Member organisation VMCH has announced the green light for a new affordable homes development. VMCH Board Chairman Julien O’Connell AO made the announcement on August 6, during Homelessness Week 2020, indicating that the organisation would build 40 new affordable homes in Ivanhoe, with work expected to commence early next year. 

Congratulations to our member organisation St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria who has been certified carbon neutral under the Climate Active initiative, underpinned by the Australian government. This is a significant achievement that sets Vinnies Victoria apart as the first social welfare charity in Australia to achieve the certification. Find out how Vinnies Victoria did this by joining an online Zoom conversation on Thursday 13th August, 12:30pm-1:10pm.

Recent times have demonstrated the importance of having a safe and comfortable home. Member organisation, VMCH, is proud to unveil its newest Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) in Carrum. Five adults moved from its Highett SDA into the two connected, three-bedroom houses on July 6 and are busy making their new spaces home.

The head office of MacKillop Family Services is one of the oldest orphanages in Australia. Being of such historical significance, it’ll be ‘opened up’ to the public virtually as part of the Open House Melbourne weekend on 25-26 July. An interactive map and tour will showcase elements of the building and give insight into the social history from the mid-1800s. There’ll also be two live Q&As. Join the Facebook event and skip the queues to take part in the online Open House tour, here. 

July 4 was International Young Vincentians Day, which saw the Vinnies Community, particularly the younger members, celebrating the theme, 'Young Vincentians sharing hope and charity'. As Arnhie, President of Casey Young Vinnies explained, "Young volunteers are an integral part of Vinnies. After all, St Vincent de Paul was started by Fredrick Ozanam, who was just a 20-year old university student in 1800s Paris, along with 6 of his best friends!"

One of McAuley Community Services for Women's amazing volunteers, Wendy Catling, is holding an exhibition of her photography starting July 10 with proceeds supporting the work of McAuley. Wendy's exhibition is the culmination of 18 months research into the personal history archives of her parents and makes links with domestic violence as a national trauma. Given COVID restrictions, you can view this work, and learn more about it, via the exhibition website.

Carmel Phillips, Executive Manager of the John Pierce Centre (JPC) has provided a July 2020 update for the community, which outlines closures due to COVID, and a number of online faith, prayer and reflection video resources. “It continues to be a challenging time for everyone and we hope you are looking after yourselves, families and each other. There are concerns around the spiking of coronavirus around Victoria," Carmel says. 

Wellsprings for Women is excited to announce that a wall that lines the front perimeter of its property in Dandenong now features a beautiful mural created by Melbourne artist Leila Ashtiani who came to Australia as an Iranian refugee in 2013. The mural starts with a depiction of a shining lantern, symbolising the courage and devotion of Nano Nagle who founded the Presentation sisters. The sisters’ mission was to reach out to the most disadvantaged communities to provide education as a way out of poverty.

Research into disasters suggests that people are at greater risk of experiencing family violence during periods of crisis, such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. With this in mind, member organisation Good Samaritan Inn, which provides short-term accommodation for women and children escaping family violence and homelessness, has launched its 2020 Winter Appeal.