A snapshop of Victoria’s men’s behaviour change programs

Men’s behaviour change programs are currently run, or in the process of establishment, in approximately forty locations throughout Victoria. Recently, No To Violence (NTV) released the results of a survey that provides a snapshot of the work of these services and levels of demand. In this article, Rodney Vlais, Policy and Practice Coordinator at NTV, explores the current context of this work and provides an overview of the findings.

Read the article A Work in Progress here

IMPACT’s year in review

1. 1.provision of 350+ Xmas and Mother’s Day hampers via 25 refuges with whom we have built a relationship - each hamper is valued in excess of $150 depending on the goods donated and is supplemented with a supermarket voucher not redeemable for alcohol or cigarettes
   
   

2. 2.provision of Xmas gifts to children in the above refuges
   
   

3. 3.provision of grants to women at crisis accommodation based on the recommendation of case workers including:
   i. bond payment for accommodation
   ii. payment of funeral costs of mother who died leaving 6 children under the age of 15
   iii. out-of-pocket surgery expenses for a young boy with a debilitating eye condition
   iv. urgent repairs of motor vehicles enabling the women to remain independent
   
   

4. 4.provision of a monthly donation to ‘Brenda House’, a series of refuges in the Eastern Suburbs, to be used for basic food and hygiene supplies thereby freeing up the meager government monies they receive to be directed to program and service delivery
   
   

5. 5.complete refurbishment of a house including repairs, painting, furniture, white goods, furnishings etc utilising the $10,000+ raised by the guys and gals who undertook the Murray to Moyne bike challenge using impact as their chosen charity
   
   

6. 6.awareness and fund raising events
   
   

7. 7.provision of locked cupboards in a few refuges containing cooking and eating utensils for the use of families who adhere to Kosher or Halal guidelines
   
   

8. 8.and more...
   

The year concluded with the receipt of notification of a $10,000 grant to be given by the QBE Foundation. We will notify you next year of how we have applied that grant.

None of this could have occurred without the support, encouragement, donations and efforts of YOU - the friends of impact.
Thank YOU!!!!!!

Our stupendously successful Chrissy Hamper Packing Day

The impact team is STILL on a high from the wonderful atmosphere of friendship, collegiality and teamwork on display yesterday morning (Sunday 11 December) as we all worked towards a common purpose of making an impact.

Last year, at any one time, there were some 300 Victorian women and their children living in crisis accommodation  due to domestic violence.

This year, that number has risen to 360 at any one time and that's taking into account that at least 2 houses are currently empty because they are in need of urgent repair and refurbishment.

One refuge for instance, usually caters for 15 women at any one time , is currently housing and caring for 45 women PLUS their children!!

The time and effort given by our volunteers and your donations,are INVALUABLE. Please be under no misapprehension, together, yesterday, we made a BIG IMPACT!!

Thank YOU!!!!!

Forward planning commences for Mother’s Day Hampers

With our Chrissy hamper packing done and dusted, it's time to start Mother's Day planning.

How can you help? Let's count the ways...

1. 1.Tax deductible monetary donations, of course, are invaluable and really needed - you can donate online here
   

2. 2.Many major stores are, at the moment, selling boxes of chocolate very cheaply - like $5/box at Coles and Kmart for instance. Please buy up as many as you can afford and let us know at impactforwome@gmail.com - they'd be a lovely addition to our Mother's Day hampers
   

3. 3.Scarves, jewellery, personal care items etc are always great to include in our hampers
   

4. 4. Any other suggestions are ALWAYS welcome
   

5. 5. PLEASE talk about impact to your family, friends and colleagues and get them to at least follow us at our website or Facebook page - the more we spread the word of the reality and tragedy of domestic violence in our community, the sooner we can start really doing something about stopping it
   

We'll need to pack at least 360 hampers so, if you can, please start donating/collecting/asking other people etc.

With your help, we can make our Mum's Day hampers as good as or even better than this years Chrissy hampers.