Story of our Impact 

St Vincent de Paul Society NSW and the One Education Foundation have joined forces to support underprivileged communities in Sydney’s west by providing access to essential digital technology.

Through a dedicated donation program, specially designed laptops were distributed at the Support Centre in Harris Park, helping local residents access education, training, and employment opportunities.

One Education Foundation has generously donated 50 refurbished Infinity laptops.

This partnership will give the opportunity for the recipients to thrive in the classroom, and through this donation ensure students we assist won’t be starting the new school year at a disadvantage.

One Education Foundation aims to improve access to technology and its usage in classrooms globally.

Technology plays an important role in how students learn in the classroom and at home; ensuring that everyone has access helps to set students up for success now and for years to come. Laptops, often out of reach for those facing financial hardship, have become a powerful tool in helping people rebuild their lives. Read more about our tech collaboration for students here. 

Key Achievements

• The Vinnies Vans Impact Project funded by the Ernst Heine Family Foundation (EHFF) continues to exceed targets, with an additional 39,452 people served during the July-December 2025 reporting period compared to the previous period.
• The Christmas Appeal was a great success with the national digital fundraising generating $1 million, making it the highest digital fundraising amount in Vinnies Christmas Appeal history.
• The Supported Open Employment Program has established a partnership with Vinnies Retail to establish the Retail@Vinnies Program, enabling supported work experience in our shops. 
• Two new shops - Terrigal and South Nowra - opened in late December/ early January.

Key Engagements

• 14 Feb 2026 - the Society hosted the launch of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference Social Justice Statement by the Justice and Peace Office of the Archdiocese of Sydney at Lewisham.
• 3 Feb 2026 - CEO Yolanda Saiz met with the Reserve Bank to discuss how members and employees are responding to the needs of the community across the full range of services delivered. The RBA also showed strong interest in the rising costs to the Society of sustaining these services.
• 11 Dec 2025 - the Coalition agreed to further amend the proposed workers compensation legislation following sustained advocacy from the community services sector
• Dec 2025 - the Society participated in the public hearing of the Joint Select Committee on the NSW Reconstruction Authority, providing evidence on disaster recovery and resilience issues shaped by the May 2025 severe weather events.
• The Government Relations and Policy team continue to support member advocacy through a coordinated Raise the Rate campaign, providing strategic guidance and messaging to Conferences.

Other Updates

• A First Nations Strategy and Outcomes Unit has been established reporting to the CEO, and with the Director joining the Executive Leadership Team. The Unit brings together three existing First Nations strategy and engagement roles and will be led by Jake Robertson (previously State Manager, First Nations Strategy and Outcomes).
• Throughout December 2025, Vinnies NSW delivered disaster recovery support to people affected by the Central Coast bushfires in the Koolewong area. As part of the Society’s response, 34 households were approved for financial assistance totalling $16,900.
• The Mission team have been invited by the Disaster Recovery Chaplaincies Network to attend a two-day training session in Westmead at the end of February and join the Chaplaincies network.
• The Society of NSW lodged a pre-Budget submission to the NSW Government, outlining priority issues and opportunities aligned with our frontline service experience and policy objectives, and reinforcing our ongoing engagement with Government ahead of the State Budget.
• The Society of NSW partnered with St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland, in conjunction with the National Council, to lodge a joint submission to the Federal Inquiry into the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs (AOD). This collaboration reflects a coordinated, national approach to policy advocacy, grounded in shared frontline experience.
• AI for Impact - we have continued to collaborate with Not-for-Profit peers across the social sector to share knowledge and experience in adopting AI Technology.