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  • Brian's story

    Brian's story

    A ReConnect case manager, and a dog, gave Brian confidence and purpose as he settled into the community. Read more

  • Amber's story

    Amber's story

    Strong determination and our specialised family counsellor helped Amber successfully return home. Read more

  • Blake's story

    Blake's story

    Support on either side of the prison gate helped Blake return to his community. Read more

  • Simon and Tim's story

    Simon and Tim's story

    Video visits helped Simon to reconnect with his younger brother Tim. Read more

  • Brian's story
  • Amber's story
  • Blake's story
  • Simon and Tim's story
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  1. The difference we make
  2. Stories

Stories of impact

Hear from our program participants and their families themselves how Vacro’s work helps make a difference.

To protect people's privacy, we don't use real names, photos or identifying details in our stories. All photos are stock photos and all names are pseudonyms. To share your personal story of the criminal justice system with us, please email [email protected]


Jordan's story

Jordan's story

With a desire to move forward with his life, Jordan reached out to our Second Chance Jobs program. Read more

Published: 3rd June, 2024

Updated: 9th December, 2025

Author: Angela Smith

Amber's story

Amber's story

Strong determination and our specialised family counsellor helped Amber successfully return home. Read more

Published: 25th November, 2024

Updated: 6th November, 2025

Author: Angela Smith

Simon and Tim's story

Simon and Tim's story

Video visits helped Simon to reconnect with his younger brother Tim. Read more

Published: 25th November, 2024

Updated: 27th November, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Blake's story

Blake's story

Support on either side of the prison gate helped Blake return to his community. Read more

Published: 25th November, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Brian's story

Brian's story

A ReConnect case manager, and a dog, gave Brian confidence and purpose as he settled into the community. Read more

Published: 25th November, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Tom's story

Tom's story

Together, we can advocate for good outcomes for the whole family, and in turn, build stronger communities. Read more

Published: 21st August, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Kayla's story

Kayla's story

With more desire than 'know-how'' to be a better parent and co-parent, Kayla joined our Family Visits program. Read more

Published: 24th January, 2024

Updated: 3rd June, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Simon's story

Simon's story

How our TWES Engagement Worker committed to supporting Simon's new beginning, wherever he was. Read more

Published: 30th October, 2023

Updated: 5th February, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Anthony's story

Anthony's story

Highlight from our Supporting Kids and Families (SKaF) program Read more

Published: 25th October, 2023

Updated: 24th January, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Daniel's story

Daniel's story

Highlight from our Parents and Families program Read more

Published: 25th October, 2023

Updated: 24th January, 2024

Author: Angela Smith

Robert's story

Robert's story

Initial feelings of scepticism and frustration were replaced by confidence in a brighter future as Robert came to trust our ReLink Reintegration Coordinator. Read more

Published: 6th December, 2023

Updated: 11th December, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Charlie's story

Charlie's story

A connection to culture, expressing through art, and the support of a ReLink coordinator has Charlie feeling hopeful about creating a bright future for himself. Read more

Published: 5th December, 2022

Updated: 25th October, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

John's story

John's story

Support Second Chance Jobs Read more

Published: 14th June, 2023

Updated: 31st July, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Kath's story

Kath's story

Kath and her sister rebuilt their relationship by changing the way the communicated, thanks to the Family Visits Program. Read more

Published: 5th December, 2022

Updated: 31st July, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Sam's story

Sam's story

How our community bicycle workshop gave Sam the skills and confidence to get his life on track after prison. Read more

Published: 23rd June, 2020

Updated: 19th June, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Paul M.'s story

Paul M.'s story

Being "back on the tools" is helping Paul as he begins his second chance. Read more

Published: 19th December, 2022

Updated: 7th June, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Maddie's story

Maddie's story

How Maddie built a new relationship with her son after he was moved from her prison. Read more

Published: 26th January, 2021

Updated: 15th May, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Ahmed's story

