Formation The St Vincent de Paul Society and educators worldwide share in the mission to form the whole person — mind, heart, body and spirit. It is our spiritual quest to become fully human through service to those in need. Young people are keen to bring new ideas to help alleviate suffering or deprivation or to promote human dignity and personal integrity. No work of charity is foreign to the Society which works with educators, developing leadership in young people and challenging them to be ‘other centered.’
St Vincent de Paul Society (SA) Inc
School Resources Unit Ph: 8112 8725 Fax: 8112 8798 E: schools@svdpsa.org.au Web: www.svdpsa.org.au Tim Taylor Mob 0438 873 555
Bob Byrne Mob 0413 832 109
Making a Difference ...
Young People Beyond School … Vinnies Youth is a special work of the St Vincent de Paul Society for young adults aged between sixteen and thirty. The members volunteer their time to help out with a range of activities and programmes with a key focus on children and teenagers. Want to find out more? The Schools Resources Unit can arrange for a young adult to come and speak with senior students. Alternatively, direct contact can be made with our Youth Coordinator: Tania Elliott: 8112 8719 E: telliott@svdpsa.org.au
Add value to our partnership …
involve the parent community! Our participat ion in plann in g, developing workshops and piloting programmes enriches the learning experience and provide opportunities for young people to carry their beliefs into action.
SA
Our local St Vincent de Paul Volunteers are keen to speak with parent groups / young adults about service in your local community. The School Resources Unit can arrange for Society members to visit and speak to a gathering.
… Being the Difference
A Partnership of Social Justice
Action with Schools
Publication Date: 27th April 2010
Our School Community - joining in the ‘Good Works’ Current Involvement in Schools Making a Difference Being the Difference Don’t be limited by this—the list keeps growing! Working in Schools The School Resources Unit works to help young people understand that actions they take make a difference in other people’s lives. Who do we work with? We work with school communities at many levels
∗ Communities with initiatives across schools ∗ Vinnies groups − Mini Vinnies (Primary) − Young Vinnies (Secondary) ∗ Social Justice Groups ∗ Other student leadership groups ∗ Staff groups / meetings ∗ School Chaplains, Christian Pastoral Support Workers, Religious Education Coordinators, Social Justice Coordinators
Schools from all sectors, across the state
Working beyond school - Vinnies Youth We aim to link young adults already working for social justice in our community. Bringing together like-minded people Developing skills in leadership Developing sense of social justice issues and taking action
Visitation Programme A two week programme involving recycling of clothing. Begins with a twenty minute visit to each classroom and ends with a collection and a box placed permanently in school. Collections of food & gifts Normally to support a special cause: Winter or Christmas appeal. Begins with a focus on the need and people being assisted.
Community Service / Christian Service Placement / Work Experience Placements arranged for senior students. Induction provided and a challenge to understand the ‘heart behind service.’
Launching Special Appeals / Activities Talks given to develop understanding of need behind Society’s special programmes.
∗ Christmas / Winter Appeals ∗ Fred’s Vans (Our mobile food vans throughout metropolitan Adelaide)
∗ Assist a Student ($70 sponsorship of overseas child’s education)
Workshops / Talks ∗ Charity vs justice / personal feelings vs values ∗ Language and stereotype ∗ Service and Leadership ∗ Learning about the St Vincent de Paul Society and the nature of Charity and Justice ∗ Transforming the SRC to Action Groups ∗ The nature of poverty and homelessness. ∗ Staff professional Development days tailored to need ∗ Working with teachers and students to transform the SRC into a social justice action group ∗ Gathering of Like Minds - Networking senior students with young adults—post secondary pathways Vinnies Social Justice Awards The Awards celebrate the Good Works of young South Australians. Visit our website for details: www.vinnies.org.au/vinnies-social-justice-awardssa
Working with Leadership ∗ Planning with student leadership, providing resources & techniques, supporting & encouraging ∗ Planning with school leadership teams, networking teachers, CPSWs ∗ A unique link between educators and sectors as to ‘What’s going on in schools.’ Students Taking Action ∗ Supporting student initiatives ∗ Midweek Music - senior musicians playing ‘dinner music’ for homeless men. ∗ Fred’s Van - Cooking Making soups & slices for use at our vans. (Invite a Celebrity Chef!) ∗ Fred’s Van - Volunteering: regular roster on Fred’s Vans (senior students only) ∗ Blankets of Love: Making blankets for refugees new to our community ∗ Shoeboxes of Love: shoeboxes with contents targeted to a particular age group—given out at our Migrant and Refugee Centre. ∗ Welcome to SA Pictures: making welcome posters on A3 paper and laminating. These are for the walls of new arrivals. ∗ Comfort Packs: Simple toiletry packs for new arrivals, those released from prison and others ‘doing it tough.’ ∗ Appeals for donations ∗ Major Events: ‘Vinnies on Parade,’ Transforming school Formal. ∗ Micro-credit Activities to support Society microcredit schemes overseas. ∗ Visiting Vinnies Distribution Centre to see what happens to donated goods. ∗ Gardening Assistance Programme: Society acts as broker, arranging houses for students to ’backyard blitz’ with their teachers ∗ Volunteering in a Vinnies Centre or in other areas of the Society Do you have some skills to share? Becoming part of the Vinnies Youth network (See back panel for more information)