In partnership for women and families.
The Sisters of the Good Samaritan Foundation supports a number of Australian programs to assist those experiencing significant hardship. While initiated by Good Samaritan Sisters, some programs are now operated via partnerships that bring new possibilities and capacity. Although the number of vowed Sisters in Australia is diminishing, the Good Samaritan tradition of caring for the vulnerable and marginalised continues to find new expression and sustainability.
Good Samaritan Inn, Melbourne
The Good Samaritan Inn is experiencing higher demand for women and children’s crisis accommodation because of domestic violence and cost of living pressures. The surge in rent prices has many more desperate mothers knocking on the door in search of help. The Inn is about to start building a new 10-room facility with the help of a grant from the Victorian Government and an injection of funding from the Good Samaritan Foundation. The existing seven-room facility caters for women and their children in need of short-term help. The new building will provide a longer-term solution for stays of six months to a year, prioritising those who are especially vulnerable, including people without permanent residency.
I have never felt safe in my own home, but I feel safe here.
Guest Comment
Education Grants
Recognising the very important role of education in alleviating long term disadvantage, we provide an education grants program for students who are experiencing significant hardship. The program has been running since 2015. Each student is facing a challenge – it could be family violence, serious illness, refugee status or other circumstances. Application information is forwarded to eligible schools in August each year.
Every year the Good Sams Foundation and our benefactors support Australian students who can’t afford to continue their education in a faith-based school. Here’s feedback from a few of our 2023 Australian Grant recipients –
‘I received early entry into Wollongong University. If I couldn’t afford to continue to attend my current school, this wouldn’t have been possible.’
‘A HUGE thank you! You have no idea how much this grant has helped not only me but also our entire family. The fact that my sisters and I have been able to complete their entire schooling at the same school and the relief it has given my mum and dad has been great. To know we have all been supported during some of our families most difficult times.’
‘Receiving this grant meant that it applied less stress for my parents having to pay not only me but also my brothers school fees. It meant that I also got to stay and finish at the high school I started at with all my friends and supportive teachers.’
‘It has allowed my mum to focus on her health and recover from last year’s treatment rather than worrying about getting back to work. This in turn made me feel better as I saw her less stressed which enabled me to focus on doing the best I could at school as I knew there was less financial stress on both mum and dad.’
‘The ongoing support in an environment that I am happy and confident in whilst being supported by my friends and teachers that know exactly how I tick. This allows me to ask for assistance as I feel comfortable in this learning and supportive environment which will enable me to achieve my goals for next years HSC.’
Remote communities
Indigenous Program – Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa) is a remote Arrernte indigenous community approx. 85 kilometres south-east of Alice Springs with a population of about 550 people. The Good Sams Foundation supports the Ltyentye Apurte Sewing Program, a safe place for women to share their culture. We’re continuing to run our successful inter-generational sewing program at Ltyentye Apurte, which aims not only to help indigenous women develop their sewing skills but also to offer a safe place where older women can mentor younger women, building relationships and sharing stories and skills, while engaging in meaningful, purposeful activity. They then sell the items to generate income for themselves and their community.
The Good Sams Rural Outreach Program in remote Western Australia continues under the stewardship of the local Good Samaritan Oblates. Currently, we are supporting the Breakfast program at Mt Magnet and Three Springs primary schools, curriculum projects at the schools, the education of 2 indigenous students attending Nagle College in Geraldton, transport for rural women to attend programs/retreats in Perth. Thanks to the support of CCI’s Small Grants program, we are also commencing a trial program to support women in pastoral roles in remote locations.
