Catholic Social Services Australia

I'm pleased to have participated in 2 days of advocacy events organised by Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) this week in Canberra. This meeting with Hon. Clare O'Neil MP, Minister for Housing, Minister for Homelessness, and CSSA colleagues Anne Kirwan, Cathy Uechtritz, Peter Monaghan and Peter Selwood. Thanks for the opportunity to collaborate.

CSSA Agency Heads from across the nation recently gathered at Parliament House in Canberra for a pivotal two-day advocacy event, engaging with Federal Ministers, Shadow Ministers, and Members of Parliament from all major political parties. Key discussions focused on funding challenges, and indexation shortfalls, the extreme unaffordability of land and housing, labour market challenges and the urgent need to prioritise an end to child poverty in Australia. CSSA has commissioned David Gilchrist, at the UWA Centre for Public Value, to prepare a landmark report on the true cost of funding sustainable social services, launching on 19 March 2025 at the CSSA National Conference. Thank you to all who participated and contributed to the discussions. For full media release about our recent event, click https://bit.ly/4f7KfB3 Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network (ACAN) CatholicCare Diocese Of Broken Bay CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning CatholicCare Sydney CatholicCare Western Sydney and Blue Mountains CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CatholicCare Diocese of Wollongong Centacare Central West & Orana Centacare New England North West Centacare South West NSW Dunlea Centre Marist180 Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn St Agnes' Care & Lifestyle CatholicCare NT Centacare Catholic Country SA Centacare Catholic Community Services - Adelaide CatholicCare Tasmania CatholicCare Victoria Jesuit Social Services MacKillop Family Services Catholic Marriage Centre MercyCare CatholicCare Central Queensland Centacare Brisbane Centacare FNQ Centacare North Queensland (NQ) Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation St Francis Social Services Cate Trivers Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) angela argent Diocese of Parramatta Alicia Payne Adjunct Professor Tony Pietropiccolo AM Sharon Bessell Sarah Quinton Cadhla O’Sullivan

💫 Animal Assisted Education 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 💫 Calling all those in the Melbourne, Ballarat and Geelong with a therapy dog. Are you passionate about making a difference with your therapy dog? Ready to join a team that spreads smiles and enriches lives? 🌱 The Paw Pals team from MacKillop Family Services are expanding the Animal Assisted Education Program and looking for part-time dedicated therapy dog teams to create pawsitive change! 📍 Locations: Metropolitan Melbourne, Ballarat, Geelong 📄 Job Type: Part-time Contractor 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲: 🐶 Deliver weekly Paw Pals sessions to students and school groups 📚 Support social, emotional, and academic growth 🌟 Boost student confidence and connection through strengths-based practice 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗚𝗲𝘁: ✨ Professional development opportunities 📚 Access to exclusive materials and expert support 🤝 Join a team passionate about making a difference 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝗮𝘃𝗲: ✅ AAT qualification & a working therapy dog ✅ Experience in education, youth work, or allied health ✅ Insurance, ABN, & required clearances 📧 Apply Now! Email your resume to Paw Pals team at pawpals@mackillop.org.au

CSSA recently signed up to support the End Child Poverty campaign. We would love for you to join us and support the campaign by signing up: https://bit.ly/3WI1XDE 📢Listen to Adjunct Professor Tony Pietropiccolo discuss the urgent issues of homelessness and child poverty on SBS NITV Radio. This critical conversation highlights five key findings from the Child Poverty in Australia 2024 report: ·      Rising child poverty rates are at a crisis level. ·      Homelessness is increasingly affecting vulnerable families. ·      Affordable housing is out of reach for many Australians. ·      Early intervention is crucial to breaking the cycle of poverty. ·      Faith-based services are vital in supporting those most in need. Tune in now to learn more and take action: https://bit.ly/4fLhLOI #EndChildPoverty #ValuingChildrenInitiative

This National Homelessness Week, we want to shine a light on the critical issue of child poverty and homelessness. At Marist180, along with Catholic Social Services Australia (CSSA) and other dedicated organisations, we are working tirelessly to provide vital support including housing, meals, health and education. Yet, with over 760,000 children living in poverty (according to research by ACOSS and the University of NSW, 2022), our efforts are not enough. We need increased investment in social services, better wages for frontline workers, and bold fiscal reforms to address high land prices and living costs. Let's work together for a future where everyone has a safe home and a fair chance. Read more about our Specialist Homelessness Service here: https://lnkd.in/gCY92e43 #NationalHomelessnessWeek #EndChildPoverty #Marist180 Marist Formation Marist Association of St Marcellin Champagnat Star of the Sea Province (Marists of Champagnat) Catholic Social Services Australia

There is an urgent need for foster carers across New South Wales. That’s why at MacKillop we’re participating in the CIty2Surf this year to help raise awareness and recruit foster carers. Hear from our CEO Dr. Robyn Miller about our effort in this year's City2Surf how you can join us. #RunWithMacKillop #City2Surf #LetsRunSydney

