JESS was founded on 1 August 1995 by the Society of Jesus Thailand. The office is in Xavier Hall, Bangkok, under Father Alfonso de Juan SJ as the director, and Ms. Dhananuch Meankere (Kob) as the Associate Director.


JESS is inspired by the Jesuit Constitution, the tradition of the Society of Jesus, the General Congregation 34, the Naples Congress of the Jesuits in Social Apostolates, Father Peter-Hans Kolvenbach's (the Gerenal of Society of Jesus)  letter to the Jesuits `On the Social Apostolate' 24 January 2000, as well as the previous works of our Jesuits in Thailand.

The politico-social evolution of Thailand and the important events that have taken place, helped JESS to start defining more concretely the points of insertion. Our experiences in working with the refugees from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and the immediate needs and plights of the young victims of sexual abuses in Thailand, all helped us to start  the first projects with the most useful assistance of Mr. Phanlop Meankeeree (Tan).

JESS is supported by voluntary donors and friends, from inside Thailand and from abroad (Europe, Japan, USA). It is, therefore, like an NGO in its kind of work.