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25.01.2022 Refugees and people seeking asylum have been locked up in detention by Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton for far too long. Right now, over 1400 men, women and children are being detained by the government, some for up to 10 years. Whilst lock-down restriction are easing for us and for over 1,400 people their future is still uncertain. We are calling for the government to release all refugees and people seeking asylum from detention. Join an online rally tomorrow to hear directl...y from the people inside these detention facilities and who have experienced offshore detention, and learn what WE can do to help secure their freedom. More information: https://www.facebook.com/events/948730442206734/

25.01.2022 Our Brunswick Ecological Justice Hub has provided much needed support to isolated members of the Moreland Community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear how its meal drop program has been connecting to people through food. Read more: https://jss.org.au/an-essential-lifeline-in-melbourne/

24.01.2022 Nyssa is a former participant of our Artful Dodgers Studios. Hear how the support and mentorship she received from the team helped her develop the confidence to pursue her artistic dreams: https://jss.org.au/artful-dodgers-studios-participant-maki/

24.01.2022 Today, we have joined over 50 community sector and Indigenous organisations, businesses, unions, health professionals and others to call on an incoming Northern Territory Government to commit to a climate change Act. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/incoming-territory-government-must-legi/

24.01.2022 People seeking asylum, their families and children must receive the support they need during these trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic. We have joined Jesuit Refugee Service 'JRS' Australia and the Catholic Alliance for People Seeking Asylum - CAPSA to encourage schools to organise and hold a range of activities to stand in solidarity for people seeking asylum and their children with a focus on raising awareness of the #NoChildLeftBehind campaign. Read more: https://jss.org.au/national-week-of-solidarity-2020/

24.01.2022 Elle Jackson, our Manager - Justice Programs NT, had a letter published in the NT News over the weekend, calling for diversion and support programs to be offered to kids in trouble and for the incoming government to raise the age of legal responsibility from 10 to 14. Read more below:

23.01.2022 It's time to stay home again. If we follow the health advice we can get on top of COVID-19 and keep everyone well and out of hospital. We might be apart, but we are all in this together.... Learn more and help us share this vital message in 18 languages: https://nwmphn.org.au/staysafe

23.01.2022 Matt Tyler, our Executive Director of The Men's Project, was recently interviewed on 2SER in Sydney following the release of the Unpacking the Man Box report. Listen here: https://2ser.com/how-attitudes-about-masculinity-influence/

22.01.2022 "COVID has been terrible but it has shone a light on the cracks in society. It has allowed us to do things we should have done long ago. And that will make us a better community." Our CEO Julie Edwards was quoted in an article in The Age on the weekend, discussing the future of Melbourne. Read more: https://www.theage.com.au//what-happens-to-melbourne-when-

21.01.2022 Like many of our programs, The Men’s Project was forced to change the way it worked to meet the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020. It successfully adapted its Unpacking the Man Box training for online audiences, delivering training to over 1,700 teachers and students in over 250 schools. Hear how the program turned adversity into opportunity: https://jss.org.au/winning-hearts-and-minds-through-covid-/

21.01.2022 NAIDOC Week (November 8 15) is about more than a demand for respect, it is about making a more just and decent Australia in which all people can be proud of the society they have built, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Read more: https://jss.org.au/naidoc-week-2020/

21.01.2022 Many of the children and young people we work with in the Northern Territorys Top End community of Katherine experience housing instability and homelessness. While homelessness rates in the Katherine region are 31 times the national average, the community has been overlooked for short-stay visitor accommodation. This means young people and families visiting town, for example to access health services, attend cultural or sporting events or for family reasons, often find thems...elves without access to safe and affordable accommodation. In the lead up to the Northern Territory election, Jesuit social Services has joined other community sector organisations, local government and businesses in the call for parties to commit to addressing this gap and develop culturally appropriate and affordable accommodation in Katherine. Read the media release:

21.01.2022 Masculinities and Health online series: Dont miss VicHealths two-part series, for people working in gender equality, the prevention of violence against women, and working with men and boys. Learn more about our new Unpacking the Man Box report on July 22. Registration details below.

