
SJOS HIGHLIGHTS
Our AGM is scheduled in early December, although mainly via “zoom”, with only the actual committee gathering. As we see the restrictions to the COVID pandemic easing, more community groups, with COVID Safe Plans in place, are preparing to return. SJOS will now start to plan some friend and fundraising activities for 2021. It is hoped that some large events will be allowed early in the year. The SJOS Mission has remained alive during COVID, and in 2021, it will continue to support the disadvantaged and needy in our community.

Patron: Sir James Gobbo AV CVO
President: Ms Janet Maher
CONTACT US
St Joseph’s Outreach Services (SJOS)
Post Office Box 21
South Yarra VIC 3141
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sjos.org.au
DONATIONS ARE WELCOME
For those who visit and leave food products for SJOS in the basket outside the glass doors of St Joseph’s Church, a very big THANK YOU!
Our mission is to provide transitional housing and
support services to those in need, regardless of race
or creed and to work towards relieving the effects of
poverty in our community.
THE SJOS ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING:
The Annual General Meeting for SJOS will be held as a “Zoom” event on Wednesday, 2 December 2020, commencing at 6:30 pm. This meeting is open to all Volunteers, Friends and Supporters and we hope you will join the Management Committee of SJOS as we review the activities of 2019 / 2020 Financial Year, with its successes and its many challenges. To register for the “zoom” link, please email [email protected]. The AGM Report will be distributed on registration.
THE SJOS HOUSING UNITS:
The caseworkers who support the renters in the SJOS Housing Units have finally been allowed to have face to face meeting with their clients, now that some of the COVID restrictions have been eased. During the period of lockdown, as with most medical professionals, all activity was conducted online, which made it very difficult for the caseworkers to really assess the progress, or otherwise, of their clients. There are now eleven units occupied, (out of 12 units in total), and eight of the units have children in residence. The children are aged from 0 – 5 years old and all are in the custody of their mother, plus in 2 cases, they are families with 2 children. Young mothers with small children are usually high on the list for permanent public housing, but the COVID changes and the lockdown have really impeded the progress of the housing applications in place, let alone supported those who need some assistance with the Centrelink challenges. Launch Housing support workers continue to monitor the situation and assist the renters in our transitional housing to move forward into permanent housing.
SJOS BREAD BANK
The SJOS Bread Bank volunteers collect bread four mornings every week from Woolworths at 670 Chapel Street, now at 11:00 am. With the additional supply from Rustica, who leaves their left-over bread in the 2 Way Freezer, plus the Thursday night pick-up from Baker’s Delight in Prahran Central, the SJOS Bread Bank has a bountiful supply of bread and rolls. However, more volunteers are needed. If anyone has time and opportunity, with a car, to assist the pick-up from Woolworths at 11:00 am, please email [email protected].
SJOS FOOD STORE
Thank you to those who continue to leave food donations for the SJOS Food Store in the drop off basket at the entrance to St Joseph’s Church. Extra cans of vegetables, cans of soup and various types of biscuits are greatly appreciated and they have become a treat for some. Recently, we received a donation from Loreto Mandeville Hall, with many generous families providing some food products for the store. Also, as a result of some financial donations to the Food Store, we have been able to install a new safety rail at the door, making entry much safer for those with a disability.
CHRISTMAS GIFT GIVING OPPORTUNITY:
With the continuing concerns about COVID and social distancing, many of the end of year Christmas activities for those in need of emergency relief will not happen in 2020. The large Christmas Day Luncheon at the Malvern Town Hall, sponsored by Stonningt0n Council and UnitingCare has been cancelled, the collection of food by the non-denominational group “Food for Friends” is not happening, and even Sacred Heart Mission have cancelled their big Christmas Day event where they feed hundreds. Many will miss out this year which is such a shame. Some years ago, to support SJOS, we introduced SJOS Christmas Gift Giving Cards. These Christmas Gift Cards, valued at $30.00, $50.00 and $100.00, give the opportunity to give a card, detailing a donation to SJOS, in lieu of a gift. If anyone would like to give an SJOS gift for Christmas, please contact SJOS through [email protected].
TWELVE THIRTEEN BATMI BARMI GROUP ARE BACK:
Once again, the wonderful team at the Twelve Thirteen Group are returning to support the SJOS Food Store in 2021. With children making their Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah, all accompanied by a parent, the group spend an afternoon baking goods for those visiting the food store, as well as experiencing what it is like to volunteer to support outreach relief services for those disadvantaged and marginalised. The group are planning on three (3) sessions during the year, and this outreach project is part of the community awareness activities initiated for these children as they celebrate the year of their Bar Mitzvah and Bat Mitzvah. A wonderful community activity to support families in need.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
SJOS | [email protected] | www.sjos.org.au | Post Office Box 21, South Yarra VIC 3141