"Affordable, accessible and liveable housing is essential for families escaping violence, particularly women and children. Its provision is a necessary component of a universal response to supporting families and in ensuring child safety."
The Hon James Wood AO QC ('Final Report - Special Commission of Inquiry into Child Protection')
The Bower Re-use and Repair Centre has both an environmental and a social mission - to divert 'waste' from landfill, by encouraging restoration, repair and reuse ('upcycled style!') and supporting those in need to access quality household items, as well as practical knowledge and skills. This project will help achieve all those goals!
With your help, The Bower will partner with domestic violence support services including Bonnie, the Women & Girls Emergency Centre (WAGEC), Parramatta Mission and Mary's House to help provide safe, liveable and affordable fully furnished homes to women and children survivors of violence.
The Bower will work with these expert and caring services to help survivors of domestic violence and their children make a fresh start, and settled in a new place, fully furnished – a new home.
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[Pictures: Just a sample of some of the furniture collections at the Bower's stores in Parramatta and Marrickville which domestic violence survivors will be able to choose from to furnish their homes,]
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There are many harrowing stories of women and children escaping violence. Anne's is just one...
Escaping violence
Anne watched the sun come up, a glimpse of orange and gold through tattered shutters, but it was enough to strengthen her resolve. She had spent the entire night awake, sitting on her friend’s couch and thinking about her life. A few months ago, Anne had gathered up her courage and with her 10 year old daughter, had left a traumatising domestic violence relationship. But her partner had refused to return her child after a visitation, and Anne now feared that she'd never get her daughter back. With no work or income, she had been forced to give up her apartment and was now couch surfing. She couldn't regain custody of her child living like that.
No job, no income, no family, no belongings and no home
For the past few months, Anne's life had spiralled downwards with no job, no income, no home, no possessions or furniture of her own and now no access to her daughter. That morning, Anne called a women's crisis service and was invited to meet with a case manager. Luckily a vacancy in a women’s crisis refuge meant that Anne could move in there directly and work on getting her life back on track. With the help of her case manager, Anne identified two clear priorities – to find a rental property so she could regain custody of her daughter and to get a job to support them both.
Life begins again
Anne's case manager worked with her in finding assistance to rework her CV, apply for jobs and progressing her applications for housing and rental assistance. Her case manager was impressed by Anne’s persistence and perseverance, and determination to improve her life. Anne’s case manager matched her persistence in finding appropriate private rental options. Finally their collective efforts paid off and Anne moved into private rental.
A house but not a home
Furnishing Anne's new apartment was a struggle. Anna's only income was her newstart allowance which had to be used for bond, rent and food. She had an apartment but no fridge, washing machine, bed, table, chairs and no couch to put in it. She had a house but not yet a home.
That's where we - and you - come in
The Bower Re-use and Repair Centre collects good quality pre-loved furniture, whitegoods and household items from homes which no longer want them all over Sydney, and try to find homes that do want them. We restore and repair what we can, and offer workshops and services to help community members gain their own skills in the 'lost art of repair'. The Bower has an environmental mission to try and stop those goods from ending up as trash in landfill.
[Picture: You can be a guest 'Collector' for the day, riding in the truck with the Bower's Collection & Rehoming Service as a reward for supporting 'From House to Home - Survivor Edition]
Making a rough road a little smoother... and helping the environment too!
The Bower wants to raise funds to help people like Anne journey out of violence and crisis, and begin again. A safe and liveable home is vital to making that happen .
With your help, the Bower will work with domestic violence and women's crisis services to help women get back on their feet and settled in a new place, but more than a place – a real 'home’.
You can help ensure women like Anne will receive a 'From House to Home' voucher that they can take to the Bower, and choose their own furnishings to suit their own personal tastes– good quality second hand furniture, whitegoods, couch, dining set, a bed and more.
[Picture: 'From House to Home - Survivor Edition' will also give DV survivors access to our Women's Shed, Repair Cafe and workshops to improve skills,s elf-esteem and strengthen their social and support network. Check out our great Rewards Packs which include special access to Bower programs including our Repair Cafe and workshops and even a chance to get creative as a guest Bower 'Curator' and Store Display Visual Designer.]
From house to home...
Anne is now well-settled in her rental property, and has over time assembled some donated furnishings to make it feel like a home. Anne has partial custody of her daughter and has full time employment, doing what she loves. Anne’s case manager continues to support her through regular meetings while she works on realising future goals such as completing and IT course and attending trauma counselling. Anne is now independent, confident and is working on her trust issues, and although she has a long way to go, she is well on the road to progress and recovery.
Anne still enjoys sunrises, but from the comfort of her own couch.
Please help others like Anne and their children start anew by moving to a safe and comfortably furnished home today.
