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.

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,…
Cheque book solution on asylum is unconstitutional
- 27 April 2016
Jesuit Social Services’ National Director of Human Rights and Social Justice, Frank Brennan SJ, has written a powerful comment piece that explores the legalities of Australia’s offshore processing system of people seeking asylum. The piece follows yesterday’s ruling by Papua New Guinea’s Supreme Court that Australia’s use of Manus Island to indefinitely detain people seeking…
International Migrants Day (December 18)
- 18 December 2015
International Migrants Day usually comes as a placid reminder of the contributions that immigrants make to our national life. It merges easily into the Christmas celebrations with their emphasis on universal good will and peace. This year, however, the celebration of migrants has a touch of defiance. In Europe political parties that oppose immigration have…
Time to end the Pacific Solution
- 5 October 2015
Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO, Jesuit Social Services board member, has called on Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull to close Australia’s offshore detention facilities. Addressing the Melaleuca Refugee Centre in Darwin on 29 September, Brennan said there is no longer an excuse for “maintaining the chamber of horrors” that is the Pacific solution at Nauru and…
PM's refugee intake announcement
- 10 September 2015
[written by Andy Hamilton SJ for Eureka Street] The Prime Minister’s announcement that Australia will accept 12,000 refugees from Syria, in addition to the capped intake, deserves an unqualified welcome. It is a generous decision and a welcome demonstration of leadership. For those of us who are concerned with people who seek protection from persecution…