SOCIETY€¦ · Dear Friends of the Society, The Society’s 2014 Christmas Appeal officially closed on 31 January, and I am pleased to advise that a total of $622,240 was raised

DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

A NEWSLETTER FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY IN VICTORIA MARCH 2015

SOCIETY

VINNIES YOUTH LENDING A HELPING HAND

VINNIES SHOPS

HELPING BUILD NEW LIVES

Dear Friends of the Society,

The Society’s 2014 Christmas Appeal officially closed on 31 January, and I am pleased to advise that a total of $622,240 was raised over the November to January period. On behalf of the Society and, particularly, on behalf of those who seek our assistance, thank you for your generosity on this and many other occasions.

The Society’s State Council is conscious of the need for the assistance we provide to make a difference to the lives of the disadvantaged, the poor and those in need in our community. We have some programs through which we try to make such a difference:

• A tutoring program on Saturday mornings in Dandenong particularly assists students for whom English is not their first language but who seek assistance to learn

• A reading club in Heidelberg West regularly helps primary students seeking to improve their literacy and reading skills

• Our Soup Vans continue to meet with many people, some homeless, some who reside in boarding houses or in public housing, not only by providing a nutritious meal, but also by providing material assistance (eg warm clothing) and companionship.

The challenge is for us to better understand the needs of those who seek our assistance. Your donations make a difference in their lives: thank you, most sincerely.

Social Justice in the City presentations resumed at the end of February. They are held on the last Wednesday of each month, February to November, at St Francis Pastoral Centre, corner Lonsdale and Elizabeth Streets, Melbourne, from 12 noon until 1 pm. You are invited to attend the next presentation on Wednesday 25th March. Our guest speaker that day will be Jacqui Phillips, Director of Policy for the Australian Council of Social Services. Jacqui’s presentation is entitled “The gendered nature of poverty in Australia: challenges and solutions”. I look forward to your joining us for that or future presentations during 2015.

Best wishes,

Michael Liddy State President

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

2 < SOCIETY | MARCH 2015

State President Michael Liddy thanking HMAS Cerberus Warrant Officer, Ian Waller for supporting Vinnies Christmas Gift Appeal

Once again we had enormous support for our 2014 Christmas Appeal. Central to the appeal was a story about Diane, a grandmother who fought for years to give her granddaughter Jasmine a better life. Diane and Jasmine’s story is a perfect reminder of why we do what we do all year round to assist those who need a hand up.

Our 2014 Christmas Appeal raised a total of $622,240 in Victoria, which includes IGA’s Community Chest donation. A sincere thanks to you - our ongoing supporters - for your generous donations to the Society so that we can continue to provide help to those experiencing homelessness and disadvantage.

CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2014

SOCIETY | MARCH 2015 > 3

PLEASE MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY DONATING TO VINNIES AT VINNIES.ORG.AUDONATE

MAKE YOUR LEGACY LIVE ON

If you are interested in exploring the idea of a gift in your will to the St Vincent de Paul Society, or simply need general information on wills, bequests and related areas, help is at hand.

Three booklets are available which cover:

• Wills and bequests

• The role of executor of a will and

• Powers of attorney and guardianship

Looking after your loved ones and those who depend upon you is the primary consideration when drawing up a will, but it may be that it is possible to also include a gift which will support the future work of the Society and the many disadvantaged people with whom we work with every day.

For more information please contact Sharon Wagman – Bequest Manager on 9895 5821 or [email protected]



Last year over 60 businesses, schools and community groups held gift drives to support our annual Christmas Gift Appeal. Along with the help of staff from the Box Hill Support Office, over 3,000 gifts were collected from offices, homes and schools all over Melbourne. The gifts were then sorted, wrapped and distributed by Conference members to those in need in the lead up to Christmas. Conferences in regional Victoria also conducted numerous local gift appeals with great support from businesses, schools and other organisations.

Members of HMAS Cerberus and the Navy Steam Club were once again big supporters of the appeal personally delivering over 1,300 toys to our Altona Warehouse on their 1923 Foden Steam Wagon on Tuesday 9 December 2014. We also received over $2100 in our ‘virtual gift’ appeal which was used to purchase movie vouchers so that those less fortunate could have the opportunity to have a day out with a friend. Sincere thanks to everyone who generously donated gifts to this appeal.

