Discover what's happening around Jesuit Social Services. No images? Click here ![]() Following on from our CEO Julie Edwards’ NAIDOC Week conversation with Jesuit Social Services Board Member Inala Cooper, Acting CEO Sally Parnell sent an email to all staff about three NAIDOC sessions that UNSW has held about the three elements of the Uluru Statement of the Heart. Read more here. Sally also shared an invitation from the Youth Support and Advocacy Service (YSAS) to its online 'Festival of Ideas', which is happening now until 16 November. The YSAS Festival of Ideas is an opportunity to connect, share and promote innovation and thought-provoking ideas amongst the YSAS workforce and other members of the Victorian and Interstate youth sector. Read Sally's full email here and view the Festival schedule here. Last week, Julie Edwards shared a video connecting with all staff where she congratulates Victoria for achieving zero daily cases and beginning the process of opening up. She also gives updates on recent developments on Brosnan Learning Centre and the Place-Based Centre. Watch the full video here. Julie followed up her video with a more detailed email regarding the appointment of the Place-Based Centre's Executive Director, Susie Moloney. Read Julie's full email here. ![]() ![]() In Conversation with Inala CooperCEO Julie Edwards held a lunchtime conversation with Jesuit Social Services Board member Inala Cooper to mark NAIDOC Week (November 8-15). Inala is a Yawuru woman from Broome in Western Australia, who has lived on the land of the Kulin Nations in Melbourne for the last 25 years. She has a Masters in Human Rights Law, is currently Director of Murrup Barak, Melbourne Institute for Indigenous Development at University of Melbourne, and is an advocate for Indigenous rights and social justice. The engaging conversation and Q&A was attended remotely by more than 90 staff members. Inala discussed topics including her upbringing, racism in Australia, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the importance of organisations such as Jesuit Social Services having Reconciliation Action Plans and how Australia can build on the Black Lives Matter movement to better support and advocate for First Nations people. The event was the first in a series of conversations over the coming months with Indigenous Australians whom Jesuit Social Services has connections with. Invitations to future events will be emailed to staff when details are confirmed. ![]() ![]() Housing and Complex Needs update - Dillon and Perry HouseDillon House and Perry House are both small residential facilities for young adults in contact with the justice system. They offer a safe and welcoming home where participants are supported to develop independent living skills including cooking, meal planning, shopping, cleaning and budgeting. Due to COVID-19, there were concerns about the team’s capacity to safely maintain two residential properties at full capacity. The decision was made to move the residents of Dillon House into Perry House to live as one household during lockdown. This was done in an effort to:
In April, following a period of intense planning and risk assessments, the houses were combined. There were concerns as to how the residents would cope with such extensive change, particularly when they were simultaneously required to adapt to lockdown restrictions. Some initial disturbances occurred at the house as residents settled into new routines, new relationships and, for some, a new home. But then some really positive outcomes began to emerge. As relationships formed, residents began to come out of their rooms more often to use the social spaces that were available to them. New friendships began to form between residents, and strong working relationships began to emerge with staff. Residents were beginning to enjoy their new environment, and the social connections they were forming, and it was having some positive impacts on their mental health and wellbeing. Now that Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions are easing, the young people have all returned to their pre-lockdown homes but there are plans in place to nurture and encourage the newfound friendships formed during the shared living experience. We hope that the relationships formed can continue to flourish and the benefits on the resident’s wellbeing can continue to be enjoyed. In the meantime, the young people living in Dillon House and Perry House are able to move around their communities more safely once again, helping to improve mental health and wellbeing, to reinstate important social connections and to access more recreational and pro-social activities. ![]() ![]() Dads Making a Difference - online eventDr. Michael Flood, co-author of our ‘The Man Box’ and ‘Unpacking the Man Box’ reports, and Paul Zappa, our GM - Primary Prevention and Community Engagement, are speaking at ‘Dads Making a Difference’, an online event hosted by Boroondara Council. Date: Wednesday 9 December Time: 7:00pm - 8:15pm ![]() ![]() Upcoming #WorthASecondChance Webinar: Reengaging Disengaged StudentsAfter its first webinar attracted 300 educators, principals and social workers, the #WorthASecondChance Campaign is back with another free webinar and this one's already got over 400 folks registered! Reengaging Disengaged Students is for educators who want to learn from experts in behaviour management and non-punitive approaches to holding young people accountable. There will be a focus on the school setting however professionals working with youth in other areas will also benefit from this webinar. ![]() ![]() Support After Suicide podcast is Australian Podcast Awards FinalistLast year, our Support After Suicide program produced the podcast ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ in collaboration with JOY 94.9 FM. The podcast has been named as a finalist in the Best Wellbeing Podcast category at the Australian Podcast Awards. The winners will be announced on Saturday 21st November at 7:30pm in a live stream available at australianpodcastawards.com. ![]() ![]() Our Ignite Food Store in Western Sydney is a recipient of a food drive to mark World Day of the Poor. Read more at Catholic Outlook. We have joined a coalition of climate, union, community and business groups alongside the University of Sydney to produce new report The Real Deal, which outlines an agenda for a genuine deal between the market, state and civil society that works for people and the environment. Read more at The Fifth State. Like what you've read? |