The Salvation Army Youth Services offer an integrated suite of targeted programs engaging with young people across Australia on their journey to independence. We’re focused on creating intentional avenues for young people to explore opportunities, build support networks, and access, participate and contribute to their communities. We have a national footprint in delivering housing andContinue reading “Youth Housing Now – The Salvation Army Youth Services Perspective”
Category Archives: Areas
What to do with leftovers – Easter Edition
This article has divided our team right down the middle into two camps – one side who cannot fathom the possibility of chocolate leftovers in any form, and the other side who are, well, hoarders, and still find little eggs in the pantry right up until Christmas. Whichever camp you are in, if you doContinue reading “What to do with leftovers – Easter Edition”
How to Have An Ethical Easter
Easter. If you ask my children, they will tell you it is all about Jesus and chocolate. The hollow inside of the Easter Egg is supposed to remind us of the empty tomb, and the signature cross of a hot cross bun alludes to the death and resurrection of the Son of God, but let’sContinue reading “How to Have An Ethical Easter”
The Political Perspective of Social Justice
Sometimes when people talk about something being ‘political’ they mean it is topical or controversial. Actually, ‘politics’ just involves any of the activities or issues associated with governing a group (in this case a country or a state). In Australia, and most other liberal democracies, politics involves a certain amount of conflict between ideas, andContinue reading “The Political Perspective of Social Justice”
The Social Work Perspective of Social Justice
Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, socialContinue reading “The Social Work Perspective of Social Justice”
The Economic Perspective of Social Justice
“Everyone, as a member of society, . . . is entitled to realization. . . of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality” “Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection againstContinue reading “The Economic Perspective of Social Justice”
The Legal Perspective of Social Justice
Justice is a famously hard thing to define. It is beyond fairness, it is more than equality. It is a jumble of values, perspectives and outside factors which evolve over time. ‘The Law’ is used interchangeably with ‘justice’. But it is wrong to say that when something has a legal outcome, it is a ‘just’Continue reading “The Legal Perspective of Social Justice”
The Theological Perspective of Social Justice
Justice is a biblically defined, theological, Christian issue. It is not a human construct. So, it is Scripture that determines what the justice issues are. This gives a distinct authority and delineates what justice is, and what it is not. This is so integral to humans that we carry within us an innate sense ofContinue reading “The Theological Perspective of Social Justice”
Perspectives of Social Justice
World Social Justice Day is coming up on Saturday the 20th of February and it has got us thinking about the many different perspectives of social justice there are depending on your background and line of influence. For example, how I, as an Ordained Minister, think about social justice, may be very different to howContinue reading “Perspectives of Social Justice”
What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Sue Hodges
Sue Hodges is a proud Wiradjuri woman and is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Coordinator for The Salvation Army NSW and ACT Division. As we have with all our participants, we asked Sue what her thoughts were on January 26 and this is what she said: If all Australians could show empathy forContinue reading “What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Sue Hodges”
What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Andrew Lee
Captain (Capitano) Andrew Lee is an Australian Officer currently serving as Finance Officer at The Salvation Army Command for Italy and Greece in Rome. He has also served before officership in Pakistan and as an officer in Bangladesh. As a man who has called many places “home”, and yet identifies as Australian, we asked AndrewContinue reading “What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Andrew Lee”
What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Blessing Maduka
Blessing Maduka is an Inclusion Engagement Coordinator for Victoria and comes to Australia from Nigeria. She has not yet received her permanent citizenship status, and yet her understanding of what it means to be Australian certainly makes us proud to have her here and calling Australia home. We had a conversation with Blessing and sheContinue reading “What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Blessing Maduka”
What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Major Andrew Craib
Major Andrew Craib is the General Manager for Client Information and Contract Services. Whilst being born and raised in Australia, Andrew’s background is that of an Anglo-Australian with Scottish ancestry. We had a conversation with Andrew and asked him the following questions: Q: What cultural background do you, or your family, identify as? My parentsContinue reading “What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Major Andrew Craib”
What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Terrence Whyte
Terrence Whyte is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s & Youth Specialist working for The Salvation Army in Queensland. We asked Terrence questions about what it means to be Australian, what he is proud of, and what he would like to change. This is his response and the perfect start to our series forContinue reading “What Does it Mean to be Australian – In Conversation with Terrence Whyte”
What Does it Mean to be Australian?
Our history is an interwoven tapestry of cultures and languages, rituals and song, love and struggle, stories and dreamings. To be Australian is as rich as the bright red soil of the outback, and as flowing as the rivers that etch through our great land. So why then is celebrating our identity as Australians, atContinue reading “What Does it Mean to be Australian?”
