For over a decade, Marissa Papaspiros has been transforming lives through her work as a member of the Society. Now, Marissa is stepping into a new role as Vice President, Youth on the NSW State Council, bringing deep compassion and experience, as well as professional expertise in assisting people through her work with children. 

While studying teaching, she learned about Buddies Days and soon found herself volunteering with the Brekky Van and Night Patrol. Before she knew it, Marissa was leading a young adult Conference. 

All these years later, her skills with people from all walks of life have impressed and reassured people previously hesitant about helping others, even her younger brother.  

That’s what the Society does, Marissa says, “It teaches you those skills and humanises people.”

Marissa currently works as a behaviour therapist with neurodiverse children, while pursuing a diploma in counselling. Her day job has a similar philosophy to her Vincentian good works. There, she runs a program that prioritises students being ‘happy, relaxed and engaged’, which doesn’t begin teaching until children feel safe. “That’s the thing with what we do with Vinnies as well. You need to have the rapport and the sense of trust and safety,” she explains.  

As Vice President, Youth, Marissa’s priorities include ensuring young leaders remain connected to core works, services and programs. “If you’re not on the ground, then you lose a little bit of that passion, or that connection to why we do what we do,” she emphasises.  

Her second focus is on continuing strong relationships between traditional and youth Conferences. She believes in learning from experienced members’ decades of experience. 

The little things can mean a lot and an observation of the way a member asked a person we assist something as simple as, “How do you take your coffee?” has inspired Marissa to continue growing in her Vincentian character. “It’s about that sense of restoring dignity to that person in everything we do,” she notes. 

When asked for advice on sustaining long-term involvement, Marissa suggests letting secondary responsibilities take a back seat, while sustaining the motivating good works: “Just keep volunteering, because it brings you back to why we do what we do.” 

Marissa’s last piece of inspiration and encouragement for us was a favourite saying of hers from St Mary MacKillop, paraphrasing, ‘Do what you can with what you’ve got and calmly leave the rest to God.’ 

Thank you and congratulations on your new role, Marissa!