Your Year to Volunteer!

We love Volunteer Week (running this year from the 18^th-24^th May) because we get to celebrate the incredible group of people who donate their time, skills and passion to JRS Australia, and who make our office the safe and welcoming space it is for our community.

The theme this year is “Your year to Volunteer”, so our Volunteer Manager Sr Leone Wittmack has shared this reflection about how important our volunteers are to us and the people we serve – and how much we would love to welcome more volunteers to join us!

Learn more about volunteering at JRS Australia here.

Sr Leone: “Enabling God’s Vision in a Fractured World”

We are very fortunate at the Jesuit Refugee Service operating out of Parramatta that we have many volunteers who have chosen this pathway for many years.   The Vision of JRS is to create a world where refugees and other forcibly displaced people attain protection, opportunity, and participation. Guided by the example of Jesus Christ, JRS aims to accompany, serve, and advocate for the rights of displaced people, fostering reconciliation and fostering hope. This vision statement perfectly sums up the reason why so many people from all walks of life choose to volunteer and in this instance with JRS.

Our volunteers come to JRS with a wealth of experience as doctors, nurses, teachers, lawyers, social workers, business owners, students, people who have experienced being a refugee and women from a number of religious orders who want to continue enabling God’s Mission in today’s fractured world. 

We are also happy to have Seminarians from Sydney, Parramatta and Timor Leste.  This gives them hands on experience of working for the Common Good walking alongside the Refugees who come through our doors.”

What volunteers do at JRS Austraila

In 2025 the JRS Volunteers offered over 10,000 hours in accompaniment, service and advocacy for refugees and people seeking asylum. They walk in solidarity with people from diverse cultures, nationalities and religions. And amongst their practical roles, volunteers offer something less tangible, that speaks to the spirit of JRS: hospitality, compassion, dignity, and a sense of justice and hope.

You will find our Volunteers engaging in the areas of:

• Casework;
• Hospitality;
• Foodbank;
• Employment Assistance;
• English classes;
• Women’s Services;
• Event Support;
• Access to Opal Cards;
• Reception;
• Group Support;
• and more!

Our volunteers are central to our core work, packing and delivering food for families seeking asylum, facilitating our newly formed men’s group, setting people up with access to free transport in New South Wales, collating and distributing gifts for occasions such as Christmas or Mother’s Day; and making coffees or providing a listening ear to those looking for community and friendship.

Embodying hope at the centre of our Mission

It is true to say, the work of JRS would not be able to happen without the wonderful dedication and generosity of our volunteers.

They embody the thoughts, reflections and prayers of Pope Francis, who reflected that “volunteering is a choice that makes us free. It opens us to other people’s needs, to the demands of justice, to the defence of the poor, to the care of creation. Volunteering is prophecy and a sign of hope.”

Having a conversation with our volunteers you will find that they are very busy people.  Some volunteer in a number of organisations, some work in Parishes in various roles, some work part time.  Many of course are parents and grandparents and a very dedicated to their families.

Many are retired and are now alone and they enjoy the company associated with volunteering, making new friends, finding support while having the opportunity to engage and share the stories of the many refugees who come through our doors.

Meet some of our volunteers!

Julian

“I am a volunteer in reception at the JRS Office and I meet the people who come to the office seeking help from the staff and volunteers who work there. Those who come are refugees and asylum seekers and so are often vulnerable and anxious by reason of their insecure status in the country. They have many different needs such as food, clothes and other material support as well as casework, employment support, language lessons, safety for women seeking refuge and other needs. The office endeavours to provide a place of welcome and hospitality to those who come there and the volunteers and staff combine together to try and meet the various material and  other needs of the clients from the limited resources available.”

Kathy

“I have been working as a phone receptionist at JRS for a few years.  I first worked remotely, then at the beginning of last year in person at the JRS office in Parramatta. I have found the work at times challenging, always rewarding with the bonus of learning new skills along the way.   The procedures have frequently being tweaked to make the workload more efficient to the benefit of all.  The JRS team (both volunteers and management) have big, warm, generous hearts which makes coming to Parramatta nearly every Tuesday a pleasure as we all work together assisting our clients to make their life a little more bearable.  Even though some of the client’s journeys are unimaginable, they still manage to be thankful and gracious often wishing God’s blessings at the end of the call which is always humbling.  I have certainly learnt patience, perseverance and I am constantly inspired by our client’s resilience.”

Marina

“I wanted to volunteer at JRS because my parents were immigrants, and my dad used to tell me how hard it was, ‘back in the old days’ for immigrants.   Dad was forever grateful for the support and guidance he received and it made me want to ensure the support for immigrants was continued as much as possible.”

Anne Marie

Anne Marie has been volunteering with JRS for 8 years.  She says that coming to JRS helps to look beyond herself and realize the struggles that the Refugees encounter everyday.  She enjoys the company of the other volunteers and the friendship and support offered by many.  Anne Marie offers hospitality, giving out cups of tea and engaging with the Refugees, other volunteers and staff.

Sr. Cath & Arpan

Sr. Cath and Arpan have been Volunteers at JRS for the last 8 years.  They come every week and assist in the foodbank, distributing food according to the needs of the people.

They love volunteering with JRS as it gives them the opportunity to walk with the refugees and to work for the Common Good, in a spirit of compassion, justice and hope.  It reminds them how fortunate we are to live in a place like Australia and are grateful that JRS can provide such a service.

They enjoy the community engagement and the social opportunities of working with and engaging with like minded people.

Abol

Abol has recently arrived in Australia and is currently studying.

He volunteers with JRS processing Opal Card application.  He also speaks other languages. Abol enjoys working as a volunteer as it gives him the opportunity to learn and to engage with the Refugees and the other volunteers and staff.

Uma

 Uma has volunteered with JRS for a few years.  She has many great skills in IT and has been engaged with JRS to help introduce Salesforce.  As a young mother she is very committed to her family and currently works offsite or in the office helping people to process their Opal cards.

Jenny and Sr. Maureen

Sr Maureen (R) has been volunteering with JRS for at least 12 years, offering her gifts in a number of areas and in all the premises where JRS has worked from.  She loves working with the Refugees and Asylum Seekers and at one stage was a regular visitor to Villawood Refugee Centre.  In this photo she is working with Jenny who also offers hospitality to the refugees, volunteers and staff.  Jenny makes a fantastic cup of coffee. Here they are both wrapping and packing gifts to give to the Mother’s for Mother’s Day.

Duncan

Duncan volunteers with JRS two days a week.  His contribution is in the area of Casework.  His past experience allows he to offer support to those in various professional ways which is greatly appreciated by those seeking help.  He certainly offers much needed Hope.  He sees himself as having many opportunities in his life and through volunteering with JRS he is able to offer his knowledge and is able to give back to society and to people much less fortunate, in this case Refugees looking for a listening ear and some hope..