Introduction

Since 1996 the Mercy Foundation has recognised an individual, group or organisation with a clearly notable record of work for change in social and cultural structures that impoverish and disempower people.

The Mercy Foundation Social Justice Award was established by the Mercy Foundation in 1996 to mark the United Nations International Year for the Eradication of Poverty.

Again, the focus of the 2010 award will be on individuals, groups or organisations that have made a major contribution to addressing homelessness in Australia. As a result of such contributions to addressing homelessness, the Mercy Foundation confirms that these are also significant contributions to social justice in Australia.

Winner of the Mercy Foundation's 2010 Social Justice Award

On May 18, 2010, Grocon, an Australian construction company, was awarded the Mercy Foundation’s social justice award for its corporate leadership and its financial and practical support for Common Ground permanent supportive housing projects throughout Australia.

In 2007 Grocon made an initial commitment to build the new Common Ground development in Elizabeth St, Melbourne ‘at cost’. This pledge was worth some millions of dollars to this project. Grocon has built the Elizabeth St Common Ground project as a Design and Construct contract on a zero profit, zero margin basis and with a 100 per cent return of net savings to the client. 
This building, which will very soon open, will permanently end the homelessness of approximately 65 people. It will also provide about 66 additional low cost and affordable housing units for people in low wage jobs.
Since that initial commitment, Grocon has gone on to pledge the same support to all capital cities and they are currently involved in building, without profit, Common Ground buildings in Sydney and Brisbane. They have also made commitments to offer a number of positions to homeless and formerly homeless people to work on each of these construction projects.
They are the first private company to be awarded the Mercy Foundation Social Justice Award. Jane Wilson accepted the award on behalf of Grocon CEO, Daniel Grollo.

About the Mercy Foundation Social Justice Award

The Mercy Foundation Social Justice Award is a cash prize of $5000. The Mercy Foundation Social Justice Award will be presented during the first half of the year. 

Eligibility & Criteria

The activities referred to in the nomination must be activities which are currently underway or have been completed within the previous 5 years.

Through this Award, the Mercy Foundation wishes to affirm and promote:

  • The important goal of aiming to end homelessness in Australia.
  • The importance of work which is aimed at changing the things that cause people in our society to be homeless.
  • The importance of doing this work in a way which demonstrates an attitude of fundamental respect for all people.