Reconciliation Action Plan Artwork
Our vision for reconciliation is to be a faith movement committed to social justice, equity and freedom. We aim to respect, value and acknowledge the unique cultures, spiritualities, histories and languages of the oldest surviving culture in the world, and to engage in a unified and positive relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesContinue reading “Reconciliation Action Plan Artwork”
Homelessness – Why We Care
Homelessness is a widespread and serious issue in our country. It is not someone else’s issue. It impacts all of us, whether or not we experience it ourselves. People experiencing homelessness sleep on the street, in cars, in shelters, and in overcrowded dwellings. They live in every jurisdiction in Australia, representing both a personal hardshipContinue reading “Homelessness – Why We Care”
Racism: Why We Care
by Alphonse Mulumba It was lunch time on an ordinary Thursday. Famished as he was and tired from a long Launceston-Hobart drive, the 26-year-old African stopped by McDonald’s Bridgewater (a northern Suburb in Hobart) to have his favourite take-away meal: a Big Mac. For this piece, we’ll call him Tatenda. Tatenda gently parked his car,Continue reading “Racism: Why We Care”
Family & Domestic Violence – Why We Care
By Deborah Tkalcevic – Policy & Advocacy Adviser ALL PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE AND BE RECOGNISED FOR WHO THEY ARE AND WHAT THEY BRING TO THE WORLD The Salvation Army wholeheartedly supports efforts to eliminate violence within families as human life is sacred and all people should be treated with dignity andContinue reading “Family & Domestic Violence – Why We Care”
Curiosity, Courage and Creativity – Three Ways to be a More Ethical Consumer
By Heather Moore – Policy & Strategic Projects Adviser What do you think about when you shop? It probably depends on what you are buying, but do you ever pause to think about who made the product or how many people it took to make all its parts? What about where and in what conditionsContinue reading “Curiosity, Courage and Creativity – Three Ways to be a More Ethical Consumer”
What is Poverty
By Yvonne Kwan – Policy and Advocacy Adviser Most of us have an intuitive understanding of what it means to be poor. Perhaps it looks like a child in tattered clothes. Or a bare pantry. Or perhaps an adult shivering on a cold winter’s night. Poverty describes the everyday experience of people who are strugglingContinue reading “What is Poverty”
Jesus and Feminism
By Major Christine Faragher One of the challenges in speaking about the relationship between Jesus and feminism is defining the terms. We need to ask, “whose Jesus?” and “which feminism?”. From the very beginning of the early church, and ever since, Christians have had very different perspectives on the meanings of what Jesus said andContinue reading “Jesus and Feminism”
A stranger sat at my dining table
This is my dinner table. It was gifted to me as a hand-me-down when I first moved out of home eight years ago. It has specs of glitter embedded in it; streaks of green and red paint have stained the wood, and there is a water-mark from a plant that adorned the table top forContinue reading “A stranger sat at my dining table”
“How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?”
The sounds of Boney M echoed through our lecture room. Some of the younger cadets looked a little lost (what sort of old music is this?), but everyone (even the Training Principal) grooved to the reggae beats of “By the Rivers of Babylon”. Our guest lecturer, Lt. Colin Reynolds (Corps Officer at Sunshine), while discussingContinue reading ““How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?””
Poverty – Why We Care
“When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the Lord yourContinue reading “Poverty – Why We Care”
War & Peace – Why We Care
When we tune in to the news, sometimes it can feel like war is everywhere and there is nothing we can do about it. We live in a broken world where we experience and contribute to conflict on a daily basis. While military conflict may not directly affect your life, on a smaller scale thereContinue reading “War & Peace – Why We Care”
Symbols to look for while you Shop – trying to understand the ethical certifications!
We have heard about modern slavery and trafficking, unfair working conditions and terrible pay for some of the people who make the products we buy. As consumers we have the choice to support these practices or support brands that care for their workers all along the supply chain. To help us shop more ethically, weContinue reading “Symbols to look for while you Shop – trying to understand the ethical certifications!”
Politics – Why We Care
“Social Justice necessarily involves politics because it takes place in a polis – in organised groups of people attempting to live together. Even when Christians agree on the end of biblical justice that protects the vulnerable and allows for shalom, there is still the question of how that end is best achieved” (Ken Wytsma). ThoseContinue reading “Politics – Why We Care”
The Environment – Why We Care
The Salvation Army believes people are made in the image of God and have been entrusted with the care of the Earth and everything in it. The Salvation Army recognises environmental degradation as one of the most pressing issues facing the world today with its effects felt disproportionately by the most vulnerable communities, particularly inContinue reading “The Environment – Why We Care”
Living water, liveable communities
Living water, liveable communities BY MATT SEAMAN Why should we as Salvationists be interested or concerned about issues relating to water? There are some strong biblical, ethical, practical and personal reasons for us – as followers of Jesus, as Salvationists – to be sensitive and attentive to the state of this precious, God-given resource. OfContinue reading “Living water, liveable communities”
Principles of Justice
Jesus and Justice When we look at the life of Jesus, we find a person whose sole purpose was to bring those around Him closer to His heavenly Father. In looking to His example, we see a life which was wholly committed to bringing the Kingdom of God to earth. In reflecting on His exampleContinue reading “Principles of Justice”
What is Social Justice?
We are regularly asked the question – “what exactly is social justice?” This is a difficult question to answer, as the term “social justice” evokes a variety of responses which differ from person to person. We believe that it is impossible and somewhat unwise to pin down a single definition, as to do so wouldContinue reading “What is Social Justice?”
The Kingdom of God on Earth
The Kingdom of God on Earth by Casey O’Brien Machado The beautiful thing about being an advocate for Social Justice is that while our focus is on this world, our hope is in another. The bringing about of Social Justice is “The Kingdom of God on earth”. When we pray the Lord’s prayer, we ask “ThyContinue reading “The Kingdom of God on Earth”
Social Justice – Not an optional extra
Social Justice: Not an optional extra by Casey O’Brien Machado Recently, at a multi-denominational meeting, I introduced myself to a fellow attendee. Upon explaining my role to him, he responded “Oh, you’re a Social Justice person. I suppose that’s a given – you do belong to The Salvation Army. I am more of a Bible-typeContinue reading “Social Justice – Not an optional extra”
Salvo Social Justice 