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 passion for making a difference
- 20 October 2017
Dr Mark Ellis AM talks to Vanessa Ientile about what motivates him to support Jesuit Social Services as a Community Partner. I come from a middle-class background and live in a comfortable suburb of Melbourne with my wife Janet. We both come from close-knit Mark Ellis AM, Community Partner families and we are very lucky…
Learning language and life skills
- 8 August 2017
Jesuit Social Services’ English Language Support Program assists participants with English language skills and gives them a greater understanding of life in Australia, KATHRYN KERNOHAN. Participant Fariba (left) and program volunteer Anna Wright-Smith (right) Settling in a new country can be daunting, particularly when you are not fluent in the language or familiar with local customs.…
Volunteering has a long lasting impact
- 8 August 2017
Volunteer Stephanie Papazoglou talks to KATHRYN KERNOHAN about her rewarding experience tutoring at Homework Club. Homework Club volunteer Stephanie Papazoglu For more than a decade, children from African communities from around the Flemington area who need some extra assistance with their school work have benefited from Jesuit Social Services’ Homework Club. According to volunteer tutor Stephanie…
Overcoming adversity to thrive
- 8 August 2017
Jefry Yikwa has experienced significant adversity on his journey to Australia. He talks to KATHRYN KERNOHAN about the importance of feeling part of a community and his work with Jesuit Social Services’ Speakers Program. Jefry from the Speakers Program The pathway to Jefry Yikwa’s life in Australia was full of challenges. The West Papuan refugee…
How Sinke catalysed her corporate career through the African-Australian Inclusion Program
- 15 June 2017
The single largest barrier to employment for migrants and refugees in Australia is the lack of opportunity and quality work experience. The African-Australian Inclusion Program (AAIP) breaks down this barrier by providing six months of paid work, mentoring and career coaching to qualified African-Australians. Run in partnership between Jesuit Social Services and National Australia Bank…
Language support for Myanmar/Burmese seniors’ group in Sunshine
- 17 May 2017
Settlement Program staff and Burmese participants at a group excursion to Sunshine Library. Over March and April 2017 the Language for Life program provided 15 seniors from the Burmese/Myanmar community the opportunity to develop new skills and improve their English. The eight-week program was conducted in partnership between Jesuit Social Services’ Settlement Program, Foundation House…
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…
Trivia night supports Homework Club
- 20 October 2016
More than $8,000 was raised recently for Jesuit Social Services’ Homework Club via an annual trivia night held by QMV Super Solutions. Business Solutions Consultant David Mehmed says the organization is proud to support such a worthy cause. “Education is easily the most important thing anybody can receive and should always be treated as a…
CAPSA's open letter to Australia's political leaders
- 22 June 2016
Open letter to The Hon. Malcolm Turnbull & The Hon. Peter Dutton, The Hon. Bill Shorten & The Hon. Richard Marles, Senator Richard Di Natale & Senator Sarah Hanson Young In a recent statement, A Vote For The Voiceless: a statement by the Catholic Bishops of Australia on the election, the Catholic Bishops of…
CAPSA helps students meet the candidates
- 2 June 2016
In the lead up to the Federal election, students from Parade College (Bundoora and Preston) as well as Santa Maria College (Northcote) met local candidates to discuss their views on policies surrounding people seeking asylum. A group of 25 students from across both schools met with Australian Labor Party candidate and current Member for Batman, David Feeney,…

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