Anglicare Victoria commenced in July 1997 when three of the State's largest child and family welfare agencies joined together - the Mission to St. James and St. John, St John's Homes for Boys and Girls and the Mission to the Streets and Lanes.

Combined, these three former agencies had over 260 years experience in providing care and support services to Victorians in need.

The Mission to the Streets and Lanes commenced in 1886 providing food, shelter and pastoral care to women and children in inner-city Melbourne.

In 1919, The Mission of St James and St John was established.

Originally a broad-based city mission, within a few years the organisation began focusing on the needs of homeless children, lone mothers and families in need.

In 1921, St John's Homes for Boys was established. By 1958, the home had also began caring for young girls and changed its name to St John's Home for Boys and Girls.

Today, Anglicare provides over 100 different programs to support disadvantaged children, young people and families from over 40 centres across Victoria.