St Vincent de Paul Society NSW

Domestic and Family Violence has consistently rated as the leading reason for people seeking assistance from our specialist homelessness services. More than 1,700 women and children were supported through these services in the last year. Sadly, as a result of demand, our services were unable to respond to 400 enquiries for support, largely due to lack of available accommodation. St Vincent de Paul Society NSW supports the #16DaysofActivism against Gender-Based Violence and the need to ensure services are equipped to respond in times of crisis. We believe that everyone should be able to live safely within their own homes and be treated with respect in their relationships.

Valued members of the 2025 Vinnies CEO Sleepout Deep Sleeper Club went hands on Monday night, when they were invited to take part in a Vinnies Van run and got to see first-hand how this vital service supports those in the community we assist. The Vinnies Van is a mobile outreach service that receives significant funding from the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, and operates nightly, delivering not just essential items but also a friendly presence to those in need. Beyond immediate assistance, the Vinnies Van serves as a gateway to Vinnies' comprehensive wraparound services, connecting individuals to housing support, health and welfare referrals, and other essential programs aimed at addressing the root causes of homelessness and disadvantage. Accompanied by St Vincent de Paul Society NSW Chief Executive Officer, Yolanda Saiz and Manager Vinnies Vans Volunteers and Regional Operations Metropolitan, Josie Charbel, the group found the evening both informative and meaningful as they got to hand out meals, snacks and drinks while chatting with Vinnies clients who benefit directly from these essential services. A big thank you to Grant Steward of Consep Pty Ltd, Tom Brady of Brefni, Tony Wishart and Dominic Sullivan of PAYCE, Scott Kelly of Real Asset Management Group, and Arsene Durand-Raucher and his guest, Lucy Loadsman of Transdev Light Rail in Sydney for taking time out of their busy schedules and joining us on the ride-along. If you’d like to take part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, registrations are now open for 2026. Click the link here to sign up: https://lnkd.in/g5r-3VRa

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women coincides with the first day of the #16DaysofActivism Against Gender-Based Violence. Concerningly, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that one in four women have experienced domestic and family violence since the age of 15. The St Vincent de Paul Society NSW believes that “Everyone should be able to live safely within their own homes and be treated with respect in their relationships. Working towards a society where people are protected from violence and abusive relationships means reducing the pressures that heighten the risk of domestic and family violence.” Our position on Ending Domestic and Family Violence, along with recommended policy actions, is detailed in our Social Justice Statement: https://lnkd.in/g7eduZTe

Our new Penrith Mega Store opened to incredible community support over the weekend, with lines out the door, a buzzing shop floor, and hundreds of happy customers. With more than 25,000 units of clothing, homewares, and unique bric-a-brac on offer, there truly was something for everyone, and with Christmas just around the corner, many shoppers found one-of-a-kind gifts for loved ones whilst giving back. Every purchase at Penrith Mega Store helps fund vital St Vincent de Paul Society NSW services that provide food, clothing, housing support, and financial assistance to locals facing hardship. Thank you to everyone who stopped by and helped make a difference. Find your nearest Vinnies Shop today: https://lnkd.in/gDb3c2hz

What an incredible day at Hilton Sydney. The inaugural Hilton Sydney Cricket Club brought Aussie sporting legends to the heart of the city to support Vinnies Vans. Cricket stars like Michael Clarke took to the pitch and the match was followed by engaging lunch discussions with NRL legends and the broader rugby community. Thanks to the generosity of Hilton Sydney, our partners, and guests, we raised over $40K. These funds will help us stock our Vinnies Vans with food and essentials, allowing us to continue supporting those who need it most. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and made this day possible.

As Inclusion @ Work Week comes to an end, we wanted to share moments that show what inclusion looks like across our services and programs. From open days and a Community Greening Day to shared skills and unexpected reunions, it has been a week to remember. We look forward to next year’s Inclusion @ Work Week and will continue to put connection and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. 🤝Diversity Council Australia Ltd

When people in Wagga Wagga fall on hard times, the team at Edel Quinn is there to offer a hand up. Damien Adams oversees our homelessness and housing services in the region, working with the Edel Quinn team to help people gain housing and sustain tenancies. Damien’s dedication to delivering for the people Edel Quinn assists has seen him recognised with an Argyle Housing Stakeholder Award. Learn more about the impact Damien and the Edel Quinn team are making in the community: https://lnkd.in/gNXha8F6

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW is proud to launch our latest research report, developed in partnership with The McKell Institute: 'Equitable Transition: How the NSW Government Can Better Support Lower-Income Households Challenged by Energy Prices.' As NSW moves toward net zero, we’re calling for stronger protections so low-income households aren’t left behind. The report recommends: 🔹 More targeted energy rebates 🔹 Easier access to hardship and crisis supports 🔹 Improved energy efficiency for at-risk households We launched the report with a sector roundtable bringing together representatives from the Justice and Equity Centre (formerly the Public Interest Advocacy Centre), Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON), Sydney Alliance, COTA NSW, Justice and Peace Office, Tenants' Union of NSW and NSW Council of Social Service (NCOSS). It was also powerful to hear directly from our Vinnies Support Centres, who shared what they’re seeing every day: people struggling under the weight of rising energy bills and cost-of-living pressures. Achieving energy justice has been a foundational part of the support provided by the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW. Our founder, Frederic Ozanam, delivered firewood two centuries ago in post-revolution France and that same spirit of responding with warmth endures to this day.    You can download a copy of the report here: https://lnkd.in/g4PGTrbD

Spreading Christmas cheer with Vinnies Vans and Westfield Sydney. Last week, we hosted our first-ever sit-down Christmas lunch in Waterloo thanks to the generosity of Westfield Sydney. The Westfield Scentre Group (Owner of Westfield destinations in Aus and NZ) and Vinnies Vans teams came out in full force to serve, support, and care for some of the most vulnerable and isolated members of our community. This collaboration is a great example of what meaningful corporate partnership looks like - hands-on, community-focused and driven by impact. Together, we supported 380 people, with 15 receiving referrals for wraparound support and 2 assisted with immediate housing assistance. A huge thank you to everyone involved for helping create a warm and memorable experience. If your organisation is looking to volunteer as a team or explore opportunities to partner with St Vincent de Paul Society NSW please get in touch!

Inclusion @ Work Week celebrates diversity and inclusion in the workplace each year. Diversity Council Australia Ltd is commemorating its 40th anniversary in 2025 by focusing on the progress that has been made so far and where workplaces are headed in the future. St Vincent de Paul Society NSW aspires to shape a more just and compassionate society for all. Inclusive and diverse workplaces play an important role in realising that vision. Learn more about how we can all play a part in shaping inclusive workplaces.