017
Group Conferencing is proven to reduce reoffending by young people. KATHRYN KERNOHAN spoke to conference convenor Christy Hughes about how it benefits both offenders and victims of crime. Group Conferencing participant Taree was grateful for the opportunity of a second chance. Before she had contact with the youth justice system, Taree (not her real…
New photo exhibition captures Brimbank’s diversity
- 23 February 2017
The Diversity Through The Lens photography project promotes cross-cultural exchange in Melbourne’s west. SEZ WILKS stopped by a workshop to preview new work by Brimbank’s community photographers. Tadros and Boman, Diversity Through The Lens participants What do diversity and harmony look like? The question is front of mind for 12 Brimbank residents who are using…
Meet Jorge, community development manager at our Alice Springs office
- 23 February 2017
Since 2008, staff like JORGE BASAVE in our Northern Territory Program have worked alongside Aboriginal communities to build their capacity for self-determination. JORGE tells SEZ WILKS about the realities of working in remote Australia – and how much he loves driving in the desert. Image credit: Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific “I’m inspired by people who choose…
Vale Professor Tony Vinson (1935–2017)
- 20 February 2017
Jesuit Social Services is mourning the passing of Professor Tony Vinson. Professor Vinson was a dear friend of Jesuit Social Services and we are grateful for his generous contribution to our work over so many years. Professor Vinson was an Emeritus Professor at the University of New South Wales and an Honorary Professor in the…
Thanksgiving celebration for 40 years of Jesuit Social Services
- 9 February 2017
Jesuit Social Services kicked off its 40 year celebrations last week with an anniversary Mass at St Ignatius Church, Richmond. Around 100 people attended the Mass, including former Jesuit Provincials, Patrick O’Sullivan SJ who authorised the founding of Jesuit Social Services, Bill Uren SJ and Steve Curtin SJ, former Jesuit Social Services CEO Bernie Geary,…
Talking to all kinds of people: Martin is a counsellor with Support After Suicide
- 2 February 2017
When MARTIN RYAN was given a social work placement at Jesuit Social Services in 1978, he never imagined he’d be back in 2009. Now a counsellor with our Support After Suicide program, MARTIN chats to SEZ WILKS about a career spent helping others. “When I dropped out of school in year 12, I suddenly had…
Statement regarding Bourke Street tragedy
- 24 January 2017
All of us at Jesuit Social Services share the grief of the people whose relatives and friends died and were injured in the terrible incident in Bourke Street, Melbourne on Friday, January 20. We also offer our sympathy to all those directly affected by it: those injured, bystanders, workers, police and medical staff. The brutal…
Giving gratefully: Chantelle donates to help people affected by suicide
- 3 January 2017
Image credit: Pexels When Chantelle Bazerghi decided to become a monthly donor to our Support After Suicide program, helping other people learn about the service was front of mind. “Support After Suicide is a totally specialised service – it’s completely unique, and I hope that more people can access it.” Specialist suicide prevention services Since…
Artful Dodgers Studios is a place of possibility
- 3 January 2017
Our Artful Dodgers Studios program offers young people creativity and connection. Emerging artist Kris chats to SEZ WILKS about finding social support in the studio environment. Kris says Artful Dodgers Studios is “a place to you can go to be yourself”. Image credit: Fiona Basile When Kris came to Artful Dodgers Studios in 2014, she…