Our History

1891

The Surry Hills Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul, headed by Patrick Joseph Minahan, rented a cottage to take in children who were living on the streets and in danger of being locked away.

1896

In partnership with the Society of St Vincent de Paul the Marist Brothers established St Vincent's Boys Home at Westmead for orphaned or homeless boys. The boys were given education and the opportunity to learn a trade or to work on the farm.

1940's

The Home had become a large institution. With growing emphasis on education, the buildings were extended to provide the opportunity for the boys to reach the equivalent of today's School Certificate.

1950's

The last of the trade training opportunities ceased, and St Vincent's operated like a small boarding school for disadvantaged boys.

1960's

The internal school was discontinued, the numbers reduced and the institutional aspects of the life of the boys reduced. In 1968 the Society of St Vincent de Paul formally withdrew from the partnership in operating St Vincent's.

1970's

The growing preference for foster care for children living out of home, and the closure of Homes for younger children saw the drastic reduction in the numbers at St Vincent's. Until this time St Vincent's had provided care mainly for catholic children, but now began to offer placements to the wider community in western Sydney.

1980's

St Vincent's developed into a professional family restoration programme, offering service to the wider community without discrimination. In 1985 moved from the old site into houses in the community. In 1981 The Siding opened as our first Youth Refuge, catering for the needs of young homeless people in the Nepean area.

1994

The Marist Social Welfare work was incorporated as a legal entity known as Marist Community Services. The work was still owned by the Trustees of the Marist Brothers, but operated had its own constitution and Board of Directors. Following the closure of the departmental homes for state wards, Marists began to provide services under a newly introduced contracting system.

2002

To reflect that the major thrust of the agency's work is towards the various needs of young people the Agency changed its name to Marist Youth Care. MYC currently employs 140 staff to care for up to 75 young people in a variety of out of home residential services as well as outreach and educational services.