🌟 Ending child poverty must be Australia’s top priority! 🌟 CSSA members and other faith-based providers are on the front lines, supporting vulnerable families and communities daily. Despite their heroic efforts, poverty continues to rise, with 3 million Australians, including 760,000 children, living in poverty. We haven't seen a serious attempt to end child poverty since Bob Hawke's prime ministership. We need a major investment in social services and welfare to turn the tide. To read the full Op-Ed, click https://bit.ly/3Ytn7I3 Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network (ACAN) CatholicCare Diocese Of Broken Bay CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning CatholicCare Sydney CatholicCare Western Sydney and Blue Mountains CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CatholicCare Wollongong Centacare Central West & Orana Centacare New England North West Centacare South West NSW Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul Dunlea Centre Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea Marist180 Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn St Agnes' Care & Lifestyle CatholicCare NT Centacare Catholic Country SA Centacare Catholic Community Services - Adelaide CatholicCare Tasmania CatholicCare Victoria Jesuit Social Services MacKillop Family Services MercyCare CatholicCare Central Queensland Centacare Brisbane Centacare FNQ Centacare North Queensland (NQ) Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation Centrecare Catholic Social Services Western Australia Catholic Social Services Victoria (CSSV) David Gilchrist Diocese of Parramatta

CSSA recently signed up as a supporter of the new and vitally important End Child Poverty Campaign. Please join us for this upcoming Webinar to learn more about the problem of child poverty in Australia and the powerful new campaign to bring it to an end. Find out how you can help end child poverty. Members can book a spot by going to our website: https://bit.ly/3WCsyU1 #ValuingChildrenInitiative Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network (ACAN) CatholicCare Diocese Of Broken Bay CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning CatholicCare Sydney CatholicCare Western Sydney and Blue Mountains CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CatholicCare Wollongong Centacare Central West & Orana Centacare New England North West Centacare South West NSW Dunlea Centre Marist180 Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn St Agnes' Catholic Parish - Port Macquarie CatholicCare NT Centacare Catholic Country SA Centacare Catholic Family Services CatholicCare Tasmania CatholicCare Victoria Jesuit Social Services MacKillop Family Services MercyCare CatholicCare Central Queensland Centacare Brisbane Centacare FNQ Centacare North Queensland (NQ) Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and Papua New Guinea Crawford School of Public Policy Adjunct Professor Tony Pietropiccolo AM Sharon Bessell Sarah Quinton Josh Lourensz Grace Kurniawan Ron Johnson

We currently support a network of foster carers in New South Wales – but there is a critical shortage across the state. That’s why we’ll be running at Sydney’s City2Surf on August 11 - to raise awareness of the need for foster carers in NSW, and to raise funds to support them. Help us support foster carers – wonderful, everyday heroes who open their homes to keep children safe – by sponsoring a member of the MacKillop Team. Now is the best time, as we’ve just entered City2Surf’s Run With Heart Month. From now until 16 July, if a member of the MacKillop team receives three donations in 48 hours, they could win a $200 Rebel Sport Voucher and Adidas Prize Pack. Support Team MacKillop at City2Surf 2024 in any way you can, and help keep vulnerable children and young people safe. #RunWithMacKillop #City2Surf #LetsRunSydney

We were privileged to host Most Reverend Vincent Long Van Nguyen OFM Conv DD STL, Bishop of Parramatta and hear his compelling speech on good governance. He emphasised the importance of implementing synodal governance with accountability, transparency, and diversity. Bishop Long encouraged us to remain mission-focused, maintaining our purpose amid pressures, and for our leaders to stay deeply connected to the Church's founding stories. A special thank you to Sue Woodward AM, ACNC Commissioner, David Gilchrist, Professor and Director of UWA Centre for Public Value, Fr Brian Lucas, National Director Catholic Mission, Megan Kavanagh, Partner at Colin Biggers & Paisley, Leanne Dearlove, Special Counsel, Ian Woodruff, Institute of Community Directors Australia and Kathleen Donnellon for their presentations and for sharing their expertise in governance. And the wonderful catering from St Francis Social Services House of Welcome. Our gratitude extends to our members, their Chairs and management teams who engaged in discussions, asked questions, and shared their pain points and ideas to make our sector a safer and stronger space to work in. Click here for the full Opening Address: https://bit.ly/3XQrL2t Australian Catholic Anti-slavery Network (ACAN) CatholicCare Diocese Of Broken Bay CatholicCare Social Services Hunter-Manning CatholicCare Sydney CatholicCare Western Sydney and Blue Mountains CatholicCare Wilcannia-Forbes CatholicCare Wollongong Centacare Central West & Orana Centacare New England North West Centacare South West NSW Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent DePaul Dunlea Centre Marist180 Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn St Agnes' Care & Lifestyle CatholicCare NT Centacare Catholic Country SA Centacare Catholic Family Services CatholicCare Tasmania CatholicCare Victoria Jesuit Social Services MacKillop Family Services Catholic Marriage Centre MercyCare CatholicCare Central Queensland Centacare Brisbane Centacare FNQ Centacare North Queensland (NQ) Sisters of Mercy Brisbane Congregation