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.

Refugee Week
- 15 June 2015
Refugee week is a time for looking at big pictures and little pictures. This year the big picture is bleak. The number of people who flee across land borders to escape war and persecution has grown, especially in the Middle East and in Africa. They are often escaping from religious persecution, but their flight takes…
Launch of Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA)
- 15 June 2015
The Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA) has been officially launched at the start of World Refugee Week, which runs from June 14 to 20. Backed by leading Catholic peak organisations and convened by Jesuit Social Services, CAPSA aims to change hearts and minds across Australia in support of the abolition of harsh asylum…
Workplace Inclusion Program
- 10 June 2015
Meet Dut – he’s a participant of our Workplace Inclusion Program currently working at Newman College. “It is very hard looking for work. All the time, people say they will call you and they don’t call. I worked in a factory for a year and a half in Colac, but they did not give me…
Sorry Day
- 26 May 2015
Sorry Day is a day for reflection on large issues. Particularly the often complex relationship between Indigenous Australians and those who later occupied the land. But Sorry Day also recalls specific events in the history of that relationship. The day remembers the publication of the report on the Stolen Generations on 26 May, 1997, and…
Domestic and family violence prevention month
- 26 May 2015
May is domestic and family violence prevention month. This year it comes shortly after the Victorian Government has announced a Royal Commission on Family Violence to inquire into its causes and what can be done to eradicate it. When the media focus on domestic violence, they usually demand harsher penalties for those who perpetrate it.…
Perry House makeover
- 21 May 2015
Jesuit Social Services’ Perry House has had a facelift, thanks to the generosity of two retailers. Adriatic Furniture and Adairs recently provided discounted furniture, bedding and manchester, which alongside a new paint job by Rob Thomas of Sensory Bespoke, has given a breath of fresh air to the house. “We were really pleased that Adriatic…
National Volunteer Week
- 13 May 2015
In a budget week when people’s worth will so often be judged by their success in making money and the financial contribution they make to the community, National Volunteer Week is a bright light. Volunteer Week reminds us that the best of Australians do not expect to be paid money for all the benefit they…
Vale Geoff King SJ
- 11 May 2015
Fr Geoff King, SJ, 8/6/1943 – 7/5/2015 Fr Geoff King SJ, who died on Thursday 6 May, was a great friend of Jesuit Social Services, having served on our Board (1998-2007) and Committees. As a Canon Lawyer he was always a source of reliable and compassionate advice on issues of moral theology and on the…
Here and now
- 1 May 2015
Participants who attend the English Language Support program for asylum seekers in Sunshine and the Language for Life English classes in St Albans, attended an art workshop run by artist Trudy Cook on Monday 27th April at the our Artful Dodgers Studio. Participants helped to produce a collective artwork that will be displayed at the…
Vigil to stand in solidarity
- 27 April 2015
Please join us in a candlelight vigil for Andrew Chan, Myuran Sukumaran and their companions awaiting execution in Indonesia. On Tuesday 28th April, the vigil will be held from 8am to 9am at St Ignatius Church Richmond (as it has been every day since 6th March) and will then recommence at 8pm in the evening,…