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.

National Volunteer Week messages show benefits to organisations and volunteers
- 8 May 2017
Trudy, a volunteer with our English Language Support program, says volunteering is a source of connection and “lasting relationship”. To mark the start of National Volunteer Week (8–14 May 2017), Jesuit Social Services CEO, Julie Edwards, has sent a message to the 260+ volunteers who help us build a just society. “This week we celebrate…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Great Australians Gala Dinner 2016
- 12 December 2016
Jesuit Social Services was proud and grateful to be the charity partner for the third Great Australians Gala Dinner, held at Melbourne’s Grand Hyatt on 15 October 2016. The event, which raised money for our mental health work, was attended by dozens of Great Australians including famous faces from the worlds of entertainment, sport and…