December 2018
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Wellsprings NEWS for women December 2018 End of Year Message from Wellsprings for Women’s Chairperson and CEO migrant and refugee women, some think our programs cater for adult women only. This was very important feedback for us to hear and to plan pro-active steps in 2019 to broaden our reach to include and attract young women and all women regardless of their backgrounds. In fact we already have a number of opportunities to build on. In term four this year we started a partnership with Girl Guides which involved young girls aged 7 to 14, three of whom participated in the consultation session and provided their views and insights. > Congratulations The Board, Staff and Volunteers at Dalal Smiley - CEO, Janet Cribbes - Chairperson Wellsprings for Women would like to congratulate two It has been a very exciting and productive year for amazing local women Wellsprings with a renewed sense of energy and leaders who have commitment evident in the feedback we heard from always supported volunteers, participants and staff. Wellsprings for Women. The Board began 2018 with a planning day which gave Cr Roz Blades, has been us a focus and reconnected us with our values and elected as Mayor of City Cr Roz Blades mission. Then on the 13th of December we held a series of Greater Dandenong of consultation sessions with volunteers, participants and for 2018/2019 and our esteemed local Member of staff. We heard very positive feedback as well as honest Parliament Gabrielle Williams has been appointed as and constructive suggestions and ideas on what we need Minister for Women, Minister for Youth and Minister to improve and what other programs we could further for Prevention of Family Violence. explore. “When I joined Wellsprings I get better at English. I have We look forward to our good classes, good friends and good teachers here” continuing collaboration “I was introduced to Wellsprings by a friend to attend a with both the Greater beading workshop in the school holidays. It was so warm Dandenong Council and and welcoming. I started to volunteer and then joined State Government in as a participant in computers and Enterprising Creative furthering the Women’s Women. When I’m here I forget all my problems.” Equality agenda. We also heard that we need to work on how we are Janet Cribbes, Gabrielle Williams perceived by external groups who do not know what Wellsprings is all about. Some believe we only work with www.wellspringsforwomen.com Ph: (03) 9701 3740 www.wellspringsforwomen.com 1 (Chairperson & CEO Report - Continued) “Wellsprings is a very open space to be in. When I have spare time I just love to come here and help out. Would like yoga for after school for young girls and to do painting outside” Furthermore, we have been lucky to receive a small grant to boost our Homework Support Club for primary and secondary school students which will also attract more young people to our Centre. inclusive, relevant and hospitable Thanks to our participants who keep We heard accounts from staff on the range of programs designed to meet us grounded and inspire us with tremendous work that was achieved women’s needs and build their skills, their resilience and determination to in 2018 including the challenges of confidence and self-determination. improve their lives and the lives of increased demand on our services to We certainly owe everything we their families and children despite support women experiencing family have achieved and been able to do the difficulties and hardships they violence, mental health challenges to our funding partners in Federal, encounter on daily basis. and social isolation. This edition of State and Local governments as We wish you all a very peaceful, our newsletter illustrates one story well as the numerous philanthropic safe and love-filled festive season. of one of the women in our home organisations, donors and our May it be a time to enjoy with your visitation program. fundraising committee which did a family and friends. May 2019 be a We continue to forge ahead, Board, stellar job this year in raising much year where we move further ahead staff and volunteers supported by needed funds. in helping more women reach their Kildare Ministries Trustees, inspired In closing, we would like to thank goals and enrich our community with by the legacy of the Presentation all the staff and volunteers for their talents, stories and examples. Sisters, and united by our common the valuable and truly amazing Janet Cribbes, Chairperson mission of providing to the most achievements in 2018 and for their Dalal Smiley, CEO vulnerable women in our community. dedication, loyalty and generous spirit. We do this by providing a welcoming, Jo Stanely inaugural Patron Wellsprings for Women” said Janet Jo is hoping to open new avenues Cribbes, Wellsprings for Women’s for Wellsprings to explore and new Chairperson. opportunities for building support Jo Stanley is well known within and accessing networks. the media industry as a journalist, “I have been fortunate in my life to radio personality, comedian and TV always have felt safe and supported. Presenter. Jo was a host of Jo & Because of this, I am passionate Lehmo on Gold 104.3 from 2016 to about doing whatever I can for 2017. She previously hosted Weekend women who’s experiences have Breakfast on the Hit Network and meant they have been isolated, The Matt and Jo Show on Fox FM disadvantaged and unsafe. This is from 2003 until 2013. She is the why I am very pleased to be able to creator of the Play Like A Girl kids promote Wellsprings work and its Wellsprings for Women is proud to book series, in which she writes wonderful impact on the community. announce the appointment of Jo about gender equality, resilience and It is a grassroots organisation with Stanley, as its inaugural Patron. girls in sport. Jo currently appears on limited resources but unlimited “We are absolutely thrilled and The House of Wellness on Channel capacity for welcoming the most excited to partner with Jo as our 7 and is a member of the Ministerial disadvantaged women in the South first Patron. Jo’s background, Council on Women’s Equality. East of Melbourne. I’m thrilled to be experience, skills and connections As Patron of Wellsprings for Women, a part of their important vision for would be extremely valuable to 2019.” Commented Jo Stanley www.wellspringsforwomen.com 2 Women’s Health and Safety program Community Education Session: Men’s Consultation Group: Women’s Health and Safety program is contributing As a result of consultation and feedbacks provided by the tremendously to the prevention of family violence women who participated in the community awareness and violence against women and their children in the raising sessions on engaging with men in prevention of community. The program is working closely with women violence against women programs, women’s health and from across different culturally and linguistically diverse safety program reached out to men from culturally and backgrounds to raise their awareness on gender equality linguistically diverse (CALD) communities to engage them and equity, respectful relationship and how to prevent in the prevention of violence against women program. violence against women and their children. Men from CALD communities were invited to provide their perspectives on how to engage more men in the prevention of violence against women programs. Also to explore different approaches to work effectively with men to bring them on board as allies and supporters of these programs. A men’s consultation group meeting was held with men from Afghan, Pakistani and Indian communities. It provided a safe space for them to share their experiences and perspectives on engaging in prevention of family violence programs. Moreover, the participants discussed their experiences of migrating and settling in a new country, changes in the gender roles, challenges and opportunities for men in the space of prevention of family violence and violence against women. Participants emphasised on the need for As part of this program a community awareness initiating more discussions with men in the community on raising session was delivered to women from Pakistani prevention of violence against women. background in Pakenham. The session was received very Most of the participants were supportive of the initiatives well by the participants and twenty women participated to include men in the programs that are related to in the session. The session was run in English with prevention of family violence and violence against women. simultaneous interpretation of the content in Urdu by “I highly appreciate Wellsprings for women’s initiative to facilitators. Topics delivered in the session were including include men’s perspectives to prevention of family violence gender equity and prevention of family violence. programs. It was a very positive experience to be part of While most of the participants really appreciated that the men’s consultation group and to be able to share my the session’s content was culturally appropriate and views and experiences.” informative, there were some suggestions by the participants that there is a need for more awareness raising sessions particularly on gender equality and equity to transform some of the attitudes and practices in the community that lead towards gender inequality and family violence. “Thank you so much for organising and delivering a very informative workshop today. We appreciate you and your team’s efforts. There is a need for more similar education sessions to raise awareness on gender equity and how it contributes to ending family violence” www.wellspringsforwomen.com 3 Enterprising Creative Women Education Program In the second half of this year, we have been thrilled to launch our Enterprising Creative Women (ECW) program with financial backing from the ACFE Capacity and Innovation Fund grant.