Don’t want to start a social justice group? Or want to connect your group to some other social justice focused organisations? This is where you will find some suggestions! Also check out our Resources – Specific Issues section for organisations and campaigns attached to specific justice concerns, campaigns and organisations.

ACRATH stands for the Australian Catholic Religious Against Trafficking in Humans. They are endorsed by Catholic Religious Australia – the peak body for 190 religious orders in Australia, representing 8000 religious sisters, brothers and priests. ACRATH is committed to working against human trafficking and slavery in Australia, in the Asia-Pacific region and internationally.

There are approximately 20 to 30 million slaves in the world today. Trafficking primarily involves exploitation which comes in many forms, including: forcing victims into prostitution, subjecting victims to slavery or involuntary servitude and compelling victims to commit sex acts for the purpose of creating pornography. To learn more, click here.

GET INVOLVED
ACRATH have different options for you to get involved including Anti-Slavery Campaigns, Social Media Advocacy and Research. Contact the team now, to find out more.

CONTACT 
Sister Noelene Simmons
NSW Coordinator
nswprojects@acrath.org.au

WEBSITE
www.acrath.org.au

The Australian Catholic Migrant and Refugee Office was established to advise and serve the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference on migrant and refugee issues, including the development of Church policy and acting as an official church voice. They dedicate their efforts towards the acceptance and settlement of Refugees and Migrants into Australia,  especially through efforts to influence Government policies in this area. They also seek to form Catholic Church policy in Australia for the Pastoral Care of Refugees and Migrants.

To learn find out more on the area of Asylum Seekers and Refugees, click here.

GET INVOLVED
There are opportunities to undertake an internship with the ACMRO, along with several others. Find out more by contacting their head office.

CONTACT
Joe Moloney
Research and Information Officer
joe.moloney@acmro.catholic.org.au

WEBSITE
www.acmro.catholic.org.au

Australian Volunteers Australia is a community of young adults working among poor and underprivileged people on behalf of The Augustinians in Australia. Our mission is to make a difference in our world by working in solidarity with those whose lives are marginalised by poverty, displacement or oppression.

GET INVOLVED
AVA offers opportunities to undertake placement with the organisations and outreach activities in Sydney’s underprivileged suburbs.

CONTACT 
Patrice Moriarty
pm12_88@hotmail.com

WEBSITE
www.osa.org.au/en/organisations/augustinian-volunteers-australia

Caritas is the international aid and development organisation of the Catholic Church in Australia. Caritas supports long-term development programs in impoverished communities in Africa, Asia, East Timor, Latin America, Indigenous Australia and the Pacific — helping oppressed people to rediscover their dignity by taking greater control over their lives and overcoming poverty.

Learn more about poverty, here.

GET INVOLVED
Caritas has a number of opportunities to join in campaigns aimed at reducing poverty across the world.

CONTACT
Mrs Belinda Carson Bourke
Regional Engagement Coordinator – Eastern Region
metsyd@caritas.org.au

WEBSITE
www.caritas.org.au

Cana Communities builds relationships and companions people who are lonely, homeless or suffering from mental ill health, addiction, or other factors that alienate them from society. Operating on an extended family model, Cana creates a community with all the love, chaos and frustration of a family, in which people can feel listened to and valued. They are about connecting people’s lives. People from all parts of society join in the simple act of sharing a meal which expresses our equality.

GET INVOLVED
Cana Community is in urgent need of Volunteers to befriend people at the inner city residential houses and at the farm and overnight volunteers at de Porres House for for male overnight volunteers at the Garden Shelter.

CONTACT
Terry and Caroline
Thursday nights
0429 539 025

Caroline
Tuesday nights
0417 255 297

Julie
Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday during the day
0414 649 153.

WEBSITE
www.cana.org.au

Catholic Mission is compelled by the message, life and love of Jesus Christ. Catholic Mission forms Australians for mission and raises funds for mission – in Australia and around the world. This enables heroic missionaries to reach out to help children and communities in need, and provide vital training for seminarians and other young church leaders.

GET INVOLVED
Catholic Mission provides various ways to volunteer and contribute to the work of the organisations. Learn more here. 

