Launch of Strategy 2030 – Serving More People and More Communities

Since we first opened our doors, 42 years ago, Sacred Heart Mission’s purpose has been to serve people most in need. This purpose remains unchanged.

Then, now and into the future – we are committed to doing everything we can to end homelessness, deep disadvantage and social exclusion.

People who access our services are strong, courageous and resilient. We see it every day – with the right support and services that honour their dignity and agency, people can build their capacity and live fulfilling lives.

Across Victoria, we are witnessing increasing levels of disadvantage and poverty.

The evidence is clear, and we must respond. 

As a Catholic social service organisation, we feel a deep responsibility to step up:

• We will grow our services to serve more people and more communities.
• We will do more of what we already do well including housing and homelessness, health and wellbeing services and aged care.
• We will take what we do well and expand into new geographies and services such as support for women and their children, people living with disability and other complex needs.
• We know however, that delivering services alone will not make lasting change. We will strengthen our advocacy to influence fairer and more inclusive communities and service systems.
• Our success will be underpinned by strong lived experience voice, deep partnerships and a resilient organisation.

Strategy 2030 is built on a foundation of deep partnerships. As part of the launch event, we held a panel discussion addressing the topic “Partnering for fairer communities and service systems”. Our esteemed panellists were:

• Peter Breadon, Health Program Director at Grattan Institute
• Juanita Pope, CEO of the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS)
• Tim Cronin, Manager for Aboriginal Homelessness Reform at Aboriginal Housing Victoria
• Dr Kristen Moeller-Saxone, Data Capability Lead at Infoxchange

I encourage you to watch the full video of the event below to hear this inspiring panel discussion.

We know that to be successful in achieving our purpose, we need to actively and meaningfully listen and act in response to the voices of service participants and their lived experience.

In late 2023, we established the Executive Advisory Group on Lived Experience (EAGLE) with 10 participants who have a lived or living experience of accessing our services. The members contribute their wisdom, commitment and determination to make services and system better for others.

It was an honour to be joined by the members of EAGLE at our launch event and to hear directly from the group about their first big piece of work that will guide the implementation of our strategy – the Lived Experience Advisory Framework (LEAF).

As EAGLE member Georgie said at the event:

“The LEAF is a gift from us to you and we really hope you will accept our invitation to work together to change lives.”

Read the LEAF here

Thank you for your enduring support of Sacred Heart Mission as we step into this new and exciting chapter.