Connected through the language of play at MacKillop Family Services

Introduction

We are delighted to share the story of Mercy in Action at MacKillop Family Services’ Multicultural Playgroups in the Melbourne suburbs of Footscray and Braybrook.

Mercy in Action

Every morning in the inner west of Melbourne, Australia, the community wakes up in many languages. The voices reflect waves of migration from Asia, East Africa, Europe and more, each carrying a story of arrival and of starting over.

For many of these families, finding a sense of belonging can take time.

Since 2013, MacKillop Family Services’ Multicultural Playgroups in the Melbourne suburbs of Footscray and Braybrook, have offered something simple yet profound: a welcoming place where families can connect, children can play, and no one feels alone.

What began as a playgroup has become much more than a space for early learning. It is a community built on friendship, trust and shared humanity.

Each week, parents, carers and children gather together, representing a rich tapestry of cultures, languages and experiences. Around morning tea tables, stories are exchanged, friendships are formed and barriers begin to fall away.

While children play, learn and grow in confidence, adults find connection and support in others who understand the challenges of settling into a new community.

Mercy in Small Moments

Mercy is often found in these small but meaningful moments.

It is found in the warm welcome offered to a newcomer. In the patient listening when someone is struggling. In the reassurance that help is available and that no one needs to navigate life’s challenges alone.

The playgroups create a space where families are met with dignity, understanding and care. MacKillop staff are there not only to support children’s development, but also to listen, guide and connect families with services when needed. Over time, relationships deepen and trust grows.

Around this trusted space, a wider circle of support emerges. Early years specialists, local council teams and community organisations contribute practical advice and assistance, helping families access opportunities and overcome challenges. What might otherwise be difficult to navigate becomes more accessible through the strength of relationships.

Perhaps most powerfully, families themselves become part of the story of mercy.

Parents who once arrived feeling uncertain begin welcoming others. Those who received support extend that same kindness to new families finding their feet. Care is shared, multiplied and passed on.

Today, hundreds of children and families participate in MacKillops’ Multicultural Playgroups each year, but their true impact cannot be measured in numbers alone.

Their impact is seen in children gaining confidence and forming friendships. In parents finding community far from their country of birth. In the quiet transformation that occurs when people feel seen, valued and included.

Through simple acts of welcome and connection, these playgroups remind us that mercy is not always found in grand gestures. More often, it is found in creating a place where people belong.

Four legs lead the way back to school

Sometimes mercy arrives on four legs.

For Amber, school had become a place of fear. Living with autism and a sensory processing disorder meant that the noise, movement and unpredictability of the classroom felt overwhelming. Her anxiety grew so intense that she could no longer walk through the school gates. For almost a year, she was unable to attend school.

Her mother, Peta, and Amber’s teachers tried everything they could think of, but nothing seemed to help.

Then Amber was introduced to MacKillop’s Paw Pals program.

Working alongside facilitator Susie and therapy dogs Barney and Lucy, Amber experienced something she had been missing for a long time: calm acceptance.

The dogs asked nothing of her. They simply met her where she was. Their gentle presence created a sense of safety and trust that opened the door to new possibilities.

Slowly, Amber’s confidence began to grow. With the support of the Paw Pals team and the companionship of the therapy dogs, she was able to return to the classroom. What had once seemed impossible became achievable, one small step at a time.

For Peta, the change was extraordinary.

A year later, Amber was preparing to start high school, making friends and embracing new experiences with confidence.

Peta says: “Paw Pals is simply magic. It’s not just about having a dog in the classroom. It’s the support around the child that makes such a difference. The team helped Amber develop strategies to stay calm, feel safe and regulate her emotions. It has been life-changing for her.”

At its heart, mercy is about recognising the dignity and worth of every person, especially when they are struggling. It is about offering understanding instead of judgement, presence instead of pressure, and hope when the path ahead feels uncertain.

Through Paw Pals, that mercy is expressed in a unique way. The quiet companionship of a therapy dog helps children and young people feel seen, accepted and supported at a time when they need it most.

Since 2018, more than 1,700 students have been supported through the Paw Pals programme. Yet the true impact is found not in numbers, but in stories like Amber’s.

Stories of children rediscovering confidence, reconnecting with learning and finding their place once again.

Mercy often begins with a simple act of connection. For Amber, it started with a wagging tail, a gentle presence and the reassurance that she did not have to face her challenges alone.

Listening with the heart - MacKillop’s National Youth Advisory Group

For young people living in residential care, feeling heard can make all the difference. When life has been marked by disruption, uncertainty or trauma, knowing that your voice matters is a powerful act of care.

This belief sits at the heart of MacKillop Family Services’ National Youth Advisory Group, where young people are given genuine opportunities to share their experiences, influence decisions and help shape the services that support them.

In one recent project, young people living in MacKillop residential care worked together to create a video about what makes a great residential care worker.

Drawing on their own experiences, they spoke openly about the qualities that matter most: kindness, consistency, trust, respect and the willingness to listen without judgement.

The young people also shared what helps them feel supported during difficult times. Their insights were simple yet profound, reminding us that meaningful relationships are often built through everyday acts of care, patience and understanding.

The video is a testament to the value of listening to those with lived experience. It recognises that young people are experts in their own lives and that their perspectives can help create better outcomes for others.

Mercy is not only expressed through the support we offer. It is also found in our willingness to listen, to learn and to be guided by those whose voices are too often overlooked.

By creating space for young people to share their wisdom, MacKillop honours their dignity, celebrates their strengths and acknowledges their vital role in shaping the future of care.

With courage and generosity, the young people involved in this project have helped others better understand what it means to truly walk alongside a young person. In doing so, they have offered a powerful example of mercy in action: giving voice, creating understanding and helping build relationships grounded in respect and hope.

MacKillop extends its heartfelt thanks to the young people from the National Youth Advisory Group who generously contributed their time, experiences and insights to this project.

Watch the video here on what makes a great residential care worker: https://youtu.be/J7lL5NIdlns

Editor’s Note: Three wonderful examples of Mercy in Action in different ways at MacKillop Family Services.

Photos used with permission.