There are numerous charity organizations around Melbourne that dedicate their time and efforts to advocating the teachings of the Church by helping the less fortunate and marginalised in the wider community. These groups are always looking for people who can lend a helping hand so check them out! If you would like to volunteer, simply click on the links below. 

The Cagliero Project

caglwww.cagliero.org.au

The Cagliero Project is for young people who want to travel overseas, make a difference and work with youth. The Project is run by the Salesians of Don Bosco. It gives young Australians an opportunity to devote 6-12 months of service to disadvantaged youth overseas and in Australia. Currently the Cagliero Project sends volunteers to Thailand, Samoa, South Africa and Cambodia. The missionaries live in Salesian communities and work in Salesian projects such as schools, youth centres, oratories and mission centres. Cagliero Missionaries commit themselves to a Salesian spirituality and lifestyle. What is the Salesian Way? To work tirelessly for the poor in a joyful way with a loving heart!

Caritas Australia

caritaswww.caritas.org.au

Caritas Australia is founded on the principles of Catholic Social Teaching (CST), that is: preferential option for the poor; human dignity, solidarity; subsidiarity; and stewardship of the earth’s resources.

It belongs to one of the largest international aid and development networks in the world - Caritas Internationalis - a network of 162 Catholic relief, development and social service organisations working to build a better world, in over 200 countries and territories.

Faith Doing Justice

faithdoingjusticewww.faithdoingjustice.com.au

This web resource is a partnership between Church Resources and the Loyola Institute to provide resources fostering a faith that does justice. Subscribe to their monthly newsletter by emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . This newsletter lists events and projects available from the Jesuit network.

 

Jesuit Social Services

jesuitswww.jss.org.au

Jesuit Social Services (JSS) expresses its Christian mission through the service of faith and the promotion of justice. JSS works collaboratively with others to engage disadvantaged individuals, families and communities and the wider society to promote health and wellbeing and to address social exclusion. Through the Jesuit Volunteers Australia program they seek volunteers who are committed towards working in direct engagement with people on the margins.

 

John Pierce Centre for Deaf Ministry

johnpiercehttp://www.jpc.org.au/support-jpc/

The John Pierce Centre serves Deaf and hearing-impaired people and their families throughout Victoria.

The Centre operates within a Catholic ethos and seeks to empower all deaf people and their families to live a full life. Various activities including workshops and retreats are offered for members of the Deaf community. These are opportunities for prayer, reflection, understanding and expression of faith, and for deeper meaning in life.

Mackillop Family Services

marymacwww.mackillop.org.au

MacKillop Family Services provides a wide range of specialist support services to some of Victoria’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families. Their services are located through metropolitan Melbourne and throughout the Barwon region. MacKillop is committed to both direct service provision and broader social change through advocacy and social policy. MacKillop is one of the largest providers of child and family services in Victoria and they are always looking for committed volunteers to assist with their work.

Mary of the Cross Centre

maryofthecrosswww.maryofthecross.org.au

Volunteers of varying ages and with a diverse range of skills play a vital role at Mary of the Cross Centre. Many of these people contribute regularly in areas such as reception, administration, gardening and maintenance while others are available to assist on an occasional basis. Mary of the Cross Centre is part of the Centacare Catholic Family Services and provides a range of services to address both drug prevention and intervention where drug or alcohol use is causing problems.

Melbourne Overseas Missions

momwww.mom.org.au

Melbourne Overseas Missions (MOM) is an Australian-based charity committed to assisting developing countries by encouraging self-help and self-reliance, advocating human rights and enhancing gender equality. It was founded in 1968 by Cardinal James Knox to provide assistance to developing countries as an outreach of the Catholic Church community in the Archdiocese of Melbourne.

PALMS Australia

palmshttp://www.palms.org.au/apply/

Palms Australia is the Australian Catholic Church's Volunteer Sending/Cross-cultural Training Agency. It is an independent Australian volunteer sending organisation with over 47 years experience in recruiting, preparing, sending and supporting volunteers for work overseas and in cross-cultural situations. Want to volunteer overseas? Palms responds to requests from international communities, predominantly in the Pacific, Asia and Africa by sending skilled Australian volunteers abroad as part of our skills exchange program. Exchanging skills ensures the benefits are long term and sustainable for the overseas community and the volunteer.

St Vincent de Paul Society

vinnieswww.vinnies.org.au

http://www.vinnies.org.au/young-adult-conferences-vic

The mission of the St Vincent de Paul Society in Australia is to deepen the Catholic faith of its members - to go out into our nation to heighten the awareness of Jesus Christ. The “Vinnies” are very active in advocating the voice of the poor and marginalized, working on a personal basis with the less fortunate and giving them hope by encouraging them to take control of their destiny. There are thousands of young people who every day share their time and care for humanity through the “Vinnies Youth" program.

Youth Mission Team (YMT) Australia

YMThttp://www.ymt.com.au/join.php

Choosing to defer work or uni for 12 months to serve God through YMT is the greatest privilege and is definitely a life defining decision. Backed by 23 years experience, YMT Australia offers a unique missionary opportunity for young people who want to be on the cutting edge of the new evangelisation, grow personally in both faith and character, seek to be equipped with life skills that they’ll continue to benefit from for many years to come, want to experience the dynamic of team work and how to grow in close committed friendships, want to discover & develop their leadership potential, and seek to change history by impacting this generation of young people with a message of eternal hope.