20.01.2022 On Wednesday 5 August, our Artful Dodgers Studios launched season two of its Braided podcast. Braided threads together the intimate, challenging, and triumphant stories of a group of young people from diverse cultural backgrounds who are living with difficult life circumstances, weaving a vivid tapestry of lives rarely glimpsed. The six-part series connects young people with Victorias leading audio producers who work one-on-one with young people to bring to life the stories they wish to tell. Each episode is an intimate window into the daily challenges, lived experiences and individual passions of the creators. Read more:

20.01.2022 The Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program has continued to provide training to participants from African Australian backgrounds throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting participants to achieve their goal of successfully navigating the Victoria Police recruitment process. Read more:

19.01.2022 Australias Governments had an opportunity this week to do the right thing and stop locking up 10-year-old children. They chose to ignore that opportunity. Instead, our states and territories will continue to incarcerate primary school aged children against the advice of medical and child developmental experts, as well as the United Nations, after the Council of Attorneys-General decided not to raise the age of legal responsibility from ten to 14 years. Children should be in... school not prison. Alternatives to prison must be expanded and should include building healthier communities for our children to prevent them being dragged into the youth justice system," says our CEO Julie Edwards. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/governments-ignore-pleas-to-stop-lockin/

19.01.2022 Homelessness Week 2020 (August 2-8) is a crucial reminder of the naivety and recklessness of the policies that have produced homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The way forward must be built on respect, and respect begins with a home, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Read more:

19.01.2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed in our community a generosity of spirit and a shared commitment to the common good, writes Andy Hamilton SJ. Read more:

19.01.2022 "Jesuit Social Services acknowledges the significant impact these restrictions have on the physical and mental wellbeing of those directly impacted, and we thank all those making sacrifices to keep people safe during this unprecedented public health crisis." Read our statement regarding Victorian lockdowns and restrictions: https://jss.org.au/statement-regarding-victorian-lockdowns/

19.01.2022 Our CEO Julie Edwards spoke to the Bendigo Advertiser about a new restorative justice pilot program to be delivered by Jesuit Social Services at the Malmsbury and Parkville Youth Justice Centres. The program will offer training to staff on better ways of managing behaviour, while giving young people the skills they need to stay out of trouble. Read more: https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au//pilot-program-aims-/

19.01.2022 Our Ignite Food Store in Mount Druitt is a vital community service. Hear how generous supporters have helped keep The Store open. Read more here: https://jss.org.au/overwhelming-response-helps-to-keep-the/

18.01.2022 Victorias youth justice system must prioritise the health and safety of vulnerable young people by safely exiting some young people into the community, following an increase in confirmed COVID19 cases connected with the system. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/youth-justice-system-must-protect-vulne/

18.01.2022 The COVID-19 pandemic is a sad but timely reminder that poverty is always about people and their suffering, and only secondly about statistics and economic settings, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ. Read more: https://jss.org.au/anti-poverty-week-2020/

17.01.2022 We are pleased that the Victorian Government has abandoned its plan for expanded preventative detention powers during COVID-19. The proposed powers were disproportionate and excessive, and would have impacted vulnerable members of our community. COVID-19 requires a health approach, not a punitive approach.... https://www.theage.com.au//andrews-government-abandons-con

17.01.2022 World Children’s Day is timely reminder of the need to ensure primary school aged children are in the playground, not in prison. 600 children aged 10-13 are arrested, charged and locked up in Australian prisons every year. Send an email to your MP and ask them to support the call to #RaiseTheAge of legal responsibility from 10 to 14 years: bit.ly/raisetheagewasc

17.01.2022 COVID-19 has resulted in a spike in family violence and we expect an increase in mental health concerns, demonstrating that the work of The Mens Project is more vital than ever before. In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, connection and compassion have never been more important. During this time, The Mens Project has moved to delivering our services remotely to support boys and men to flourish and live healthier and fulfilling lives. Read more:

17.01.2022 Three Jesuit Social Services Artful Dodgers Studios artists, Aaron B, Olivia Meg and Elijah Augustine performed at this year's Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee Festival. The festival was recently held across the City of Port Phillip and featured a diverse range of musical performances. One of the festival organisers said that the Dodgers' artists "did a great job entertaining the crowds and were an important part of the event". Read our full story here: https://jss.org.au/black-music-matters/

16.01.2022 Last year, our Support After Suicide program produced the podcast ‘Let’s Talk About Suicide’ in collaboration with JOY FM. The podcast has been named as a finalist in the Best Wellbeing Podcast category at the Australian Podcast Awards. Find out more and see the full list of finalists here: https://australianpodcastawards.com/finalists-2020, or listen to the podcast: https://joy.org.au/letstalk/

