US HOW CAN HELP

YOU

HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

CONTENTS

OVERVIEW ________________________________________________3

HISTORY __________________________________________________4

EDUCATION __________________________________ 5

YOUTH ____________________________________ 7

HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS _______________________ 9

CHILD & FAMILY ______________________________ 11

DRUG & ALCOHOL RECOVERY ______________________ 13

MIGRANT & REFUGEE ______________________________________15

MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITY _____________________ 17

AGED CARE _________________________________ 19

FINANCIAL WELLBEING _________________________ 21

GOVERNANCE _______________________________ 23

OTHER CORPORATE SUPPORT OPTIONS ________________ 25

3

OVERVIEWA BRIEF OVERVIEW OF HOW YOU CAN HELP US.

St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland

(Vinnies) couldn’t help so many

Queenslanders without the support it

receives from local business community

partnerships – both big and small.

This rich history of support through

partnerships enables us to help people

suffering disadvantage including those at

risk of homelessness or already homeless,

those facing domestic and family violence,

and people struggling with drug and alcohol

dependency, and so many others.

How you can help us outlines the support

we’re giving across the state, and the many

and varied ways your organisation can do its

part by being part of Vinnies ‘good works’.

To start exploring ways you and your

organisation can help please contact:

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACTKhatra Nekzad

State Coordinator Corporate and Events

07 3010 1091 / 0438 477 490

Khatra.Nekzad@svdpqld.org.au

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACTRichard Langford

Fundraising Manager

07 3010 1078 / 0419 739 318

Richard.Langford@svdpqld.org.au

4

We are an international, voluntary, lay Catholic

organisation dedicated to tackling poverty

and disadvantage by providing assistance to

anyone in need.

Now fondly referred to as ‘Vinnies’ here in

Australia, the St Vincent de Paul Society was

founded in France by a group of students in

1833, led by Blessed Frederic Ozanam, whose

key purpose was serving the poor in Paris.

Around 21 years later, the first Australian group

of members, called a ‘Conference’, formed

in 1854 in Victoria. By 1949, every Australian

State and Territory had founded a Conference

and Brisbane’s Red Hill founded the first in

Queensland in 1894. Today the Society has

more than 950,000 members in 150 countries.

Our volunteers, often called ‘Vincentians’ or

‘Conference members’, are at the heart of what

we do. People who belong to a Conference visit

people in their homes or welcome them in our

support centres.

In Queensland, Vinnies is made up of almost

3000 Vincentians belonging to 210 Conferences

supported by other volunteers and employees

who dedicate their time doing good works in all

regional and remote communities across the

state.

HISTORYA BRIEF OVERVIEW OF ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY QUEENSLAND.

5

We aspire to transform and empower the

lives of people in need through education,

and the dignity of self-reliance it brings.

We offer a variety of post-school education

pathways to people facing barriers to learning

and who have experienced disadvantage

including long term unemployment, mental

health issues, homelessness, disability and

poverty.

OVERVIEW

Clemente

Clemente is a tuition-free, university

accredited program designed to help

build aspirations and confidence through

education. The program is open to anyone

over the age of 18 who has encountered

trauma or setback in their lives. Participants

engage in a two year program (four subjects

over four semesters) with a university partner

where, upon completion, they will obtain a

university certificate which allows entry to

university and can be used as credit towards

further study.

Clemente is currently available in Brisbane

in partnership with the Australian Catholic

University, and in Toowoomba with the

University of Southern Queensland.

Skilling Queenslanders for Work

Skilling Queenslanders for Work delivers

courses in a supported learning environment

where participants can access. Support

includes classroom assistance to assist

students in completing the qualification,

real world work placement, combined with

job readiness and assistance entering

employment beyond the course.

The program provides training to people

who are unemployed, or under-employed

in the labour market, as well as building the

skills of young people, Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people, people with disability,

mature-age job seekers, parents re-entering

the workforce, and people from culturally and

linguistically-diverse backgrounds, including

asylum seekers and refugees.

Our training model combines weekly face-

to-face training sessions with a Registered

Training Organisation (RTO), one-on-one

support with a case worker and hard copy

resources.