CHRISTMAS GIFT APPEAL

Vinnies staff member, Rita collecting gifts from Downer Group

State President Michael Liddy with members of HMAS Cerberus and the Navy Steam Club arriving at Vinnies Altona on their 1923 Foden Steam Wagon

The Navy Steam Club unloading toys at Vinnies Altona


BRUMBY’S GIVING BREAD AT CHRISTMAS

Over Christmas we partnered with Brumby’s Bakery to launch the Art of Giving campaign. Brumby’s gifted two loaves of bread to people in need for every donation of $3 when customers purchased a loaf of bread at their local Brumby’s store. Thanks Brumby’s!

THE SOCIETY HAS BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO HAVE A NUMBER OF CORPORATES WHO SUPPORTED THE 2014 CHRISTMAS APPEAL THROUGH VARIOUS NATIONAL INITIATIVES.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK IGA, BEST&LESS, THE WIGGLES AND BRUMBY’S FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATIONS AND FOR ASSISTING US DURING AN OFTEN LONELY TIME FOR MANY.

IGA COMMUNITY CHESTIGA has once again supported Vinnies Christmas Appeal through the IGA Community Chest campaign.

Over $233,000 was raised nationally for Vinnies to provide food and vital support to thousands of people living in poverty across Australia. Additionally, IGA Australia donated $1 for every new Facebook like that the IGA Australia Facebook page received during December 2014 to the total of $15,000. Thank you IGA for your ongoing support.

SHARING A SMILE WITH BEST&LESS AND THE WIGGLES

The Wiggles and Best&Less joined forces with Vinnies to gift a smile to those in need at Christmas.

$2 smile stickers were available for purchase at Best&Less stores around Australia last year with all proceeds going to the Vinnies Christmas Appeal. Thank you Best&Less and the Wiggles for helping Vinnies make Christmas a happy time for everybody.


Haji, an Afghani Hazara, was born and educated in the bustling city of Quetta in Pakistan, close to the borders of Iran and Afghanistan, and now rife with Taliban activity. A pharmacist, he married in 1980 and started his own business , a shop, in 1987. Haji was well known in Pakistan, working tirelessly as Vice President of the Quetta Chamber of Commerce. Quetta’s Hazara community were suddenly on the front line of Pakistan’s battle with violent extremism and the killing of Hazaras by the Taliban which started in 2001. Haji’s eyes well with tears when he talks about the threats he and his family faced. Five of his family members were killed. “The Taliban were chasing him, trying to hunt him down,” his 19 year old daughter says.

She explains, “He used to work for the welfare of the Hazara people and the business community. As Hazaras got more prosperous in Quetta, the Taliban felt they couldn’t control them. He was getting threats so he went into hiding in Karachi for 18 months. He couldn’t get out at all; they were chasing him there, threatening him.”

In 2011, on very short notice, Haji received a visa to travel to Australia for a holiday. He left with very few

HELPING BUILD NEW LIVES

“I’m so thankful. They help me

everywhere, every time, when I am in a critical financial situation.” – Haji, Afghani refugee

building a new life

Haji and his wife and daughter



possessions or money. “He needed a vacation to relax his mind. He wanted to return to Pakistan stress-free,” she said. When Haji’s plane arrived in Australia, he was instantly relaxed. “It was very peaceful. There is no killing, no tension. I felt very relieved.”

While in Australia, the situation in Pakistan deteriorated. “The Taliban can easily recognise our Hazara features. It wasn’t safe,” says his daughter.

Haji, his wife and two daughters now have permanent visas arising from a positive decision from the Refugee Review Tribunal. This hearing was held in Perth and the St Vincent de Paul Society assisted with the travel costs required to attend.

Today, one of Haji’s sons is living in London and another son remains in Quetta, unable at this stage to secure a visa to travel to Australia.

Haji was worried about how they would pay for his younger daughter’s studies at the local secondary college in Dandenong where they settled. The family paid the fees for the first semester and waited for the next bill to arrive but it never did.

“My dad asked me to go and ask about it at school and they told me that the St Vincent de Paul Society was helping us out paying the fees. I was just so happy, it was so good!”

The family were determined and delighted to eventually

meet the Society members who had helped them. Haji said, “I’m so thankful. They help me everywhere, every time, when I am in a critical financial situation.”

Haji now works in a grocery store five hours per day. “I am happy because my mind is busy.”

“I am very grateful to the St Vincent de Paul Society. They are very helpful for me and for my family. I am very glad to be in Australia now,” said Haji.

