Ashley Carvalho’s journey with the Society began in 2009 when she volunteered with the Sacred Heart College Vinnies School Conference in Perth. It was here that she discovered her passion for the Society’s work, sparking an enduring commitment to service.

Building on this foundation, Ashley became involved in her local parish Conference and actively engaged with the state’s youth programs, offering mentorship and recreation to kids doing it tough.

In 2017, Ashley participated in the Society’s Encounter Program, which took her to a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory where she helped organise community-building activities for both adults and children. 

In 2024, she joined the National Spirit of Youth executive committee, where she served as the chair of the Encounter Program. Between 2023 and 2025, while living in Brisbane, Ashley was a part of Western Youth Programs, her local parish Conference, and the St Thomas Virtual Youth Conference.

Outside of her volunteer work, Ashley works full-time for a not-for-profit focused on preventing the online sexual exploitation of children. In this role, she develops capacity-building and prevention programs both domestically and internationally, collaborating with various stakeholders to create a unified approach to child protection.

Ashley is an active participant in Church ministry and is currently pursuing a Graduate Certificate in Theological Studies at the Australian Catholic University through the Australian Young Catholic Women’s Fellowship, an initiative of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

In Ashley’s words,

‘Having been part of the St Vincent de Paul Society since I was a teenager I have been able to participate in a range of works of the Society across Australia. I really value my experiences with the Society.

‘Not only have I been able to live out my faith, but I have also met so many amazing and passionate people along the way. I really value connecting with and serving members of my local community in such a tangible and impactful way.

‘I look forward to continuing to explore different areas of the Society and identifying new opportunities to give back to the wider community.

‘From primary school through high school, university and beyond, the Society offers young people the opportunity to volunteer, learn and lead while making a difference in their community.’ R