Through the support of the Queensland

State Government’s Skilling Queenslanders

EDUCATION

6

for Work initiative (www.training.qld.gov.au/

community-orgs/funded/sqw), we are able

to offer the program at no cost to eligible

participants.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT

Corporate volunteering - staff can provide

time and expertise to:

• be a Learning Partner to Clemente

students

• be a guest speaker for industry specific

topics in a classroom environment (one

off commitment)

• mentor students on getting job ready,

interview skills, recruitment and career

advice (one off commitment)

• mentor a student for 3-6 months through

training and into employment (1 hour/

week for 3-6 months).

Work experience - provide students the

opportunity to undertake work experience

with your organisation (where applicable

based on the program of study or training).

Employment - provide employment

opportunities for graduates with your

organisation, including traineeships or

apprenticeships (employer incentives

available).

Training venue - providing a training room

on a weekly basis for the duration of the

course.

Tailored training packages - partner with

us to deliver future vocational or community

training programs including input to the

development of a training package designed

to meet your industry recruitment needs.

Financial - financial support to deliver the

Clemente program in Toowoomba and

Brisbane, which costs approximately $1,500

per student per semester or $6000 per

student to complete the full program.

In its very early stages of development is a

new state-wide education response which

we expect to pilot in 2019. Watch this space!

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

7

We deliver free programs for vulnerable and

marginalised children, as well as training

and leadership opportunities for young

volunteers.

OVERVIEW

Programs are run across Queensland by

volunteers aged 16-35. They meet regularly

(usually monthly) to plan and deliver

programs and build community with one

another. Their work is overseen by a Brisbane

administration team.

Buddies Days

Children aged 8-12 enjoy free and safe day

out, away from the routines and influences of

their normal home situation. Volunteers aged

over 16 plan fun and engaging activities for

the children as well as be role models.

SENSE Mentoring

An adventure-based learning program

provides support, encouragement and

positive role models to young people

aged 13-17. Many of the participants are

marginalised, socially isolated or have

been affected by a significant family or

environmental event. Volunteers aged over 18

provide their time and talents to support and

mentor once a month in a community setting.

Kids Camps

Kids Camps offer care and respite to families

in need with children aged 8-17 with a safe,

enjoyable, free holiday camp that they would

not normally have access to. Kids Camps

operate up to four times annually throughout

South East Queensland.

Palm Island Immersion

Twice a year, volunteers immerse themselves

within the Palm Island community, engaging

with Elders and local schools to learn more

about their history and way of life.

Volunteer Outreach Initiative &

Community Engagement (VOICE)

A companionship-based home visitation

program that reaches out to marginalised

and isolated youth who have been homeless

or are at risk of becoming homeless.

Soccer Stars

Offers children aged 8-11 a free recreational

soccer iprogram in a relaxed non-competitive

environment.

Street Retreats

Creating awareness and educating school

students about the realities of homelessness

and taking action.

YOUTH

8

School Programs

Numerous partnerships with schools across

Queensland that engage young people in

local social action activities.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT

Corporate volunteering

• provide time and expertise to train our

dedicated group of volunteers on topics

such as leadership, first aid, program

management, and skills-based training.

Can be delivered as a one off or ongoing

enagagement.

• staff can also become a program

volunteers or mentors (must be aged

16-35) to provide a positive influence

and help develop the skills of young

people engaged in our programs. Time

commitments vary across programs,

however general commitment would

be half to one day per month, with a

minimum commitment of six months.

Communication/Marketing

Help us to develop a promotional video for

programs.

Equipment and materials

• provide access to buses for camps and

other activities

• purchase sports equipment, games, food,

or other resources for our programs

• provide or purchase software, iPads, and/

or apps.

Financial

Provide financial support to deliver one

session or annual support of one of our youth

programs:

• Buddies Days ($200 per outing x 10

months)

• SENSE Mentoring - ($250 per outing x 10

months)

• Kids Camps - $10,000-$15,000 per camp

for resources, catering, accommodation

and transport costs

• Palm Island Immersion - $500 per trip

• Soccer Stars - $1,000 p.a.

• VOICE - $250 per month provides a meal

for 35 residents at a housing facility in

South Brisbane.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

9

Our specialist homelessness service model,

Cornerstone, assists people experiencing or

at risk of homelessness to access long-term

housing and support to maintain tenancies.

