Education equals opportunity
We believe that access to education is the most empowering pathway out of disadvantage and we have witnessed remarkable outcomes for students in our Education Programs.
Providing students with extra support makes a world of difference that can truly transform the course of a young person’s life.
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The St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria is passionate about helping young people fulfil their potential.
Our Education Programs are proudly inclusive and welcome all students. We serve young people from families experiencing social and economic disadvantage, families who speak English as an additional language and refugees.
We support students with advanced skills and those who require additional support. We operate in Dandenong, Heidelberg West, Maidstone, Melton, Noble Park, Northcote, Warrnambool East and Warrnambool West, see links below.
The programs assist students with literacy, numeracy and general social, emotional and academic support.
Each education program team (a paid coordinator and trained volunteers) provides a friendly learning environment in which students can improve their learning skills and attitudes and increase their confidence in interacting with adult volunteers and peers.
We focus on a strength-based approach, which means we build on students' skills and develop a growth mindset (believing that abilities can be improved through effort and action).
The team encourages collaboration, promotes social inclusion, works on developing a growth mindset and showcases best learning practices.
In our participant surveys, students report that the volunteers help them to improve academic results, increase social and academic confidence, and develop better friendships and social involvement.
Students who attend until their VCE years have credited getting great results and the support they received to enter university as among the benefits our program provided on their learning journey.
How can I help?
We are always happy to hear from people who want to volunteer.
If you are someone who has a growth mindset (the belief that talents can be developed through hard work), loves learning, wants to support a young person in developing a love of learning and has the time to commit a 2-3 hours every week, please apply now by clicking on the link below and completing the form.
The HR volunteer recruitment team at our Victorian central office is always happy to help, so if you have any questions, email volunteer@svdp-vic.org.au.
“When I first went, my reading was kind of bad. My vocabulary wasn’t very big, but the volunteers really helped me to understand words and feel more confident.”
Our Stories
Our Education programs assist young people, here are just a few of our stories and how we helped.
