School and Community Engagement Volunteer

About this opportunity

We are looking for a school and community engagement volunteer to support our Western Sydney team to develop, strengthen and broaden community engagement amongst schools. Retired teachers or people with experience in educational settings are encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community. We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research. Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a family-friendly working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Western Sydney Program Since 2008, Jesuit Social Services has been building on the strengths of Western Sydney communities to support them to break out of cycles of disadvantage. We work in partnership with Mount Druitt’s Holy Family Parish, community leaders and local organisations. Mount Druitt has the largest urban Aboriginal population in Australia. Jesuit Social Services partners with Aboriginal organisations and Elders to deliver a series of culturally safe initiatives. Our suite of initiatives include:

• Ignite Food Store – we provide low cost, healthy, fresh food to families who are struggling. Buying a $30 hamper will deliver customers approximately $100 value through the addition of free produce.
• Ignite Op Shop – we provide high quality clothing, toys, books, furniture, household items, and bric-a-brac at low prices to the Mount Druitt community. Our Ignite Food Store and Op Shop are open five days a week and encourage local families to visit our store often and save money.
• Willmot Community Hub – we provide a welcoming space in the heart of Willmot to facilitate a number of groups and events with the community, including a weekly breakfast, after school and school holiday programs, a seniors’ group and NAIDOC celebrations. We partner with local residents and over 20 organisations to build a community resource right in the heart of Willmot. We work together with others to deliver a number of programs to the local community.
• School and community engagement – we support high school students to become more aware and active in social justice through volunteering. The program helps students and staff from Sydney to deepen their understanding of the experiences and struggles that many community members in Western Sydney grapple with every day.
• Willmot Currawong Kitchen – we provide healthy food options to children at the Willmot Public School canteen, offer catering throughout the local area, and deliver healthy food hampers to people experiencing food insecurity. Currawong Kitchen has an ecological framework of recovering and reusing food waste to provide healthy food to the school communities.
• Parenting support – we deliver therapeutic groups for women experiencing vulnerability during pregnancy and in their children’s early years.

OUTLINE OF VOLUNTEER'S SKILLS AND EXPECTATIONS

• Supporting program development through feedback and continuous improvement processes.
• Conduct administrative tasks to coordinate food drives and volunteering programs at the Store, Parish and School at Emerton, Community Hub at Willmot and the Open Pantry at Blackett
• Strong communication and relational skills with young people, teachers, educational leaders and priests.
• A strong appreciation for and commitment to maintaining privacy and confidentiality.
• Ability to volunteer autonomously.
• Experience in social justice and education related fields.
• Preferred but not essential volunteer experience in either public, independent or Catholic school contexts

CONFIRMED VOLUNTEERS WILL BE REQUIRED TO:

• Have understanding and sympathy with the mission and ethos of Jesuit Social Services
• Comply with relevant legislation including Jesuit Social Services policies and procedure
• Have valid Working with Children Check
• Successful interview, referee check, and Police Check conducted by Jesuit Social Services ( at no cost for volunteers)