OVERVIEW

Through our homelessness services we

are determined to stand by those whose

circumstances disadvantage them from

accessing and sustaining safe, secure and

affordable accommodation. We advocate

on their behalf, strive to provide them with

appropriate housing options and encourage

them to become part of a viable, creative

community where they are respected for who

they are and not for what they have.

Cornerstone

Cornerstone’s principles are:

• accessing housing as quickly as possible,

with ongoing support to establish and

consolidate a new tenancy

• minimising moves between multiple short

term accommodation arrangements

• providing tenancy sustainment support to

maintain housing

• working with other service providers to

deliver coordinated services once housed.

We have specialist homelessness services

throughout Queensland.

Mobile Support for Young People

Sunshine Coast and Townsville

Our mobile support service offers support

to young people aged 16-25 who are at risk

of homelessness or who need to transition

to sustainable, independent housing. We

collaborate with other providers, advocating

to help access crisis accommodation,

employment services, social activities and

other identified needs. People with complex

requirements are offered up to 12 months

support.

Cornerstone Roma, Warwick, Gold Coast,

Nambour and Gladstone

Individuals and families who are homeless

or at imminent risk of homelessness receive

case management support and referral

services in the private rental market to enable

them to sustain their tenancies and prevent

homelessness. We do this by providing an

early intervention response and by working

closely with local real estate agents.

In some locations Cornerstone provides

emergency accommodation to individuals

HOUSING & HOMELESSNESS

10

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

and families who are homeless. Staff help

to stabilise their life and assist them in

addressing their housing barriers, aiming to

transition into independent housing.

Families Back On Track (FBOT)

A unique transitional accommodation

program which provides safe and affordable

housing and support for single parents and

their children. The program offers wrap

around support service and strengths based

case management to build resilience and

empower families to ‘get back on track’ by

sustaining long term housing, employment

and financial independence.

In collaboration with other agencies and

statutory bodies, FBOT provides short to

medium term accommodation and wrap

around support services to help families

successfully integrate back into the

community. Tenants are able to stay for as

long as needed whilst receiving intensive

support and case management. Services

include:

• drug, alcohol and gambling addiction

assistance

• childhood education

• counselling

• parenting classes

• cooking and hygiene classes

• budget counselling.

While many of our Child and Family services

are government funded, we engage in

numerous community activities and

programs that complement their work and

enhance the successful outcomes for their

families. This has included the establishment

of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social

groups for mothers, and running parenting

workshops for the broader community.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT

Equipment and materials

Provide transition packs for people

transitioning into a new home that may

include: white goods; linen; and furniture.

Wellbeing and life skill programs

Provide expertise to deliver or support

workshops, increasing skills and knowledge

in: financial literacy; energy/water saving;

tenant rights; parenting; drug and alcohol

addiction; and mental health. Funding

estimate: $2,000 per region.

Financial

• Brokerage - $4,000 per program

attributed to items such as education

costs, counselling, medical fees, legal

support, material aid, or payment of utility

bills/rent arrears

• Cornerstone Gold Coast is fully funded

by us through donations. $250,000 p.a.

covers operational expenses of the

facility, staff (2 x social workers), and

additional running costs relating to client

brokerage and volunteer coordinators

assistance

• Cornerstone Warwick requires limited

capital works to its building.

11

We support families to improve the safety

and wellbeing of children in their home and

reduce the need for children to enter, or re-

enter, the statutory system.

OVERVIEW

We offer the following Queensland

Government-funded services:

Tertiary Family Support Services (Family

Intervention Services)

We support families to address child safety

concerns while supporting individual, parent

and family needs. We offer a non-judgmental

service with respect for the individual.

This service is located in Toowoomba,

Gympie, Maryborough, Bundaberg and

throughout South East Queensland.

Targeted Family Support Services

These services provides child-centred,

family-focussed counselling and family

support for vulnerable children (0-18 years),

and their significant others, with the aim

of preventing entry or re-entry to the child

protection system. Services are located in

Beenleigh and Kingston.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT

Corporate volunteering

• become volunteer family mentors to help

Community Support Workers embed the

skills learned through parent education

sessions and support groups. The time

commitment varies for this option

• help our clients to get to appointments,

assist them with issues such as finding

housing, attending Centrelink etc.