15.01.2022 Today the Federal Government announced it will reduce the Coronavirus supplement for Jobseeker recipients to $150 a fortnight from late December and that the supplement will be ended altogether in March. Jesuit Social Services says it is inhumane for the Federal Government to return vulnerable people to the base payment of $565.70 a fortnight simply not enough to live on. While the Coronavirus supplement has been welcome, and supported many Australians through an extremel...y challenging year, the impact of the pandemic will continue to be deeply felt moving forward. We have long lobbied for a sustainable increase to the Jobseeker Allowance, the base rate of which has not increased in real terms since 1994. Prime Minister Scott Morrison today said that no decision has been made about a permanent increase to the rate. We call on the Federal Government to commit to #RaiseTheRate so people are no longer left behind. https://www.theguardian.com//jobseeker-covid-payment-exten

14.01.2022 Aman is a participant in our Major Projects Jobs Service program. Hear how the Major Projects team helped Aman with the knowledge and training he needed to restart his career in Australia:

13.01.2022 MEDIA RELEASE: The Victorian Government must act swiftly to release low-level prisoners and other vulnerable groups from the states prison system, following the news that six Victorian prisons are in lockdown after a staff member tested positive to COVID-19. We have seen other countries and cities across parts of Europe and the US take action to release some prisoners. Our political leaders taking a proactive approach now will protect the health and wellbeing of people who have contact with the system, including prisoners and staff, and may literally save lives," says our CEO Julie Edwards. Read more: https://jss.org.au/covid-19-prison-risk-requires-immediate/

12.01.2022 As the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown began, staff at our Ecological Justice Hub in Brunswick realised that many vulnerable people in the local community would find it difficult to access fresh, nutritious food. Read how the staff and volunteers at the Hub have implemented their meal delivery program, providing support and connection to people living in isolation:

12.01.2022 In his post for Social Inclusion Week, ANDY HAMILTON SJ writes that social inclusion depends on social friendship the readiness to welcome others into our lives. Read more: https://jss.org.au/social-inclusion-week-2020/

12.01.2022 John Adams, our General Manager - Northern Territory, joined Larissa Ellis, CEO Women’s Safety Services of Central Australia, Maree Corbo, Manager of Tangentyere’s Community Safety division and Senator Malarndirri Mccarthy at Tangentyere Council’s launch of the Central Australian Minimum Standards for Men’s Behaviour Change Programs yesterday. We have partnered with Tangentyere for a number of years providing evaluation support for the Men’s Behaviour Change program and were proud to attend the launch of this place-based resource that will contribute to best practice in culturally strong programs working with men who use violence, putting the safety of women and children at the centre.

12.01.2022 We’re looking forward to this webinar coming up tonight, hosted by our friends at the End Child Detention Coalition, featuring Dr Sarah Mares on the mental health impact of detention on children. It starts at 6pm. Register here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_P6dk4NKfTvG0OQnAfzt64w

12.01.2022 Jesuit Social Services is part of a coalition of climate, union, community and business groups that have partnered with the University of Sydney to produce ‘The Real Deal’, a major new report which launched today. The report outlines a research and organising agenda for a genuine deal between the market, state, and civil society that works for people and the environment. Read more: https://www.sydney.edu.au//news-commentary/a-real-deal.html

12.01.2022 The Maribyrnong Community Residential Facility is a pilot initiative funded by the Department of Justice and Community Safety. Situated on the site of the former immigration detention centre, the facility houses men exiting prison who are at high risk of homelessness. Read about how Jesuit Social Services has been engaged to deliver transitional support to these men.

11.01.2022 The 2020/21 Victorian Budget strengthens our social fabric and will ensure that more Victorians have the opportunity to flourish moving forward, by providing unprecedented funding to vital social services and supports. Read our Media Release: https://jss.org.au/victorian-budget-2020-21-creates-a-stro/

10.01.2022 We welcome the Federal Opposition’s announcement that it will commit more than $90 million to reduce the over-incarceration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and launch a national justice reinvestment program, if it is successful at the next election. This commitment has pertinently been announced on the 30th anniversary of the final report of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Investing money in community-led justice reinvestment measures,... instead of funneling more people into the prison system, will change lives for the better both now and for future generations. Funding for more than 30 communities to design programs focused on rehabilitation, preventing family violence and keeping children engaged with school will help to build stronger, more cohesive communities. We call on the Federal Government to make a similar commitment to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities opportunities to thrive. https://www.theguardian.com//labor-pledges-90m-to-reduce-i

