Centre coordinator Bonnie Comber with Illawarra Women’s Health Centre general manager Jess Davidson and Jenny Butler, Director Bendigo Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong at the branch’s 25th birthday celebrations. Photo: Illawarra Women’s Health Centre.
A quarter of a million dollars will help support women and children fleeing domestic violence in the Illawarra, thanks to a generous donation.
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre has been awarded $200,000 by the Bendigo Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong to support women experiencing or at risk of homelessness particularly due to domestic and family violence.
The donation will support women through immediate financial assistance in time of need, providing dedicated casework outreach support and access to early intervention and preventative domestic and family violence workshops.
Another $50,000 was awarded to the centre in partnership with the Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services to establish a collaborative project for the region.
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre General Manager Jess Davidson said the funds would be used to reduce the stress women suffered when they faced homelessness due to domestic and family violence.
“The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is dedicated to delivering holistic healthcare and wellbeing programs and services that support local women in need,” she said.
“We are a community-based centre supporting women through complex journeys and are proud of the programs we deliver – programs that are possible due to the generous support of organisations like Bendigo Bank.
“Having the opportunity to also work collaboratively with the Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services to further deliver targeted programs addressing the needs of local women while seeking to empower them is amazing.”
Jess was recently appointed as general manager of the centre, and has qualifications in psychology alongside a wealth of experience working with not-for-profit organisations in the disability and women’s sectors.
Illawarra Women’s Health Centre Executive Director Sally Stevenson said Ms Davidson was a natural fit for the centre, offering strategic capabilities and a strong understanding of the needs of the community.
“Jess’ previous roles and her passion for helping others while seeking to deliver better outcomes and pathways for health makes her an ideal leader for this complex role,” she said.
“I look forward to seeing what our team can achieve in the coming months.”
The funding boost is much-needed.
More than 12 per cent of households in the Wollongong local government area spend more than 30 per cent of their income on rent or mortgage repayments, according to data from Wollongong City Council.
About 2000 households in the region are on the waitlist for social housing according to data from the Department of Communities and Justice.
Bendigo Bank Oak Flats and Gerringong Director Jenny Butler said they were proud to support the centre.
“With today’s high cost of living and families needing support we, as a Bendigo Community Bank, are happy to provide support as part of our 25th birthday celebrations,” she said.