Haji’s wife is also happy to be here and is active in the local Dandenong community. “When I first came here I knew a little bit of English so I thought, I can help other women.” She helps them with grocery shopping and educating them on things like how to navigate the public transport system. She also volunteers in a Hampton Park women’s group, acting as an interpreter for women having driving lessons.

With his oldest daughter now married and settled nearby, his younger daughter studying biomedicine at Monash University and one son safe in London, just one thing prevents the family from being truly happy.

“If I can go to Pakistan and bring my other son to Australia that would be very good,” says Haji.

Haji also dreams of starting his own business but remains positive. “I am working here and I am happy I can earn money on my own and not be dependent on anyone else.”

Haji and his wife, daughter and Michael Cashman, Southern Central Council President, St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria


DID YOU KNOW THAT IN 2013/2014 OUR SHOPS PROVIDED $3.2 MILLION WORTH OF MATERIAL AID & OVER $11 MILLION WAS MADE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST VICTORIANS IN NEED?

Whether you’re on a tight budget looking to make your dollar go a little further or on the hunt for that really unique piece, Vinnies is the number one destination for affordable and pre-loved items. With 104 Vinnies Shops across Victoria you can find anything from a great couch to that perfect pair of shoes knowing that everything that is donated or sold at Vinnies assists those in need.

In the last year, there has been a great deal of change and excitement across our network of stores. Responding to increased demand, our shops in Oakleigh, Yarrawonga, Horsham, Echuca and Ascot Vale have all undergone major renovations and now feature our new fixtures, fittings and graphics. Vinnies Traralgon has moved to a new and significantly bigger site and Vinnies Grovedale opened its doors in November.

The success of our shops owes much to the commitment and dedication of our 6,500 active volunteers who generously donate their time and help form the backbone of our shops network. The shops volunteer workforce is a diverse group of people who are united by the desire to make a difference.

Vinnies Shops are also totally dependent on the generosity of our thousands of valued donors. Donations of clothing, furniture and assorted household items are used for material aid support, and to sell to raise funds to support our welfare services. We are grateful for the generous support of all our donors.

With more Vinnies Shops planned to open in the future and over 650 Shops across Australia, your local Vinnies is closer than you think! To find your closest Shop visit: www.vinnies.org.au/shops

VINNIES SHOPS



GIVE A CONTINUOUS HELPING HAND TO THOSE LESS FORTUNATE

A regular donation will help us to plant seeds of hope for people who turn to us every day for assistance. It will help our volunteers and members continue to offer the appropriate material assistance and support to those who come to us in their time of need.

You can make regular donations to the Society directly from your bank account or via credit card.

To join our regular giving program - Helping Hands - contact Catherine Cocks, Donor Liaison Coordinator on 9895 5823 or [email protected]

WHAT’S NEWDemand for good quality homewares and furniture is constant in Vinnies Shops and as such we’re always looking for donors and corporate partners to help generate supply. To assist with this, in February we commenced a three month trial partnership with Grace Removals. In the trial, Grace Removals are producing and providing co-branded donation boxes to their customers who are moving house.

Grace Removal customers can fill these boxes with quality, pre-loved homewares and they can also organise the removal of quality unwanted furniture to go to Vinnies. Grace Removals will collect the goods being donated and deliver them to us for material aid for people in need or sale in Vinnies Shops.

Retail Marketing Manager Nicole Pinder said “We’re really excited about the trial and the opportunity to generate such great quality homewares and furniture donations. We’re always on the lookout for partnerships like this where all parties can benefit”.

VINNIES YOUTH LENDING A HELPING HAND


It is often stated that no work of charity is foreign to the Society. On a weekend late last year, this was seen first-hand when the Blackburn South Conference put out a call to young Vincentians in the region to help de-clutter the house of a man they were assisting.

The man had been collecting items over a number of years and due to illness, the clutter had reached waist height throughout most of the house. The clean-up job had become too big for him to handle. With a large skip in tow, Blackburn South members coordinated the clean-up with young Vincentian members from four conferences providing the muscle power. The results are that the gentleman is now able to access his lounge room, kitchen, bathroom and bedroom again. Social workers who had previously dropped the gentleman from their books because the situation was too dire have now agreed to help him again and have linked him into proper medical and psychological support as well as arrange professional cleaners to give the house a proper going over. The gentleman is also looking forward to inviting some of his family members over to his house for the first time in years – as he was previously too embarrassed.