10.01.2022 The City of Melbourne is partnering with The Men’s Project to offer 25 complementary places in the next round of the Modelling Respect and Equality (MoRE) program. MoRE is an innovative program to build skills and knowledge to help create positive change in the community around issues of respect and equality, particularly in places that shape the cultures of boys and men, like sporting clubs, youth groups, workplaces, and schools. Find out more and register: http://bit.ly/TMP-CoM-MoRE

09.01.2022 Our Artful Dodgers Studios in Collingwood is one of Victoria’s longest-running community spaces for marginalised young people often experiencing multiple and complex challenges in their lives. Hear how Artful Dodgers is helping young people stay connected and explore new ways of expressing their creativity: https://jss.org.au/artful-dodgers-studios-keeping-creative/

09.01.2022 Water security is a critical issue for remote communities in the Northern Territory, including a number communities with whom we work. In the lead up to the NT election, Jesuit Social Services has joined Aboriginal organisations in calling for the introduction of a Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure all communities not just urban populations have access to adequate and safe drinking water. Read more: https://www.abc.net.au//remote-water-security-pol/12486866

09.01.2022 For the feast day of St Ignatius, Andy Hamilton writes that the friendship and resilience Ignatius shared with those whom he founded the Jesuit order, transcended the isolation they often endured in their work, qualities that are needed more than ever in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Read more:

08.01.2022 We have joined medical, health and human rights organisations to urge Australia’s Senators to vote against the Immigration Amendment Act (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2020 after Federal Parliament resumes on October 6. If the Bill passes, it will allow vital communication tools such as mobile phones and internet-capable devices to be deemed as prohibited items in immigration detention facilities. Our CEO Julie Edwards says: Denying people acce...ss to these vital lifelines would be cruel and inhumane, and have a deeply devastating impact on the mental health and wellbeing of people our Governments are responsible for the care of. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/mobile-phone-ban-would-be-cruel-and-inh/

08.01.2022 We welcome the Victorian Government’s introduction of the Spent Convictions Bill 2020 into Victorian Parliament today. If the bill enters into law, an individual’s historic criminal record will no longer show up in a police check after 10 years for adults or five years for a juvenile conviction as long the person does not reoffend in that time. Our CEO Julie Edwards says The introduction of this scheme will allow people stronger access to social and economic participation instead of further entrenching disadvantage. We hope to see the Bill pass through Parliament and be implemented quickly, to support people to better futures. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/spent-conviction-reform-will-support-ci/

07.01.2022 We are pleased to announce that applications for the next round of the Victoria Police Diversity Recruitment Program, which seeks to increase the representation of African-Australians from refugee and other backgrounds in Victoria Police, are now open. Applications for the 15 week Course in Policing Recruitment Pathway close on November 23, with the course commencing in January 2021. We anticipate that Round 5 will be delivered via a blended model with some face to face class...es at Victoria University in Footscray, with the majority of classes remaining online. Interested in learning more? Register below to attend an online information session on Monday October 19. The session will provide an overview of the program, the Victoria Police recruitment process, and allow attendees to ask questions about the recruitment program and Victoria Police.

07.01.2022 Our Worth A Second Chance campaign has marked World Children's Day with a new animation, supporting the national push to raise the age of legal responsibility from the current 10 years to 14. This would ensure that primary school aged children could no longer be locked up.... Watch the video here: https://worthasecondchance.com.au/raise-the-age-film

06.01.2022 Do you know your rights when it comes to rent reductions? Or fighting an eviction notice during the pandemic? Tomorrow's Facebook Live edition of 'Victorian Voices' will be all about housing, renting and COVID.... Further information below.

06.01.2022 We are proud to be involved in this innovative and evidence-based pilot program, which will promote respectful relationships and create safer environments for young people and staff. https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/youth-justice-trial-boost-sa

06.01.2022 Unpacking the Man Box, released today, finds young Australian mens belief in rigid masculine stereotypes has a stronger impact on whether they will use violence, sexually harass women, or experience mental ill-health themselves, than other factors including their education levels, where they live or their cultural heritage. The report is based on a survey of 1,000 young Australian men aged 18 to 30, and builds on the findings of The Mens Projects 2018 report The Man Box. U...npacking the Man Box is produced by Jesuit Social Services The Mens Project and Dr Michael Flood, Associate Professor at Queensland University of Technology, with funding from VicHealth. Read the report and media release here: https://jss.org.au//the-mens-project/unpacking-the-man-box/

