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CatholicCare Victoria

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CatholicCare Victoria

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We empower communities, build strength and resilience, and work to help everyone reach their full potential.

CatholicCare Victoria is the social service agency of the four Catholic dioceses in Victoria.

13/10/2026

A place to call home. A community to belong to.

What a special day celebrating the official opening of 31 new social homes in Mitchell Park, Ballarat!

With 40 homes now part of the Mitchell Park community, more people and families have the safety, security and stability of a place to call their own.

But the real highlight of the day was the tenants themselves.

From welcoming us into their homes and sharing their personal journeys, to joining in the official ribbon cutting, tenants made this celebration truly meaningful.

One tenant shared her story of moving across Victoria before finally settling at Mitchell Park, and how grateful she is to now have a home and community to call her own.

These are the moments that remind us why access to safe and secure housing matters so much.

A big thank you to our government and project partners for helping make these homes possible, and to the wonderful Mitchell Park community for welcoming us.

Read more about this special milestone: 31 new social homes open in Mitchell Park, creating a community to call home

08/10/2026

Construction is now underway on CCVH’s new Shepparton housing development, which will create 41 social homes for people and families in need.

These new homes will support people in the Shepparton community who may face greater barriers to finding secure housing, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women and children impacted by family violence, older women, veterans and families with children.

Having a secure home is often the first step towards rebuilding other parts of life. These homes will give people and families a stable foundation from which to move forward, making it easier to stay connected to work, education, healthcare and community, and to focus on what comes next.

This milestone has been made possible through partnership with Housing Australia, the Australian Government, Catholic Development Fund (CDF), Affordable Housing Solutions (AHS) and Nicholson Construction.

Read more: https://lnkd.in/gUVJFvEm

07/10/2026

This first week of October (5-11 October) marks Kinship Care Week, an international celebration that recognises the carers who provide children with stability, care and connection during difficult times.

For many people, kinship care is a role they take on with little warning. Something has happened within the family, and suddenly they find themselves responsible for caring for a child. This may involve a grandparent raising a grandchild, an aunt caring for her niece, or a family friend opening their home when a child needs stability, care and support.

To recognise the important contribution of kinship carers, we spoke with two of CCV's Family Services practitioners and created a guide answering some of the most common questions people have when they become a kinship carer.

We're also sharing information about KINnected, CCV's free support group for kinship carers. The group provides an opportunity to connect with other carers, share experiences and access guidance from our specialist team.

Whether you're a kinship carer yourself or know someone who may be interested, learn more about KINnected and how to join the group here https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/services/family-support/kinship-care/

28/09/2026

For nearly seven years, David lived without stable housing, including periods living in the bush near Ballarat.

For years, life became focused on survival: finding somewhere safe to sleep, keeping warm and meeting basic needs.

When David was referred to CCV Housing Services (CCVH) after all those years, things began to change.

"The CCVH worker helping me went above and beyond to help me, understood me, listened to me, and accepted me. Having a place to be and the warm nature of the people who helped me is humbling."

Today, David is living in a CCVH home in Swan Hill, has recovered important documents, is focusing on his health, and is beginning to pursue goals and dreams that had been put on hold during years of homelessness.

Read David's story: https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/resources/davids-story-a-place-to-rebuild/

11/09/2026

Children don't always tell us something is wrong with words.

Sometimes, it starts with noticing a change, taking the time to listen and knowing when a child or family might need extra support.

For National Child Protection Week (6-12 September), we spoke with two CCV practitioners about what they've learned from working alongside children and families, and why keeping children safe is a shared responsibility.

Read our latest article, 'Keeping children safe is a shared responsibility', to learn more.

https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/resources/keeping-children-safe/

You can also explore CCV's free workshops for parents and carers, offering practical support for families at every stage of a child's development.

31/08/2026

Every detail in this artwork tells a story.

As part of CatholicCare Victoria's first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we invited Barkindji-Malyangapa and Fijian Indian artist Elisha Mangal from Mildura to create an artwork that reflects our organisation, the people and communities we work alongside, and our commitment to reconciliation

The result is Journey with CatholicCare.

Drawing on her understanding of CCV’s work supporting individuals, families and communities across Victoria,, Elisha carefully considered every element of the artwork. Community sits at its centre, with children surrounded by young people, adults and Elders. Pathways trace life's journeys, while circles represent gathering places, support and growth. Arches mark the hurdles people face, and footprints show the steps taken to move forward.

