-
article
World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2023
Avoiding death and danger isn’t enough to live a life that’s truly free, writes Andy Hamilton SJ to mark this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees.
-
page
Our purpose and Strategic Plan
The work of Jesuit Social Services is informed by Catholic Social Teaching and our Jesuit tradition of respecting the preciousness of each human being, walking with the disregarded, and caring for the earth. Our Vision Building a just society. Our Mission Standing in solidarity with those in need, expressing a faith that promotes…
-
article
Federal Budget includes youth employment initiatives, but will not address disadvantage
New measures to support vulnerable young people into employment outlined in this week’s Federal Budget are welcome, but a lack of an overarching strategy to tackle poverty and disadvantage will do little to assist vulnerable people, says Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards. “We are pleased that new initiatives in the Youth Employment Strategy will…
-
article
Prison spending increased $461.9 million in four years; equivalent to budget of 96 schools
The Victorian state government has inherited a costly and ineffective criminal justice system in serious need of significant reform, according to Jesuit Social Services CEO Julie Edwards. Today’s State Budget revealed that an additional $156.0 million will be spent on the criminal justice system over the next year, making it the fifth successive budget to…
-
article
Anti Poverty Week (October 11-14)
The symbol of anti-poverty week to which we are accustomed has come to be the gathering of CEO’s of large companies sleeping out for a night. It is an encouraging image of a concern by people whom life has privileged for those who are disadvantaged. It also speaks powerfully of our common humanity. This year…
-
article
Jesuit Social Services together with over 230 organisations and community groups across Australia signed a joint statement calling for action to end the detention of children, once and for all. The statement urged the Australian Parliament to introduce legislation to prevent children from being held in closed immigration detention in the future and to take…
-
article
Focus on vulnerable people crucial to Victoria’s 10-year mental health plan
Jesuit Social Services welcomes the Victorian Government’s 10-year Mental Health Plan, and in particular its commitment to ensure all Victorians can achieve “good mental health… particularly those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable”. “We agree with the Victorian Government that the state’s current mental health system is struggling to adequately meet the needs of vulnerable Victorians,”…
-
article
Returning to learning: re-engaging disadvantaged learners in education and training
Every year 10,000 Victorian students disengage from the education system. We know that people who drop out of school often experience multiple and complex disadvantage with an increased risk of involvement in the justice system, involvement with child protection, poor health, being unemployed, being homeless and having mental health issues. Re-engaging vulnerable learners in education…