About CatholicCare

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Vision

CatholicCare’s vision is the realisation of the revelation of Jesus Christ for the world:

‘I have come that you may have life and have it to the full’ (John 10:10)

For over 75 years CatholicCare has worked on behalf of the Catholic Church in Melbourne and Geelong to build on the vision of ‘life to the full’ for families, individuals and communities in all their diversity, but in particular for those who are marginalised in society as a result of poverty, disadvantage and other barriers to social inclusion.

Social Context for CatholicCare's Mission

Many indicators suggest that the Australian society and economy is strong with more than a decade of consistent growth and low official levels of unemployment. There are many who have done very well and who continue to benefit. Many of those who have done well in recent years are in a position to assist CatholicCare in its mission to those who are struggling and disadvantaged.

Summary of Strategic Directions

High Quality Services
CatholicCare will provide evidence-based, high quality services responsive to the needs of communities, and especially the disadvantaged
Community Engagement and Advocacy
CatholicCare, as an agent of social change, will assist disadvantaged communities to achieve sustainable improvements through the promotion of opportunity and fairer, more inclusive social structures.
Organisation & Culture
We achieve our mission and goals through effective management and administration and a healthy organisational culture which values our people.
Resources and Business Development
CatholicCare will maximise fundraising and income opportunities from a range of funding sources to meet current service needs and to effectively develop new programs.
Program Directions and Innovations
CatholicCare will develop innovative programs responsive to local and/or relevant community interests and informed by evaluation, training and practice research.

History of CatholicCare

Originally known as the Catholic Social Service Bureau, Archbishop Mannix established the organisation in 1935 with the employment of Constance Moffitt and Norma Parker; the first professionally qualified social workers in Australia. It was reflection on the needs of the community, and a commitment to address them that led Archbishop Mannix to establish the organisation over seventy years ago. Over the past 70 years the organisation has consistently sought to be at the advance edge in the provision of community services. Since then the agency has worked closely with successive waves of migrant communities and has adapted to meet changing social needs around marriage and relationship education, family and relationship counselling, family support, employment, and drug and alcohol issues.

Leadership Team and Board of Directors

Leadership Team

Fr Joe Caddy, Chief Executive Officer (Appointed October 2004)

As Chief Executive Officer, Fr Joe Caddy reports to the Board and is responsible for overseeing strategic planning, research and resource development, in addition to management of the organisation as an instrumentality of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne. He has a strong background in community service governance and social policy development. He is currently the Chair of Catholic Welfare Australia, the national peak body of Catholic community service providers, and Centacare Australia Ltd the organisation responsible for the delivery of community service programs on behalf of the national network of Catholic service providers. In addition, Fr Joe is a chaplain to the men’s maximum security prisons in Melbourne. From 1991-1993 he lived in Rome where he completed a Licentiate in Social Sciences at the Gregorian University. He has a great interest in matters of social justice and poverty and advocates regularly for policies and programs to ensure stronger families and communities.

Privacy Statement

CatholicCare respects your confidentiality and privacy to the full extent required by law and duty of care considerations, and abides by Privacy Principles set out in:

Privacy Act 1988 (Commonwealth)
Information Privacy Act 2000 (Victoria)
Health Records Act 2001 (Victoria)
Adoption Act 1984 (Victoria)
Children, Youth & Families Act 2005 (Victoria)

A copy of Information Privacy Principles is available on request.

Please ask our staff if you would like more information about:

your right to confidentiality and privacy and the limitations to this right
any questions or concerns you may have about management and protection of your privacy
our Client Confidentiality & Privacy Policy