Volunteers are required to provide their

own transport.

Equipment and materials

• provide resources and learning materials

for our Indigenous program (Stronger

Women’s Group).

Financial

• provide brokerage support - $4,000 per

program attributed to items such as

education costs, counselling, medical

fees, legal support, material aid, or

payment of utility bills/rent arrears

• provide early intervention and prevention

service assistance. This is a pilot program

working with families with children aged

0-8 from vulnerable and marginalised

CHILD & FAMILY

12

families, through the provision of early,

solution focused, goal directed, and

practical parenting support. (Total cost

$45,000)

• provide assistance to our Families Back

on Track program by offering to support

costs of child care while a student is

taking part in centre group training

sessions (living skills, parenting classes

etc).

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

13

Gillies House is a live-in residential detox

service in Brisbane designed to help

individuals recover from the effects of

addiction to drugs and alcohol.

OVERVIEW

Gillies House

We provide accommodation and wrap-

around support to men recovering from

alcohol and drug addiction. In operation for

over 40 years, last year it supported more

than 20 men transition from treatment for

addiction to successful reintegration into

society. The program helps men acquire the

skills and coping mechanisms needed to

avoid relapse, live independently and build a

safer future for themselves, their families and

the broader community.

Gillies House provides a safe and supportive

home-like environment for up to six men

at any one time. The building is owned

by Queensland Health who also fund our

case workers and together with tenants,

they oversee the running of the house. A

committee reports to QLD Health using

their designated reporting systems. Men

are self-referred from word of mouth, social

media, and community groups. They are

offered a lease of six months, with a review

every three months and depending on the

duration of need have the ability to extend

the tenancy month by month. As part of

the registration, men must sign up to Gillies

House rules which include a commitment to

case management support and interventions.

Individualised tailored supports include exit

strategies and transition plans beyond Gillies

House.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT

Corporate volunteering

Provide an independent living program/

workshops (expertise needed to deliver or

support workshops aimed at increasing the

skills and knowledge of clients, ranging from

financial literacy, energy/water saving, tenant

rights, routines, parenting, drug and alcohol,

mental health, etc).

Alternatively you could help us fund

professional support, cost approx. $2,500.

Equipment and materials

• provide gym equipment, gardening/

lawn mowing equipment, tools, and/or

resources for the residents’ community

garden).

DRUG & ALCOHOL RECOVERY

14

Financial

• Brokerage - $2,000 to provide costs

associated with finding employment e.g.

training, licenses, or certificate course

costs

• Psychologist costs - $5,000 p.a.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

15

We offer newly arrived migrants and refugees

support in adjusting to Queensland life.

Our services include case management,

social engagement activities and English

language tutoring.

Most recently we offered assistance to

migrants and refugees coming out of

detention and transitioning into independent

living within local communities.

A free migration and visa legal advice service

is also provided by appropriately qualified

volunteers.

OVERVIEW

Refugee families who are assisted through

our programs come from many different

countries including: Afghanistan; Sudan;

Myanmar; Iraq; Vietnam; Syria; Burundi;

Somalia; Tigrinya; Congo; Liberia; Iran;

Bhutan; and Eritrea. Our programs aim to

support all members of the refugee family

as they settle into life in Australia - to

assist them in building community links,

and empowering them to access everyday

opportunity available to all Australians.

Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and

Community Support (VoRTCS)

A volunteer-driven initiative providing

free in-home tutoring and community

support for newly settled refugee families

in Brisbane, Ipswich and Logan. VoRTCS

assists families by encouraging them to

utilise the educational, vocational and social

opportunities. A team of volunteers help

with: reading; writing; conversational skills;

budgeting; completing forms; basic school/

TAFE course work; confidence building;

general integration; and understanding the

Brisbane community. While no age restriction

exists, the majority of our clients have school

aged children.

Settlement Services

Settlement Services is a federally-funded

program delivered in south west Brisbane

aimed at overcoming barriers to settlement.

The program supports people from 1-5 years

after their arrival into Australia.

Support can include:

• assisting with housing issues (e.g. finding

and applying for rental properties,

assisting with bond loan applications and

understanding tenancy rights and issues)

MIGRANT & REFUGEE

16

• assisting clients to access services (e.g.

interpreters, transport)

• running group information sessions about

tenancy and citizenship related matters

• conducting advocacy to address systemic

housing relation issues.

