Your compassion can positively change lives

Jake* is a shy and socially anxious 11-year-old. He was relentlessly bullied at school. Like many children, he hid his suffering from his parents and siblings, but he couldn’t hide the impact. He started acting out, his grades suffered, and his mental health was quickly declining.

Thankfully, a school social worker was alerted, and she connected his mother with CatholicCare Victoria’s Family Wellbeing support service. While reluctant to attend counselling, Jake quickly bonded with his CCV counsellor Sophie*.

Jake had access to regular fortnightly counselling sessions and his wider family – including mum and his older siblings – were also offered support.

After 12 months of counselling, Jake now has the skills to navigate friendships and school life and is starting to come out of his shell. He’s even joined the school soccer team and has signed up for band practice.

“I’m so grateful to CatholicCare and Jake’s counsellor, in particular. It was a joy to watch him gain more confidence with every session, and the tools to manage his emotions and anxiety.

It felt like CatholicCare wrapped their arms around the whole family!

They made it clear that any family member who needed it was welcome to access support. We all felt so supported and also grateful to everyone who supports CatholicCare,” Mel*, Jake’s mum said.

Between now and the end of this financial year, thousands of people will turn to CatholicCare Victoria for support. As one of Victoria’s leading social service providers, we work across this vast state to meet people at their point of need.

And we can only do that through the grace and generosity of compassionate people like you.