CONTACT
Sydney Office
9919 7800
admin@catholicmission.org.au

WEBSITE
www.catholicmission.org.au

Catholic EarthCare Australia is an ecological agency established by the Australia Catholic Bishops Conference. Its mission is to help promote understanding among people that creation is sacred and endangered and must be protected and persevered for present and future generations.

Learn more about Ecology issues, here.

GET INVOLVED
Get support to advocate and implement their sustainability program.

CONTACT
Terese Corkish
Community Support Officer
terese.corkish@catholicearthcare.org.au

WEBSITE
www.catholicearthcare.org.au

Catholic Youth Services (CYS) is the agency within the Archdiocese of Sydney serving youth and young adults. Catholic Youth Services aims to help young people come to an ever deeper encounter with Christ. This journey towards Christ is one that never ends, we all find ourselves at different places, and we continually invite young people to join us wherever they are at that time.

GET INVOLVED
CYS offers a range of events and activities that encourages young people to experience Jesus and be formed to Christians seeking justice and peace.

CONTACT
info@catholicyouthservices.org

WEBSITE
www.atholicyouthservices.org

The Peace, Ecology and Justice Centre works in partnership with other agencies, cultures and faith groups, offering inservice, forums and workshops.  They aim to build awareness in the Church and society of the connections between peace, ecology and justice, create a culture of Peace as a framework for these connections and take action on issues.

GET INVOLVED
If you are curious about their work and would like to know how you can be involved in their programs, campaigns and training, contact their team.

CONTACT
Anne Lanyon
Coordinator
annelanyon.cmi@columban.org.au

WEBSITE
www.columban.org.au

The Edmund Rice Centre is involved in a range of projects and activities across the four areas of its operation in research, community education, advocacy and networking. The Centre’s objectives are to:

• Conduct and encourage research into the causes of poverty and inequity in society, especially with regard to youth and Indigenous Australians.
• Promote teaching that supports awareness, understanding and action in the areas of justice and community issues.
• Promote experiential learning activities through organised and reflective immersion programs in Australia and internationally.
• Encourage the development of skills in advocacy and social action.
• Facilitate liaison and networking opportunities amongst agencies involved in social justice and community education activities.

GET INVOLVED
You could become involved in the Centre’s work:-

• by volunteering to assist in the office and with refugee and asylum-seeker support work.
• in the areas of writing, communication, fund-raising; lobbying and network building;
• by promoting products from our ERC Fair Trade program as a means of advocating for the Fair Trade philosophy, commerce model and certification process;
• by hosting a fund-raising event in your community.
• hosting a speaker from ERC staff within your local community;
• participating in a cross-cultural immersion program:-
  • in Australia visiting Aboriginal communities in northern NSW; or
  • internationally with our partners whose focus is also working for human rights

CONTACT
Homebush Office
8762 4200

WEBSITE
www.erc.org.au

The House of Welcome (HOW) is committed to serve asylum seekers and refugees without discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, sexuality and religion. They recognise that this group of people, displaced from their homes and homelands through war, conflict or persecution arrive in Australia suffering from trauma and loss; they are in need of help and accompaniment, especially those who have been further traumatised by lengthy periods in Immigration Detention and the difficulties of settlement.

GET INVOLVED
Great opportunities exist including; Drop-in Centre Reception, English Lessons, Social Outings & Activities, Mentoring & Befriending, Handyman Maintenance, Bookkeeping and Admin, Orientation for new arrivals, Fundraising and Community Engagement & Food Bank

CONTACT
Jo Hill
Volunteer Coordinator
9727 9290
volunteercoordinator@houseofwelcome.com.au

WEBSITE
www.houseofwelcome.com.au

The Friars’ Van heads out from the friary at Leichhardt to near St Mary’s Cathedral to give hot drinks and sweets to those experiencing different forms of poverty, hardship and homelessness. There are usually two friars and around five young volunteers.

GET INVOLVED
The van is parked about 50 metres from another van organised by another group distributing food. After collecting their food the people head down to the Friars'”Van for their hot drink of coffee, tea or chocolate and for some sweets.