Ahmed's story

How our social enterprise coffee kiosk gave Ahmed the skills and confidence to get his life on track. Read more

Published: 26th January, 2021

Updated: 30th January, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

James' story

James' story

Previously, James was straight back into drugs and bad decisions after prison. This time, things were different. Read more

Published: 16th September, 2021

Updated: 30th January, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Johnny's story

Johnny's story

23-year-old Johnny had fallen through the cracks, until our support helped make a difference. Read more

Published: 22nd September, 2021

Updated: 30th January, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Joel's story

Joel's story

Joel lost his identity as a hands-on dad when he went to prison, but family counselling helped him get it back. Read more

Published: 6th August, 2020

Updated: 30th January, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Leah's story

Leah's story

Our support engaged a young mother with her goals after release – and helped her reunite with her daughter. Read more

Published: 16th September, 2021

Updated: 30th January, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Mark's story

Mark's story

Our support bridged the barrier of COVID-19 isolation to help Mark find his feet after prison. Read more

Published: 18th April, 2021

Updated: 30th January, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

Zayne's story

Zayne's story

Zayne could have been sleeping rough during COVID-19, but our support got him on track to find stable housing. Read more

Published: 18th April, 2021

Updated: 30th January, 2023

Author: Angela Smith

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Latest

  • Mental Health Practice Development Lead

    •Salary range - $110,102.72 to $114,983.44 (pro rata) Level 6 SCHADS Award 2010 + Superannuation (pay point dependent on qualifications and experience) •Ongoing part-time basis 0.6FTE to 0.8FTE (3 or 4 days per week) •2 days in the office (Tuesdays and Wednesdays) and 1 or 2 days from home •Position is based at Melbourne CBD, and will require some statewide travel with access to shared fleet vehicle •Generous not-for-profit salary packaging with employee benefits such as annual leave loadi

  • Family Therapy Program

    Family Therapy Program

    Supporting parents on both sides of the prison gate, along with their families.

  • Second Chance Cycles

    Second Chance Cycles

    Second Chance Cycles Regular Opening Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays between 10am-4pm (Closed between 1pm-2pm for lunch)  64 Harmsworth Street, Collingwood VIC 3066

  • Subscribe to the Vacro newsletter

    Subscribe to the Vacro newsletter

Most read

  • Second Chance Cycles

    A community bike workshop recycling, refurbishing and donating bicycles in the local Collingwood community.

  • Second Chance Jobs

    A new, ground-breaking employment support linking people leaving prisons with jobs 'at the gate'.

  • Work at Vacro

    Work at Vacro

    Vacro is always looking for passionate people to join our dedicated team.

  • ReConnect

    Personalised, community-based, case management support for people upon release from prison.

  • My family member was arrested, how do I find out where they are?

  • Resources

    Resources providing practical information and personal support to people and families in contact with the criminal justice system.

  • ReLink

    Supporting adults preparing to exit prison to make goals and plans for a meaningful life post-release.

  • Student placements

    Student placements

    Learn new skills at a highly regarded not-for-profit specialising in the criminal justice sector.

  • About us

    About us

    Vacro is an independent not-for-profit organisation supporting people in contact with the criminal justice system and their families to successfully reintegrate back into their communities.

  • Arc

    The Arc program supports people leaving prison who are at risk of homelessness.

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Level 1, 116 Hardware Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 96051900
[email protected]
Freecall: 1800 049871



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    © 1998 – 2024 by Vacro. All rights reserved. Registered as charity number 47004426162.

    ABN 47 004 426 162



    Vacro acknowledges the First Nations people of Australia and pay our respect to Elders past and present. We acknowledge the unbroken spiritual and cultural connections of the First Nations People of Australia to their lands. Vacro also supports the Treaty process of acknowledging that lands were never ceded.

    Vacro, as a leading voice in the reintegration field, also acknowledges that First Nations people across all jurisdictions are significantly impacted by justice systems as a direct result of colonisation. 
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