05.01.2022 The Australian Capital Territory has paved the way for other states and territories to provide ageappropriate responses to children in trouble, following its Legislative Assembly voting to raise the age of legal responsibility from 10 to 14 years. It is the first Australian state or territory to commit to changing its laws to ensure primary school aged children are not incarcerated, after the Council of Attorneys-General decided last month to defer recommendations about the issue. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/act-shows-the-country-it-is-time-to-rai/

04.01.2022 The 2020/21 Federal Budget, handed down last night, is a missed opportunity to support vulnerable Australians both through the COVID-19 pandemic and towards more positive futures. CEO Julie Edwards says: This Budget has a strong emphasis on tax cuts for middle and high income earners who are already in stable and secure work, which will benefit millions of Australians, but not the Australians who are already on the margins and in need of support to maintain a basic standard ...of living. "We appreciate that this Budget has been delivered at a very difficult time given the economic and social impact of the pandemic, but our leaders need to do more to ensure all members of the community have the opportunity to live healthy, positive lives." Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/federal-budget-a-missed-opportunity-to-/

03.01.2022 In his reflection for Mental Health Week (10-17 October), ANDY HAMILTON SJ says that it is time that we remove the stigma from mental illness and instead celebrate the gifts that people who experience mental illness bring to our diverse society. Read more: https://jss.org.au/removing-the-stigma-from-mental-illness/

03.01.2022 Our Support After Suicide program released a major report today, detailing the experiences of current and former participants who have been impacted by the suicide of a family member. The survey was completed by 142 former and current participants of Support After Suicides counselling services, from which 28 were chosen for in-depth interviews. Support After Suicide Manager Louise Flynn says the report identifies some major gaps in the mental health system. It is important to note that this is not about casting blame on any organisation or group of individuals, but identifying the type of systemic reform needed to allow professionals to more adequately care for people in need of support. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/report-highlights-areas-for-reform-in-m/

03.01.2022 As levels of unemployment and underemployment look set to continue to rise, the importance of a fair social safety net is only magnified. JobSeeker and related payments must be permanently increased. Read our recent submission to the Select Committees Inquiry into the Australian Governments response to the COVID-19 pandemic: https://jss.org.au/submission-to-the-senate-select-committ/... #RaiseTheRate #RaiseTheRateForGood

02.01.2022 Dr. 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 on 9 December. More information and registration link here: https://www.boroondara.vic.gov.au//dads-making-difference-

02.01.2022 In May, Jesuit Social Services provided a submission to the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements, calling for urgent action to reduce emissions and build our communities resilience for a more just and climate safe future. Eight months on from our Black Summer, and as the west coast of the US experiences unprecedented blazes, the Royal Commission has released its draft propositions but they dont adequately recognise the direct influence of climate c...hange in fuelling worsening bushfires. We have the opportunity to change that. The Climate Council is calling on community members to add their name to an Open Letter to the Bushfire Royal Commissioners requesting action on climate change be one of the central pillars of the recommendations. Add your name via the link below before midday today to make sure it is counted. https://www.climatecouncil.org.au//bushfire-royal-commiss/

01.01.2022 The COVID-19 pandemic has meant Support After Suicide has had to deliver its one-on-one and group services remotely since March. Since 2004, the program has delivered vital counselling services and group sessions to children, young people and adults who have been bereaved by the suicide of a loved one. Read more:

01.01.2022 The Federal Government’s decision to refer decision making about raising the age of criminal responsibility back to states and territories after years of debate will condemn more vulnerable children to unnecessary contact with the criminal justice system. Our CEO Julie Edwards says: Jailing kids is failing kids. Instead of locking up vulnerable children, our political leaders must commit to supporting them in the community, keeping them connected with family and school, ...and giving them every opportunity to get their lives back on track. Read our media release: https://jss.org.au/time-for-states-to-show-true-leadership/

01.01.2022 When disasters occur, people revert to gender stereotypes. Matt Tyler, Executive Director of Jesuit Social Services' The Men's Project, says if we can reduce adherence to the Man Box rules, we'll create a better community. Read more at Pro Bono Australia: https://probonoaustralia.com.au//does-covid-19-force-us-t/

01.01.2022 As we approach the end of the financial year, will you consider making a donation to help us keep young people connected to school? Hear from our CEO Julie Edwards about the difference you can make. GIVE NOW: https://secure.donman.net.au/client/JSS/Donate.aspx Watch the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGhVnMbMnOs

01.01.2022 World Children’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the gifts that children bring to our lives, as well as the impacts of polices and practices that lead to some children experiencing disadvantage, writes ANDY HAMILTON SJ Read more: https://jss.org.au/world-childrens-day-2020/