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.

A Week at Willmot Community Hub: Wednesday Nutty Knitters
- 11 June 2024
The Nutty Knitters, the Hub’s weekly knitting and crocheting get-together, has woven together members of the Willmot community who are often left behind.
How conversation helped Billy reflect on harm caused.
- 11 June 2024
"It was like a wake-up call for me that I had to change, I needed to stop doing bad stuff and concentrate on my future,” said Billy*. He had taken part in Jesuit Social Services’ Youth Justice Group Conference program. The process encouraged him to take responsibility and to make amends for his offending.
A Week at Willmot Community Hub: Wednesday Paediatric Clinic
- 11 June 2024
Access to proper medical attention and care is critical for anyone’s health. For the residents of Willmot, it has made a monumental difference to the entire community. After noticing the lack of medical services available for families in the area, the Willmot Community Hub began advocating strongly to have a nurse and paediatric clinic under…
A Week at Willmot Community Hub: Monday Playgroup
- 9 June 2024
At Willmot Community Hub on Monday mornings there is a flurry of giggles, games, and growth at our weekly playgroup. From 9am to 10:30am, parents and caregivers gather with their children for a time of connection and development.
"I've been building a desk for my house, it's really cool".
- 9 June 2024
Christian* is a student at the Ignatius Learning Centre. For the first time in his life, he now looks forward to school every day. “I didn’t like any teachers at my old school, but I don’t mind some of the teachers here, so that’s good and it’s cool. They know how to approach kids, it’s…
Empowering students: The impact of volunteers at Jesuit Social Services' Homework Club
- 15 May 2024
For nearly 20 years, Jesuit Social Services has run the Flemington Homework Club, with the generous support of a team of skilled and dedicated volunteers. Hear how this support enriches the lives of our volunteers, while making a meaningful difference in the settlement experience of students and their families.
“When I do art, I am free.” Thuc's story
- 24 April 2024
Thuc Tran, a participant in Jesuit Social Services’ Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect program (MHWC), which supports the family members and carers of people with mental illness and substance use issues, is a true testament to the power of community support. Born in Vietnam, Thuc immigrated to Australia as a refugee with her…
Homework Club's annual Iftar event continues to bring the community closer
- 23 April 2024
At Kensington Town Hall in inner-city Melbourne, children as young as three gathered round a large table spilling over the edges in glitter pens, Ramadan themed colouring pages and games. Amidst the buzz of artistic chaos, Tatil, a participant of Jesuit Social Services’ Homework Club program since grade one, now in grade nine, mentioned, “the…
Making something out of nothing: from bottle tops to tools and wisdom
- 26 March 2024
Most people see discarded bottle caps from milk and soft drink bottles as rubbish. Stuart Muir Wilson, Program Coordinator at our Ecological Justice Hub, sees them as a way to reimagine climate education and climate action in schools.
Aboriginal Diversity Recruitment program graduates have ‘everything needed’ to start careers with Victoria Police
- 26 March 2024
Six graduates who ‘may never have considered’ applying for Victoria Police are a step closer to sitting and passing the Academy’s entrance exam after successfully completing the second-ever Victoria Police Aboriginal Diversity Recruitment Program.