Migrant Advice Service

Provides free migration and visa legal

advice by appropriately qualified volunteers

to people in need. MAS is serviced by

volunteers and advise is provided by

qualified migration agents registered with

the Migration Agents Registration Authority

(MARA).

Refugee Airfare No Interest Loans

Specifically designed to reunite families, this

program provides the full cost of airfares for

members of families who were left behind

and who now are coming to Australia.

Special Works

We have other local support programs

designed to meet unique needs and aimed

at social inclusion (e.g. sewing groups, food

classes, etc).

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT

You can become a VoRTCS family mentor

and provide in-home tutoring and community

support to newly settled refugee families.

This program requires a time commitment

of 1-2.5 hours per week and a minimum

commitment of 12 months. Training sessions

will be provided while a Police check and

blue card are required before volunteering

can commence.

Equipment and materials

• provide or purchase sewing machines,

and sewing materials and other items for

our refugee sewing club

• provide or purchase learning resources

and materials for our students in the

VoRTCS program, or homework clubs.

Financial

• kid’s camp participation (via Vinnies

Youth) - $2,000

• community picnics and events

sponsorship - $500

• training and resource development -

$1000

• homework clubs - $400 ($10 per day for 1

homework group per week over 40 weeks)

• sewing classes - $2,000 (24 x ½ hour

sessions per year)

• computer classes - $6,000 p.a.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

17

We are a registered National Disability

Insurance Scheme (NDIS) provider, delivering

services to the regions in Queensland where

the scheme has been introduced. We also

provide services to people living with a

disability in their home and in the community

who are not eligible for the NDIS.

OVERVIEW

The mission of the our disability service

program is ‘to provide support to people

with disabilities to live the life they chose as

members of their communities, where their

contributions are valued and their needs are

meet with the upmost dignity and respect.’

We do this by supporting people with

individual planning where they sets goals and

create a plan with the purpose of improving

their quality of life. Planning covers several

domains of a person’s life, including: health;

safety; communication; living skills; finances;

social networks; behaviour; emotional; and

spirituality. Our support workers assist

individual’s living on their own, or in shared

accommodation, to live as autonomously

as possible in and out of the home. With

the right support, people with disabilities

undertake various activities as outlined

below:

Daily living tasks

• support to organise and manage daily

living

• personal care

• health and wellbeing

• community access for various activities.

Community, social and civic activities

• being involved in local community

• exploring recreational, creative and

sporting opportunities

• maintaining or developing new skills

• community access to activities

• linking to employment and education

opportunities

• assistance to plan holidays and special

events.

Together we focus on a person’s ability

and not their limitations and strive to create

positive experiences for every person we

support.

Compeer

Compeer brings together friendly volunteers

and people experiencing mental illness. We

MENTAL HEALTH & DISABILITY

18

aim to improve the quality of life and self-

esteem of adults diagnosed with a mental

illness through one-to-one friendship with

caring volunteers.

Our service is currently only available on the

Sunshine Coast however other locations may

become available if funding is secured.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT

Corporate volunteering

You can become a Sunshine Coast-based

Compeer volunteer and offer one-to-one

friendship to someone diagnosed with a

mental illness.

This program requires a time committment

of 1.5-2 hours per week and a minimum

committment of 12 months. Training sessions

will be provided while a Police check and

blue card are required before volunteering

can commence.

Property

Acquisition of property for people with

disabilities who are not eligible for social or

community housing and are unable to secure

accommodation in the private market due to

complex support needs. Our intention is to

provide stable affordable accommodation

that will met a person’s individual needs and

modified accordingly.

Financial

Financial or in-kind support to provide

special outings for people with a disability

who maybe socially isolated or experiencing

personal difficulties (e.g. attending the

football in Brisbane, concerts, pamper days,

weekends away). Financial donations will

support the payment of wages, admission

charges, etc, while in kind contribution of

tickets, vouchers and accommodation are

welcomed.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

19

We are commited to supporting people

as they grow older by helping them feel

secure in their own home and maintain their

personal independence.