Even the rough, imperfect dots carry meaning.

"The dots aren't smooth because they represent what each individual has gone through to get where they need to be."

Through Journey with CatholicCare, Elisha reminds us that every person has their own story. While our paths may look different, we are connected through the relationships, support and communities that help us along the way.

Discover the story behind Journey with CatholicCare.
https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/resources/the-story-behind-the-artwork/

13/08/2026

What does it mean to have a place to call home?

During Homelessness Week, two Ballarat events invited the community to reflect on that question while raising awareness of homelessness and housing insecurity.

On the night of 31th July, on freezing Ballarat night, more than 30 people rolled out sleeping bags and spent the night outdoors as part of the CHHA Community Sleepout. As temperatures dropped below zero, participants gathered around a campfire to hear from three people with lived experience of homelessness, who openly shared their stories and answered questions from attendees.

A few days later at Lake Wendouree, a display of origami houses helped bring homelessness into public view. As part of the Victorian Homelessness Network's Houses at Parliament campaign, the installation encouraged people to reflect on the importance of safe and secure housing and the experiences of those who do not have a place to call home.

CCV staff from our Homelessness and Housing Support programs took part in both events, creating opportunities to hear lived experience perspectives, deepen understanding and reflect on how we can continue supporting people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

Together, the events encouraged meaningful conversations across our community while helping keep the focus on the people, families and stories behind the statistics.

Read the full story on our website. https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/resources/ballarat-community-comes-together-to-raise-awareness-of-homelessness

12/08/2026

Art helps tell stories that words sometimes cannot.

As part of Homelessness Week, CCV's Homes First Program proudly hosted the inaugural Homelessness Action Now Art Exhibition at Dudley House in Bendigo.

Featuring 73 artworks created by artists from across the Bendigo region, the exhibition brought together people with current and lived experience of homelessness, community members, service providers and supporters.

Through sculpture, painting, audio works, sketches and personal stories, the artwork prompted honest discussions about homelessness and housing insecurity, helping visitors connect with the stories and experiences behind each piece.

As one participant artist simply put it:

"Art keeps us alive."

The exhibition also had a lasting impact for many artists. Several artworks were sold, with proceeds going directly to the artists, while others gained confidence by sharing their work publicly and seeing it recognised and appreciated by the community.

CCV is grateful to everyone who attended, exhibited artwork, shared their stories, sponsored and contributed to making the event possible.

Read more about the Homelessness Action Now Art Exhibition
https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/resources/homelessness-action-now-art-exhibition

10/08/2026

Peplow House celebrates 50 years of supporting men through homelessness.

During Homelessness Week, current and former residents, CCV staff, supporters, partners and community members came together to celebrate this important milestone and reflect on the impact the service has had over the past five decades.

A highlight of the evening was hearing from people whose lives have been touched by Peplow House. One former resident shared:

"Peplow House gave me more than a roof over my head. It gave me time to breathe, people who believed in me, and the confidence to start rebuilding my life."

Today, Peplow House remains Ballarat's only crisis accommodation service for men, providing more than 2,500 nights of accommodation each year and supporting around 120 men through crisis, recovery and the search for long-term housing.

While the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate, it was also a reminder that homelessness continues to affect too many people across our region. The need for safe accommodation and the right support at the right time remains as important as ever.

🏠 Read the full story on our website and learn how you can support the work of Peplow House. https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/resources/peplow-house-celebrates-50-years-of-supporting-men-through-homelessness

Help support the next chapter of Peplow House please donate today
https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/peplow-house-50th

07/08/2026

"I've got to work hard to make money… I've got no other way." – Roy

Roy's story is one of resilience.

After moving to Australia in search of opportunity, he worked wherever he could, travelling across the country to follow seasonal jobs. But when the work disappeared, so did the security of having a place to call home.

Today, with support from CCV, Roy and his partner have found stability, and Roy is using his lived experience to help improve outcomes for others experiencing homelessness through the Catholic Care Homelessness Advisory Team (CCHAT)

His story reminds us that homelessness is often the result of circumstance, not a lack of determination.

Read Roy’s story https://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/resources/roys-story-working-hard-staying-hopeful

Address

1 Rogers Street
Pakenham, VIC
3810

Opening Hours

Monday	10am - 6pm
Tuesday	10am - 6pm
Wednesday	10am - 6pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611800522076

Website

http://www.catholiccarevic.org.au/

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