Josephite Community Aid (JCA)

"If we don't, who will?"

There is a great need …Many people in Sydney are really poor and powerless. Every day we witness poverty that seems so unreal...families sleeping on cold floors without money, beds, food or clothing. Formed in 1986, Josephite Community Aid (JCA), a group committed to aiding people who are poor and underprivileged. The poor are never far away from where we live and work. We try to find these people and to help them in any way we can.

JCA is an invitation to young people to really live out a selfless commitment to people who are poor. It's about action! JCA provides practical help to people who are unable to help themselves. We aim to empower poorer people to become self supporting in their own lives.

We try to live by the philosophy of our founders Blessed Mary MacKillop and Julian Tennison Woods: Never see a need without doing something about it.

We connect with people in need, including refugees, people with mental illness and anyone suffering distress or loneliness and offer them our assistance, through…

• Friendship and support
• Visits to their homes
• Food and other essentials
• Group activities
• Referral to suitable welfare agencies
• English language tuition
• Organised family weekends
• Whatever is necessary

"We are not a welfare agency … We offer friendship and care to people who are isolated and lonely because this is their greatest need."

Volunteer full-time—spend 6 months or a year helping the poor and underprivileged

Coming on board full-time is ideally suited if you are aged between 18 and 35 and you are keen to live with other young people who are committed to the JCA work and community. We provide your accommodation, meals and a small weekly allowance. Yes, this does mean making some sacrifices and living a simple lifestyle where your needs are kept fairly basic. It also means that you will experience a year of the most rewarding work you may ever do, whilst also being fully involved in the camps, holiday programs and host of other events that are held throughout the year.

Volunteer part-time

As a part-time volunteer you could be introduced to a family who needs some ongoing support or you may be able to use your skills in the activities of the community or the JCA network. Let us know what you can give…a night, a day, maybe a weekend now and then? Guidance from our more experienced campaigners is always close at hand so you won’t be on your own.

Camps

As you can guess, being away with a large group takes some organising and requires plenty of help over the weekend. So, if you are keen to join us for a couple of days bringing heaps of fun and happiness to people who have yet to experience the Australian coast, this is for you. Don’t miss the chance to spend time with some very special people – refugees and young volunteers alike!

School holidays

In the school holidays we offer a special programme that caters especially for refugee families.

This is a great way to get involved if you only have a day or a few hours to spare. Come and make some new friends and have fun on a day trip picnic for our refugee families.

Other help

We invite you to assist us with your expertise, your time or your contacts for any of the work that contributes to the communication, promotion and administration of JCA and our work, including - Spreading the Spirit newsletter, Special Community Events, Photo library, Donated clothing, Fundraising, Marketing and promotion, Maintain web site, IT, English lessons, Christmas Hampers.

“You have one chance at life. Make it count.”

Check out our newsletter “Spreading the Spirit” for the latest news and events at JCA: http://www.jcaid.com/control.php?&topgroupname=1&g...