OVERVIEW

Home Assist Secure (HAS)

Funded by the Queensland Government -

Department of Housing and Public Works

HAS is designed to support those over 60

years of age and/or with a disability. Our

aim is to ensure they feel safe in their home,

improve physical access to that home, and

incorporate home security routines into their

daily activities. We provide free information

and referrals about home maintenance, falls

prevention, home repairs/modifications and

home security.

Our service is available in Mackay, Gold

Coast South and the Redlands.

Home Maintenance and Modification

Program (HMMP)

Our service is available for those over 65

years of age and/or with a disability. We aim

to assist individuals to live independently in

their own home and reducing admission to

residential care by offering subsidised home

maintenance or modifying of their home.

The service is jointly funded by the Federal

Government – Commonwealth Home Secure

Program and Queensland Government –

Queensland Community Care Program.

Home modifications

• simple/minor - installation of grab/modular

rails, ramps and wedges, bed/chair

raisers

• complex/major – bathroom conversation,

large ramps.

Home maintenance

• minor electrical - light switch, power point,

ceiling fan repair/replacement

• minor plumbing - dripping tap, leaking

pipe, leaking toilet repairs

• handyman services – light bulb

replacement, smoke alarm repair/

replacement/installation (installation not

applicable for hard wired), installation/

replacement of door locks (including

deadbolt), fixing/replacing door hinges,

re-meshing fly screens (no security

screens).

AGED CARE

20

Cleaning

• gutters

• ceiling fan/aircon

• windows (external, low set only)

• rubbish removal.

Garden maintenance

• lawn mowing

• yard tidy.

Our service is currently provided in the Gold

Coast, West Moreton, South Brisbane and

Roma areas.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT

There are many ways you can join us and

become part of the solution for elderly

individuals who require assistance on a daily

basis, including providing financial and/or in-

kind support.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

21

Our core work involves supporting vulnerable

people and those at risk of financial

disadvantage to navigate financial crises

and build financial wellbeing, capability and

resilience; manifesting itself in financial self-

reliance and independence.

OVERVIEW

Child and Family Support Services

We provide financial and material aid

(incl. food and/or food vouchers, clothing

vouchers for use in Vinnies shops) to people

in immediate need. We also offer advice and

referral to specialist support services within

the local community. Support is provided

either via Family Support Centres or home

visitation. Many goods are donated by the

community for distribution by the centre.

Food Distribution

Across the State, quality food at low or no

cost is made available to people struggling to

feed themselves and their families.

Financial Wellbeing Services

No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) will lend

up to $1,200 to low income earners, with low

repayments from $20 per fortnight, for the

purchase of essential household items such

as refrigerators, washing machines, beds,

lounges and television.

StepUP is a low interest, unsecured

personal loan offered in partnership by

National Australia Bank and Good Shepherd

Microfinance and is facilitated through

the Society across Queensland. StepUP

provides safe and affordable credit to people

who are on low incomes to enable the

purchase of essential goods and services

such as: buy/repair motor vehicle; household

furniture and white goods; computer

equipment; funeral expenses and medical or

educational expenses.

Budgeting advice and no interest or

low interest loans are also offered to

those experiencing financial stress. Our

microfinance loans help people buy essential

household items, pay medical bills or repair

their cars.

Disaster Relief

Our role in a disaster is to provide those

affected, particularly evacuated people with

essential material items, such as blankets,

toiletries, mattresses, essential new clothing,

FINANCIAL WELLBEING

22

food, and water. We continue to work

with disaster victims when the initial crisis

response is over to ensure they have support

to rebuild their lives.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SUPPORT

Corporate volunteering

• provide expertise in financial services,

energy, utilities to deliver education

workshops and develop resources

• provide training in mental health,

communication skills, cultural diversity,

interviewing, conflict resolution and

negotiation

• help our volunteers to pack and/or

distribute Christmas hampers in the lead

up to Christmas. Time commitments vary

based on location, and nature of task.

Equipment and materials

• provide or purchase items for our

volunteers to allocate to support people

in need. This can be food items/food

vouchers, furniture or other household

items or new and preloved clothing

• provide complete or in part Christmas

hampers for allocation to people and

families in need.

Financial

• purchase food vouchers for distribution to

people in need – any value.

