Journalism education is facing declining student numbers, claims of more students than jobs, and the challenge of remaining relevant to an industry in flux. Wise practice in journalism education is a contextually-grounded, industry-relevant, and pragmatic approach that caters both to individual student needs and the local media environment. This article discusses Project Safe Space, a pilot study in a series of university-led work-integrated learning (WIL) case studies developing "models of wise practice" in journalism education. Conceived in 2015 against a backdrop of problematic domestic violence reporting, Project Safe Space was a model of Purpose WIL, which mobilises media action around social change issues. This paper argues that university-led WIL projects such as Project Safe Space embody wise practice in journalism education by providing grounded, industry-relevant learning outcomes and enhancing graduate employability. Students emerged from Project Safe Space with a published portfolio of work, and having had the transformative experience of actively engaging with journalism in an advocacy and social change environment.