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.
 

Catholic Social Services Victoria held its annual 2019 Anti-Poverty Week Lunchtime Conversation on Tuesday 15 October at the Cardinal Knox Centre, East Melbourne. The Conversation this year was facilitated by Dr Nick Halfpenny, Director of Policy and Research at MacKillop Family Services. Following the Lunchtime Conversation, people stayed on for the Ecumenical Prayer Service conducted by CSSV in collaboration with the Social Questions Commission of the Victorian Council of Churches.

As Mental Health 2019 drew to a close, Catholic Social Services Victoria was pleased to support the parish community of St Pius X West Heidelberg in hosting an inter-faith prayer service in their church on Friday 11 October. Thirty-five people gathered to spend a prayerful hour in song, reflection and prayer to stand in solidarity and respect for the good mental health of all, but particularly to hold gently those among us who suffer from various forms of mental illness.

Our next event in our Emerging Leaders Network will engage participants in dialogue with social enterprise entrepreneur James Murphy. This event will be the morning of Tuesday 12 November 2019 at
Square & Compass Café, East Melbourne.

 

Our August newsletter is full of the latest news in Catholic social services Victoria, and also features a large number of upcoming events, both from us and our members, such as Jesuit Social Services, MacKillop Family Services, McAuley Community Services for Women, CatholicCare, ACRATH and Wellsprings for Women, to name a few. Get all of the latest news and events info, here. 

A just and compassionate society requires that anyone needing mental health treatment and support, regardless of their life circumstances, can get the level of help they need when and where they need it.  

Our July 2019 update highlights the many ways in which our Catholic parishes are engaging in practical ways to overcome homelessness, with a series of practical forums having taken place already, and more scheduled in coming months.They're also actively engaged in assisting refugees and asylum seekers and in deepening their understanding of domestic violence and how to prevent it. We hope our parish communities will be inspired by the news featured in this July update, and that they'll join us in the upcoming events. Download update here.

Sixty-five people from parishes across the Diocese of Sandhurst gathered at St Brendan’s parish centre in Shepparton to discuss and share ideas about what could be done to alleviate homelessness in the region. The forum, auspiced by CatholicCare Sandhurst, Catholic Social Services Victoria, and the diocese of Sandhurst, resulted in each participating parish adopting a plan to deepen their contribution to addressing homelessness and the shortage of affordable housing.

Our May newsletter is out now. It includes an array of news and information, including the call from Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference for a fair go for low-wage income earners, and an analysis of the federal election result in light of our work with Catholic Social Services Australia in being a voice for those on the margins. There is also a long list of events to mark in the diary, including our annual Catholic Social Services dinner on Friday 30 August. On 8 June we're hosting a housing and homelessness forum for parishes to enable parish communities to practically assist those in need. Get all of the latest news, here.