HOW YOU CAN HELP US

23

We, St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland,

are a lay Catholic organisation dedicated

to tackling poverty and disadvantage by

providing assistance to anyone in need.

We rely on our State Council (board) to

effectively govern our various activities and

relationships that make up the organisation.

Our State Council is made up of members

and supported by advisory committees

established to manage activities requiring

specific capability and expertise.

OVERVIEW

The following advisory committees provide

expertise to the board;

• Audit and Risk Committee – responsible

for annual financial statement review

and sign off recommendations;

implementation of the Internal Audit

Plan including independent audit skills

and reviews of programs, services and

operations.

• State Retail Strategic Committee –

develops the retail strategy, best practice,

growth and sustainability for the Vinnies

retail shops across Queensland.

• Childrens Education Fund – solicit and

assess applications from Conferences

to assist students from disadvantaged

families to integrate into the school

community.

• Education Services Committee – provides

advice and guidance and strategic

direction for Education Services activities

and programs.

• Disaster Recovery Committee – manages

the distribution of disaster funds to

Conferences during periods of disasters.

• Finance Committee – provides advice

on financial matters including the

annual budget, material budgeted asset

purchases and sales, current actual

performance and impacts on overall

capital position. Also oversees the

management of the Society’s financial

investment portfolio.

• Membership Committee – focus on

developing strategies and resources to

assist in the recruitment and retention of

membership.

• Overseas Partnership and Development

Committee – provides assistance to

the Asia-Pacific region with the aim of

empowering people assisted to have a

more comfortable life.

GOVERNANCE

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HOW YOU CAN HELP US

• Property Committee – provides specialist

advice on a range of issues pertaining

to real property, including acquisitions,

disposals, leasing, performance

evaluation and asset management.

• Social Justice Committee – advises State

Council on a range of social justice issues

and advocates and reports of issues vital

to the core business of the Society.

• Spiritual Development and Skills Training

Committee – provides support and

training assistance to Membership

and Development Officers and assists

members to enhance their Vincentian

vocation by providing resource support.

• Volunteer Refugee Tutoring and

Community Support (VoRTCS) Committee

– provides strategic direction and

development of the program.

• Youth Committee – coordinates the

general activities and strategy of the State

Youth Department.

• Housing Company Board – provides

strategic direction and oversight of the

Society’s Housing Company.

Corporate volunteering

• Staff can provide expertise to the Society

by joining an advisory committee.

Commitments vary due to the frequency

of committee meetings and workload

requirements of each committee. Please

enquire further about the requirements

and positions available.

• The Society also operates a State

Administration which manages the

corporate functions of the organisation

at a state level. Pro-bono opportunities

are also available for organisations to

engage with and provide expertise to the

Society, in the functions of finance, legal,

communications, human resources, retail,

business development and audit. Please

enquire for further information on how

your organisation can assist.

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Transport

Our Vinnies shops rely heavily on

transportation to move goods across

the state. We are currently considering

partnering with a transport company to

assist. If you are able to provide assistance,

please let us know.

Dressed by Vinnies

Dressed by Vinnies is an easy and fun way to

support. Simply encourage staff or students

to purchase an outfit from a Vinnies shop and

ask everyone come along on an agreed day

in October.

Adopt a Shop

Please consider ‘Adopt a Shop’ - an initiative

whereby your organisation supports a local

Vinnies shop with collection of goods for

sale, clothing drives, etc.

Christmas

Christmas is a busy time for us and we need

all the support we can get to help make

Christmas a joyous time for all. Contact us

to find out how your organisation can get

involved.

General Collections

We provide emergency relief to families

throughout the year - mainly for food and

clothing. Collection of non-perishable food

stuff, shopping vouchers and Vinnies shop

vouchers are always needed.

Vinnies Community Sleepout

Vinnies Community Sleepout is a great

way to engage your staff and others in the

community and take part in a meaningful

activity to raise funds and awareness about

the ever-growing issue of homelessness.

Workplace Giving

Workplace giving is an easy way for

employees to provide a pre-tax donation to

Vinnies.

Corporate Matching

Please consider providing dollar for dollar

for funds raised or donated by staff. This

is proven to be a great motivator for staff

engagement and provide a real sense of

corporate social responsibility for your

employees.

OTHER CORPORATE SUPPORT OPTIONS

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