Year 9 Solidarity Program

As a part of Year 9’s Religion unit: Living the Ten Commandments and Beatitudes and the College Spirituality and Service Day Program, Year 9 has had the privilege of visiting Catholic Care Disability Services, Lakemba in small groups. 

Catholic Care Disability Services is an organisation dedicated to providing essential support and services to adults with disabilities. They offer a wide range of programs aimed at enhancing the lives of those they serve, and our visit gave us a firsthand look at the incredible work they do. This place is a platform where people with disabilities have the option to work and they have recently opened a coffee shop called BariStars which is a mobile café, custom built to give CatholicCare Disability participants valuable hospitality employment skills. While barista-made coffee and food will be the focus, BariStars provides innovative learning opportunities for people living with a disability. 

At the start, many of us felt a bit unsure and unprepared. We didn’t quite know what to expect or how we would connect with the people at Catholic Care. However, our initial apprehension quickly dissolved. As we began interacting with the residents, we found ourselves not only welcomed but also deeply engaged in meaningful conversations. We learned about their daily challenges, triumphs, and the resilience that defines their lives. By the end of our visit, our initial nervousness had transformed into a sense of joy and fulfillment. We were not only happy but also deeply educated about the lives and experiences of people with disabilities. We made new friends, shared laughter and stories, and our perspectives were broadened in ways we never anticipated.  

Throughout the day we spent time talking to the participants, learning about their lives, interests, and experiences. These conversations were eye-opening and heartwarming. We worked with them on activity worksheets that provided a structured way for us to interact and learn together.

Through this program we gained a better understanding of the people with these disabilities and their ability to persevere through all the challenges that they face everyday. We learnt that despite their disabilities they are just as capable of living a life of happiness and joy and they each have unique talents that should be recognised. The program enabled us to learn first hand that despite any physical or intellectual disability all people are worthy of our respect, dignity and companionship

Anastasha Harris 
Sophie Hickey
Jessica Caristo 
Deanna Buric
Year 9