Many hands do make light work. The inter-conference collaboration was rewarding for all involved and we have definitely seen this Society work provide a hand up, not just a hand out.

Catherine Smith Outer East Young Vincentians


DID YOU KNOW THAT IN 2013/2014 OUR 450 VINNIES YOUTH MEMBERS PROVIDED CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES SUCH AS KIDS’ CAMPS, KIDS’ DAYS OUT AND TEEN DAYS OUT TO OVER 600 CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS?

IN A TIME WHEN THE WORLD LABELS YOUTH AS ‘INDIVIDUALISTIC’ AND ‘MATERIALISTIC’ IT IS INSPIRING THAT THERE ARE SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO BE MORE AND DO MORE WITH THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY.


MINI VINNIESAt the start 0f 2014, Mrs Garvey, a Holy Trinity (Wantirna South) year 3/4 teacher, began the Holy Trinity and St Mary’s Mini Vinnies team. The 15 students met regularly to discuss and plan ways to help those not as fortunate as themselves. The students were instrumental in gathering goods for the Vinnies Winter Appeal. They also organised the Holy Trinity and St Mary’s Wishing Tree to raise money for disadvantaged children in the Wantirna South, Knoxfield and Scoresby areas. Their aim was to go and buy presents with the money each class raised after each class had researched and decided on appropriate gifts for that age group.

On Thursday 27 November 2014, the Holy Trinity and St Mary’s Mini Vinnies team of 15 walked with Mrs Harkin and other helpers to Knox City shops to buy presents to give to the Scoresby St Vincent de Paul Conference. The students were very grateful that Toys R Us, Kmart and Rebel Sport gave a discount when they were told what the students were doing.

The Vinnies School and Community Sleepouts were a huge success in 2014 with many schools, businesses and community groups hosting sleepouts to help raise awareness and funds to support those homeless in their local communities.

Hosting a Vinnies Sleepout not only makes a difference to your local community but it also highlights the realities of homelessness that many participants might not otherwise see.

If you would like more information about organising your own sleepout event in winter 2015 visit vinniessleepout.gofundraise.com.au or contact Jenny, Community Fundraising Coordinator on 9895 5877 or [email protected]

HOST YOUR OWN SLEEPOUT

FUNDRAISING IS A GREAT WAY FOR SCHOOLS AND ORGANISATIONS TO HELP VINNIES DO SOMETHING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS. FROM HOSTING A TRIVIA NIGHT, PJ DAY OR A SOUP VAN THEMED LUNCH YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR COMMUNITY. FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER TO FUNDRAISE VISIT VINNIES.ORG.AU/FUNDRAISEVIC

We would like to extend a special thank you to all students and families who contributed by bringing money or items for the Mini Vinnies Christmas Wishing Tree. Many students did extra jobs around their home to get the money to bring to school. The school community raised a total of $1,210. After the shopping spree, we had $328.20 in cash left to give to the St Vincent de Paul Conference. What an amazing effort from an amazing school community.

Ann Harkin Year 5/6 teacher & Religious Education Leader Holy Trinity Primary School

St Vincent de Paul Society of Victoria43 Prospect StreetBox Hill Victoria 3128

Phone: (03) 9895 5800 Fax: (03) 9895 5850 Email: [email protected]

PLEASE MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY DONATING TO VINNIES AT

VINNIES.ORG.AU

DONATE

2015 VINNIES CEO SLEEPOUTThe Vinnies CEO Sleepout will be held again this year on Thursday 18 June. A key event on our fundraising calendar, the event involves business and community leaders sleeping out on the cold concrete for a night to raise money and awareness to support our homeless services. This year the event will be held at the Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre. Last year 118 participants in Victoria raised over $477,000 and over $5.7 million nationally.

For more information or sign up for 2015 visit www.ceosleepout.org.au

|Rise to the challenge JUNE 18 2015

facebook.com/StVincentdePaulSocietyVictoria @VinniesVictoria CONNECT WITH US:

*AS WE CONTINUE TO OPERATE MORE COST EFFECTIVELY WE ASK THAT DONATIONS ARE MADE

ONLINE RATHER THAN BY PHONE

rise to the challenge JUNE 18 2015

Documents

SOCIETY€¦ · Dear Friends of the Society, The Society’s 2014 Christmas Appeal officially closed on 31 January, and I am pleased to advise that a total of $622,240 was raised