Seton Villa was founded by the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, opening the first residence on 23 August 1966.

The Daughters of Charity are a world-wide community of women who seek and serve God by supporting and empowering the poor and marginalised in the resounding spirit of humility, simplicity and charity. Saint Vincent de Paul and Saint Louise de Marillac founded the Daughters with the goal to assist the sick, poor and aged in France 1633. In the late 1950s, the Australian Daughters of Charity recognised there was an unmet need in NSW for the support of people with intellectual disabilities and their families. Thus, Seton Villa was born.

The original Seton Villa residence accommodated 20 residents between the ages of 16 and 30 with the aim of encouraging and nurturing their development and potential. Residents were taught daily living skills, household chores, crafts and were encouraged to get involved in community, social and physical activities.

On 12 May 1984, Seton Villa’s residents moved out of the original group residence into a series of shared homes throughout the local Marsfield community. This move was revolutionary for its time, empowering the ladies of Seton Villa to live in community while supporting their greater independence.

Today Seton Villa has seven residential houses to support our Housing and Supported Accommodation services, and “Jenny’s Place” for our Social and Community Participation program. We are a small, tight community committed to creating a safe and dynamic lifestyle environment for the ladies that is aligned to the guiding principle: Seton Villa is a community. As members of the Seton Villa community, we respect and nurture the rights of people with disabilities to be active members of the broader community while pursuing their personal interests and goals.

“Be very gentle and courteous toward the people you serve; love them tenderly and respect them deeply.” St Louise Marillac