Congratulations to all the organisations, programs and individuals that were recognised for their outstanding contributions to ending homelessness in the 2019 Victorian Homelessness Achievement Awards, presented at the Council to Homeless Persons Victorian Shaping the Future Conference from 14-15 October. Particular congratulations to our member organisations and representatives who received awards - McAuley Community Services for Women, Sacred Heart Mission and VincentCare.
 

The Corpus Christi Community Greenvale redevelopment was unveiled and blessed by Archbishop Comensoli on Wednesday 2 October. The new 90-bed aged care facility is about to become the new home for the resident at Corpus Christi Community. The redevelopment project commenced seven years ago and is a partnership between the Federal Government, Villa Maria Catholic Homes, the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and Corpus Christi Community Greenvale.

• Full time position based in Greenvale
• Great culture with fun, friendly team and supportive environment
• Excellent Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging Benefits

Rewarding opportunity for an experienced manager with a strong passion for helping others and delivering exceptional care.
 

Representatives from our member organisation, ACRATH (Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans), attended the international Talitha Kum General Assembly in Rome in September. They were part of a gathering of 86 people, almost all Catholic sisters, from 42 countries, all working to counter human trafficking.
 

Jesuit Social Services’ National Justice Symposium: Emerging adults in the justice system, was an opportunity to consider the needs of emerging adults in the justice system and discuss recent research and reforms from the United States and New Zealand.

The Office for Justice and Peace hosted a great Fairtrade Fortnight morning tea at the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne to highlight the ways we can buy products free from the taint of modern day slavery. About 24.9 million people are in forced labour worldwide - over 40 million entrapped in modern slavery overall. The Office has joined forces with ACRATH and the dioceses of Victoria and Tasmania on a long-term project to make our dioceses slavery-free.

MacKillop Family Services is piloting a volunteer mentor program in South West Victoria to connect children and young people under the age of 18 with mentors who will engage them through similar hobbies, interests or job skills. And as part of the new HEALing Matters initiative, Mackillop’s Barwon region has engaged a personal trainer to boost the fitness and activity levels of young people in care.

Victoria’s 25,000 people experiencing homelessness, including almost 400 rough sleepers in the city and inner suburbs, can access quicker, more comprehensive and more effective assistance, with the opening of VincentCare’s new Ozanam House, the single biggest investment in homelessness accommodation and support ever in Australia.