St Vincent de Paul Society Australia genetic logo

The St Vincent de Paul Society offers over 200 services that help people in need.

Safeguarding

Find Help

Membership NSW

Volunteering NSW

Careers NSW

Join the Social Justice Network

Vinnies Service Medallion

Vinnies Youth NSW

Donations of goods and services NSW

Gifts in Wills

Philanthropy

Fundraise for Vinnies NSW

Clothing drives, toy collections and food hampers

Corporate partnerships NSW

Financial donations NSW

Sponsorship NSW

Cause related marketing campaigns NSW

Workplace giving - community support NSW

Vinnies and the Return and Earn Scheme

Vinnies Bag O Rags

Vinnies re/CYCLE range

Vinnies Used Cooking Oil Recycling (VUCOR)

Get involved

Get Involved

<h1>Vinnies Shops</h1>
Everything you buy or donate inspires change in your local community.

Vinnies Shops

Shops

Social Justice Statements

Reports and Submissions

Modern Anti-Slavery Statements

Reconciliation Action Plan

Uluru Statement Resources

Energy NSW

Disability Inclusion Action Plan

Advocacy

About us

Contact Us

History NSW

NSW Strategic Plan

Leadership NSW

Policies NSW

Mission and Formation

About Us

News and stories

NSW Media Releases

Vision Magazine

Impact Magazine

NSW Blog

Your Kind of Good Magazine

NSW Disaster Reports

NSW Annual Reports

News and Stories

| Vinnies

Home

ACT & surrounds

New South Wales

Northern Territory

Queensland

South Australia

Tasmania

Victoria

Western Australia

National Council

SVdP Housing Australia

In the heart of Sydney, quietly and consistently, something extraordinary is happening.

Belonging, Hope, and Impact: The Heart of the Ozanam Learning Centre

The&nbsp;<a href="/nsw/find-help/ozanam-learning-centre" title="Ozanam Learning Centre">Ozanam Learning Centre (OLC),</a>&nbsp;part of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW’s commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage, continues to change lives. Not through grand gestures, but through dignity, compassion, and community. Its recent quality accreditation audit has not only validated its impact but also illuminated what’s possible when care is person-centred and driven by purpose.<o:p></o:p>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">A Strong Audit Outcome, A Strong Foundation<o:p></o:p></h4>
The OLC was recently audited against the QIC Health and Community Services Standards (7.1 edition), and the outcome was both affirming and inspiring. The assessment highlighted how our improved systems and processes have had a real, measurable impact on the lives of the people we assist.<o:p></o:p>
The auditor recognised that quality at the OLC isn’t confined to paperwork, it’s alive in the collaborative leadership, dedicated frontline staff, and person-centred approaches that drive daily operations. Together, these elements create an enabling environment where people feel safe, supported, and empowered.<o:p></o:p>
Among the most powerful moments of the audit were the insights shared by the people who access the Centre’s services—the People We Assist.<o:p></o:p>
“OLC is life changing. I now feel part of something.”<o:p></o:p>
This single quote reflects what many echoed: a deep sense of belonging, safety, and recognition. The People we assist (PWA) spoke of the OLC as a welcoming and supportive environment, one where they are seen and valued, not just served.<o:p></o:p>
This doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built through consistent, meaningful interactions-a remembered name, a warm greeting, a listening ear. These small gestures form the fabric of the OLC experience, where trust is built, and hope is restored.<o:p></o:p>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">A Shared Vision: Staff and Stakeholders<o:p></o:p></h4>
Staff at the OLC shared a strong understanding of their roles and responsibilities, with many expressing how meaningful their work is. While some found it hard to articulate exactly what fosters the PWAs’ sense of safety, the audit highlighted what many of us already know: it’s the little things that matter most.<o:p></o:p>
Stakeholders, too, praised the program’s holistic model, which focuses on individual needs and supports real capacity building. From free counselling to creative, person-centred initiatives, the OLC was recognised as a place that doesn’t just respond to problems, it empowers people to grow beyond them.<o:p></o:p>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">Areas for Growth, and a Commitment to Learn<o:p></o:p></h4>
The audit process also provided valuable opportunities for improvement. Areas such as privacy and consent, risk management, and participatory program design will continue to be strengthened, with the goal of involving people we assist in shaping the very programs that support them.<o:p></o:p>
This feedback isn’t seen as criticism - it’s embraced as a chance to listen, reflect, and evolve, ensuring the OLC continues to set the bar for high quality, respectful, and inclusive service delivery.<o:p></o:p>
<h4 class="MsoNormal">People, Not Just Programs<o:p></o:p></h4>
The Ozanam Learning Centre is a shining example of what can happen when we put people before process. When we create spaces where individuals are not just helped but heard. Where connection, opportunity, and dignity are the norm.<o:p></o:p>
And at Vinnies,&nbsp;people are always at the heart of everything we do.<o:p></o:p>

Rich Text