Unconditional Support to Recover

Everyone’s story is different. For women and children escaping domestic violence, tailored support helps address the needs of the family and provide long-term solutions. Through our 11 refuges in NSW, everyone who seeks our support is assisted on a case-by-case basis, for outcomes that meet individual needs.

Maya’s Story

Maya was assisted at a women’s support service in NSW.

When Maya came to Vinnies in need of support, she was experiencing homelessness for the seventh time in her life. Migrating to Australia after surviving complex childhood trauma in her home country, Maya’s life involved many abusive relationships. This included the fathers of both her children, each very different but equally damaging in their abuse.

After her twin sister passed away from substance abuse, Maya’s mental health spiraled through grief and loss. Her family became fractured, as one of her teenage children moved to live with their father. Moving constantly to find work, Maya continued doing what she could to provide for her family and see both her children. After her ex found a new partner and she was again looking after both children on her own, she reached out to Vinnies for help.

Arriving at our Community Support Service, she was experiencing health issues and unable to gain weight. Addressing her health needs as a priority, Maya was connected with health services for both her physical and mental health. Unconditional support from her case manager helped Maya to feel loved and supported, “Like a mother role model, I’ve never had since I was 15”.

After speaking with a Financial Counsellor, Maya no longer has any historical debts, and with the help of our staff her family is now on the priority wait list for social housing. One of Maya’s children now attends Head Space for wellbeing, and the other successfully applied for a FACS Educational Scholarship for year 12.

The Supre Foundation has generously donated $66,593 so far to Vinnies to help us provide critical support to girls and women across the country impacted by COVID-19, specifically to victims of domestic violence during this unprecedented time. We are so grateful for the Supré community in helping us continue to provide crisis accommodation and shelter, and long-term support and friendship, for women and children wanting to build new lives and move away from relationship violence. In addition, from now until end of December, 100% of proceeds from all Supré Foundation products will be donated between Vinnies, Food Bank and Beyond Blue to help with food, shelter and mental health services for vulnerable women during this uncertain time.

You can make a difference with a Supre Foundation tote, lip balm, tissue pack or mints. They have also recently added a Supre Foundation mask to the collection to help curb the spread during COVID-19.