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Volunteer leads garden transformation for Willmot
In recent months, the Willmot Community Hub has used the garden to gather for community breakfasts, and to run games and activities on the lawn outside children’s vaccination clinics. The Western Sydney team expect the welcoming feel will support greater community engagement as COVID-19 restrictions ease and community programs and events ramp up again.
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“When I do art, I am free.” Thuc’s story
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 family 1995. Thuc entered our MHWC program after feeling overwhelmed by her caring responsibilities for her 14-year-old son.
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School canteens feed curiosity
The Currawong Kitchen school canteen was established in 2020 to provide healthy school snacks, catering, and food hampers to families in the historically disadvantaged and under-serviced area of Mount Druitt. Two school canteens now sit alongside Jesuit Social Services’ affordable grocery stores, Ignite Food Store and Open Pantry, where the parents of school children can shop in a supportive, educational, low-cost setting. As Chandelle, who oversees Jesuit Social Services' food security programs in Western Sydney, explains "We’re different from a typical school canteen. We’re passionate about inspiring children to be curious about what they eat and encourage them to try a variety of healthy foods. We want them to develop their palates and trust their taste."
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events
Dropping off the Edge 2021 launch
Jesuit Social Services invites you to join us for the launch of Dropping off the Edge 2021, the latest edition of our research into place-based disadvantage in Australia. This will be the fifth edition of our research that has spanned more than 20 years.
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Significant failings of WA’s youth detention system require urgent reform
Read our media release responding to Four Corners' investigation into WA's youth detention system.
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Setting a better path for a teen in trouble
When a 14-year-old boy named Luke broke into Dave Hammond’s house and stole his car, he could have faced a punitive response simply designed to punish a young person for their actions with little consideration of the circumstances that led to their behaviour. But on this occasion things were different. Dave – who was previously the General Manager of Jesuit Social Services’ Western Sydney programs – and Luke both agreed to participate in a group conference, a process designed to repair harm and restore relationships rather than simply punish bad choices.