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.

St Ignatius of Loyola (Feast Day: 31 July)
- 30 July 2015
The early life of St Ignatius might remind older readers of the hippie 1960s. Certainly many observers of his own day looked on Ignatius with the suspicion with which people regarded the children of the 60s. Ignatius was brought up in a proud family who had great expectations for him and for his brilliant career.…
Just Leadership breakfast
- 24 July 2015
Held in Sydney in partnership with the Old Ignatians' Union, the latest Just Leadership breakfast featured Michael Coutts-Trotter as guest speaker. Michael is a prominent Saint Ignatius' College Riverview old boy, who currently heads the NSW Department of Family and Community Services (FACS). His past roles in leadership included the Director-General of the NSW Department…
Reverberate
- 23 July 2015
Artful Dodgers Studios, a program of Jesuit Social Services, is raising funds to support the production and release of 'Reverberate', a compilation CD of songs by young musicians from the music program. The Artful Dodgers Studio works with marginalised young people who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. 'Reverberate' will aim to provide the young participants…
Dropping off the Edge 2015 launch
- 21 July 2015
We're pleased to join with Catholic Social Services Australia to launch Dropping off the Edge 2015. Dropping off the Edge 2015 shows clearly that complex and entrenched disadvantage is experienced by a small but persistent number of locations in each state and territory across Australia. Read more here. More information to come. Resources: Dropping off…
Pope's jail visit
- 17 July 2015
Pope Francis has made a point of visiting prisons and speaking with the people held in them. He still keeps in touch with his friends in a Buenos Aires jail. His concern for prisoners has endeared him to us at Jesuit Social Services. He has also taught us much as we accompany people in the…
Eid celebrations
- 17 July 2015
Times of fasting are communal events. So they usually have a beginning, and also an end when we change from fasting to feasting. Lent is preceded by Pancake Tuesday and finishes at Easter. The Muslim fast of Ramadan finishes with Eid, also a time for eating and celebrating together. Both fast and feast are celebrated…
An insight into Aboriginal culture
- 16 July 2015
Jesuit Social Services' management staff participated in an informative Aboriginal cultural awareness training program recently. The workshop, presented by Kellawan trainers Kelly, Wanda and Sean, covered topics including culture, history and contemporary challenges. Kelly and Wanda spoke about Aboriginal history since 1788, context of cultural rules, the importance of community and identity, relationships between nations,…
Overcrowding in prisons the backdrop to riots: Jesuit Social Services
- 7 July 2015
Severe overcrowding in Victoria’s prisons has created the kind of pressure cooker conditions in which riots are more likely, and should be considered as a contributing factor in any investigation of the Ravenhall riot, according to Jesuit Social Services. “We know from a series of reports and our own experience working with people in prisons…
NAIDOC week
- 6 July 2015
NAIDOC originally stood for 'National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee'. Many years ago Indigenous Australians recognised that they needed a day of the own to celebrate distinctive aspects of their own culture that Australia Day could not include. The Committee names the theme of the day each year. The theme of NAIDOC week in…
Welcoming visitors
- 3 July 2015
Jesuit Social Services recently welcomed visiting Jesuit communications delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region. The delegates visited Melbourne for an annual three-day meeting. During the delegates' visit, we were proud to introduce them to our work. The group met with our communications and policy teams to learn about our advocacy and communications work, and…