Mission Champion: Jim Finlayson

There was a time in Jim’s life when he called the Mission home, and that’s because 87 Grey Street was his home for two years.

Jim first came to the Mission 38 years ago, when he was invited to live and work in the presbytery while he was studying to become a teacher with then founder and Parish Priest Father Ernie.

Since then, 87 Grey Street has been transformed into Sacred Heart Central, where hundreds of people come each day for meals, shower and laundry facilities, as well as support and case management.

After his studies, Jim took a break to live in different parts of the world, but he found his way back to the Mission eight years ago.

“Living in St Kilda, I see vulnerable people who have been let down by our society and I feel the need to support them,” Jim says.

Jim supports the Mission in multiple ways

“I could see the Mission was having an impact and helping people, so I wanted to get involved again.”

As a teacher, Jim has found ways for his school to get involved by raising funds for the Mission’s Meals Program and organising volunteer trips to our Dining Hall. He also started volunteering at our Prahran op shop every fortnight.

As if that weren’t enough, Jim recently decided to give even more by leaving a gift in his Will to Sacred Heart Mission.

“I’ve had such a long journey with the Mission; I have been here since the beginning and have watched it grow from a group of parishioners to a large organisation having real impact,” Jim says.

Jim commits all aspects of his life to helping people, but is particularly passionate about housing and homelessness because he thinks it is a fundamental human right. On top of his commitments to the Mission, Jim offers a room in his home for refugees and asylum seekers through the Brigidines. He takes people in, one at a time, until they feel stable and supported to move on. So far, he has provided a home to nine refugees.

“Leaving five per cent of my Will means the Mission can continue its work once I’m gone; it’s my legacy,” Jim says.

“It’s important to me I have left a percentage rather than a fixed amount because I know it will have the same impact in 20 years that it has today.”

We thank Jim as well as the many others who have so generously left a bequest to the Mission.

Gifts in Wills

A gift in Will allows us to plan for the future with confidence, investing in life-changing services that address the underlying causes of deep, persistent poverty and social exclusion.

Over the last 20 years, we have received over $4.5 million from gifts in Wills, which continues to make a significant impact on vital services we deliver in the community, and on the lives of those with whom we work. Most gifts in Will are invested in our Foundation, generating dividends and interest which is invested into our programs and services.

These earnings provide a reliable income and enable us to continue to create positive, lasting change.

If you would like to discuss leaving a gift in Will, get in touch with Sue Worland, Donor Relations Coordinator, on 03 8530 8394 or sworland@sacredheartmission.org.