The most important task of the friars and volunteers is the welcome given to the people. They spend time simply listening and speaking with them. On the streets these people experience suspicion and fear from passersby, and so are avoided by others. They experience marginalisation and loneliness. The friars and volunteers welcome them and ‘waste’ time with them.

CONTACT
capuchinfriars@gmail.com

WEBSITE
www.capuchinfriars.org.au

JCA was started in 1986 by Maria Sullivan, a Josephite sister and her dear friend Ian Chapman who appealed to friends for support, then went out and gathered a group of committed young volunteers to help her carry out their vision of friendship with people who were isolated by poverty. JCA provides practical help to people who are struggling to help themselves. We aim to empower those in unfortunate circumstance to become self supporting in their own lives.

GET INVOLVED
Being a volunteer run organization, JCA is an invitation to young people to really live out a selfless commitment to people who are poor and marginalised.

CONTACT
Sydney Office
(02) 9838 8802

Adrian Thompson
JCA Coordinator
0430 460 630

WEBSITE
www.jcaid.com

L’Arche aims to create communities where people with and without an intellectual disability live relationships of mutuality and trust. In Australia, L’Arche is an ecumenical, Christian organisation.

GET INVOLVED
There are a number of practical ways you can get involved including, providing transport; preparing a weekly meal; undertaking minor house maintenance; helping with a regular reading or letter writing session; make a regular visit to a household.

CONTACT
Krishnee Nair
9787 8132
sydney.admin@larche.org.au

WEBSITE
www.larche.org.au

Palms Australia recruits, prepares, sends and supports skilled volunteers to reduce global poverty, at the request of our partner communities in Asia, Africa.

Palms Australia started in Sydney in 1956 as the Paulian Association. Groups formed in around 100 communities to identify local issues, reflect on values and take appropriate action to address social inequality and assist people in need.

After identifying that similar issues needed to be addressed globally, in 1961, the program was extended to communities overseas which request the placement of volunteers to assist develop health, education and other facilities. More recently Palms volunteers have been “opening our hands to the world” in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, including communities in Tanzania, East Timor, Papua New Guinea and indigenous Australia.

GET INVOLVED
There are opporunities to volunteer overseas and expreience immersion programs. To find out more vist their website or contact their team today.

CONTACT
Sydney Office
palms@palms.org.au

WEBSITE
www.palms.org.au

Sydney Vinnies Youth workswith Primary, Secondary and Teritary insitatuions, parishes and community volunteers in youth volunteer programs, events and awareness raising initatives.

GET INVOLVED
THere are number of ways you can volunteer including Buddies’ Day; Brekky Van; Homework Help; Street Retreat. Find out more by visiting their website or contacting their team.

CONTACT
Paul Longobardi
Youth and Young Adult Coordinator
(02) 9350 9651
0418 441 797
paull@sydneyvinnies.org
youth@sydneyvinnies.org

WEBSITE
www.facebook.com/sydneyvinnies.youthteam

The Vocation Centre of the Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney serves people in discerning God’s call in their lives. They provide resources and opportunities to explore one’s vocation. There are a number of orders that engage in works relating to mercy and justice. If you are interested in exploring this with someone, contact their welcoming team.

CONTACT
Fr Michael de Stoop
Vocations Director
02 9390 5280
fr.michael.destoop@sydneycatholic.org

WEBSITE
www.vocationcentre.org.au

The YCW works to create a society, which actively seeks to support and respect the God-given dignity of each person. Through taking action and reviewing in communities, young people discover the deepest meaning and mission of their lives. The YCW is run FOR, BY, and WITH young people. Members of the Australian YCW consist of men and women aged between 16 – 30 years old who are students, professionals, volunteers, full-time, part-time, and casual workers, who gather in friendship groups to discuss key issues which are affecting their life.

GET INVOLVED
You can get involved with YCW through their campaigns and movements. Learn more by contacting the team.

CONTACT
Elizabeth Mcfarlane
02 9682 6719
elizabeth.mcfarlane@ycw.org.au

WEBSITE
www.ycw.org.au