April CEO Update

Hi WAGEC Community,

I am writing to you from the lands of the Gadigal People of the Eora Nation and pay my respects to Elders past and present.

It’s hard to believe that it’s already April, which means Walk for WAGEC is less than one month away! My heartfelt thanks goes to everyone who has registered to walk, formed groups with your workplaces, schools and community, made a donation, or organised a fundraiser to help us reach our target. The generosity of our WAGEC community is vast, passionate and filled with love. This love and passion translates to on-the-ground resources to help deliver vital services, while strengthening our communities’ awareness and commitment to ending violence against women and children. With your support we are on our way to reaching our target of $250,000, with $36,422 raised so far. Reaching our collective goal will help to build financial independence, nurture healing from trauma, enrich children’s development and prevent violence from happening in the first place.

In other WAGEC news, there are some exciting initiatives happening across our client services and in partnership with other community organisations. Some of them include:

– Trauma-Informed Yoga Program, in partnership with Weave Community Services;

– ACCESS: Workplace Skills for Women series which is a set of workshops delivered in partnership with Inner West Council;

– SEED School Holiday Program for the kids living in our accommodation across Sydney;

– Commencing the rollout of WAGEC’s new therapeutic client services framework, the CARE Model. The CARE Model will transform the way we deliver our client services.

WAGEC have also increased the support we provide to our staff working on the ground. We have provided a training allowance to support staff to up-skill and focus on their professional development. We have also initiated a focus on self-care, with the implementation of self-care plans and an allowance to support the wellbeing of our staff. We know that supporting and developing a strong and cared for workforce translates to a stronger quality of care for our clients.

To finish, I would like to send our love and strength to the communities of Queensland and Northern Rivers, NSW who are in the early stages of what will be a long recovery from the recent floods. We know well that natural catastrophes do not only strip people from their homes but also lead to an increased use of violence in families and the community. Crises have a ripple effect and demand holistic support to ensure everyone is safe. From all of us at WAGEC, we are thinking of you and holding you close to our hearts. I hope you are all staying healthy and dry.

Sincerely,

Helen