Hello, and welcome to another edition of Just News. This edition begins with an important update about COVID-19 vaccination requirements from CEO Julie Edwards.

On 29 September Julie wrote to staff outlining that vaccination would be a mandatory requirement for certain staff members, in line with government mandates, as an essential measure to protect the health and safety of staff, participants and students. Following Victorian Government advice on 1 October, Julie confirmed a mandatory vaccination requirement for staff in Victoria who are Authorised Workers. Victorian staff who are Authorised Workers have been contacted directly.​ Guidelines for all other staff are outlined in the COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination Policy, which can be found on Gemba.

Under that policy, staff have access to reasonable paid leave to become vaccinated. Staff can provide feedback on the new guidelines to their General Manager and raise any other questions with their managers. 

Jesuit Community College celebrates 10 years

In 2021 Jesuit Community College celebrates 10 years of supporting students to participate in their communities through opportunities for training and employment. Trainer Astrida Pepe has worked at the College for almost that whole decade, and has seen its impact on participants time and and time again. 

"Many of the people who come to us have been really hard done by – emotionally, socially and in education. They have low self-worth. We build relationships based on each person’s strengths and then help them develop skills that reinforce these strengths.”

From 130 students in its first year, to more than 2000 enrolled in 2021, Jesuit Community College continues to grow, to help more people reach their full potential — including students like Darcy, pictured above.

Watch the CAPSA webinar: Action for Afghanistan 

On Tuesday 28 September we hosted a webinar as part of the National Week of Prayer and Action, held each year by the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum (CAPSA).

The week engages the Catholic community to stand in solitary with people seeking asylum. This year, we called on the CAPSA community to take action in response to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, with the webinar A Call to Prayer and Action for Afghanistan. The webinar featured expert speakers, including leaders from the Afghan community in Australia, and was attended by 209 people.

We are pleased to make available the full recording of the hour-long webinar, which you can watch on Jesuit Social Services' YouTube channel here.

Attendees were asked to do three things to take Action for Afghanistan, which you can take right now:

1. Sign the Action for Afghanistan petition, calling on Australia to expand the humanitarian intake for Afghan refugees.
2. Email your MP with a pre-filled letter calling for action to reunite families and keep people safe.
3. Post on social media using CAPSA's suggested text to raise awareness of this humanitarian crisis. 

"I thought each of the speakers was excellent and presented very clear perspectives and viewpoints. Each was engaging and had practical actions that could be followed." 

— Webinar attendee 

Helping students get their lives back on track

After almost two decades teaching at Melbourne’s Xavier College, Bernie Brysha decided it was time for a change. So last year, he joined the team (pictured above) at our Ignatius Learning Centre — a therapeutic school environment for young people in contact with the youth justice system, which opened in early 2021.

“I have always had an interest in teaching students who experience barriers and challenges, and ultimately I don’t think young people in trouble are dealt with well. By locking up young people, we aren’t addressing the root causes of their problems or helping them to rehabilitate,” says Bernie.

The school offers the tailored, flexible support students need to re-engage with their learning, and offers practical subjects including literacy and hospitality skills. Students graduate with a nationally recognised senior secondary certificate of education.

Anti-Poverty Week starts this Sunday, 17 October

Jesuit Social Services is a proud supporter of the annual Anti-Poverty Week, which takes place this year from 17 to 23 October. This year's campaign reminds governments that higher income support and stronger investment in social housing can help lift people out of poverty, and encourages people to take action.

Learn more about the week and its support of the Raise the Rate for Good and Everybody's Home campaigns, to boost both welfare rates and social housing stocks.

Jesuit Social Services' policy team has made several submissions to government inquiries on the topics of welfare and social housing this year, including our submission to the Victorian Government's affordable housing strategy and the federal inquiry into insecure work. This work helps influence systemic change to improve circumstances for the most vulnerable members of our community.

Ted Ferreras, from our The Men's Project, was interviewed by the Australian Financial Review about his experience finding work in Australia as a migrant. The article is behind a paywall, but you can read Ted's quotes and a short summary here.

CEO Julie Edwards had a letter published in the Herald Sun, arguing for a more effective youth justice system that better supports children and young people in trouble. Read her letter.

COVID-19 has spread through prisons in Victoria and New South Wales — which could have catastrophic consequences for the often-vulnerable people incarcerated in crowded environments, as well as for prison staff. Read our media releases calling for urgent government intervention in Victoria and New South Wales.

Jesuit Social Services was proud to join the Community Sector Climate Change Advocacy Week between 4 and 8 October, calling for fast, fair, and inclusive action on climate change. Pro Bono News mentioned Susie Maloney from our Centre for Just Places, speaking about the Centre's research into extreme heat as a consequence of global warning and its effect on communities living in public housing.

Like what you've read?