Mission Beautiful Australia {MBA} Magazine MBA Issue 1 March. 2014 | Page 36

Manly Warringah

Womens Resource
Centre Everyday Hero’s

T

here is a 20year documented
history of women’s
homelessness on
Sydney’s Northern
Beaches, especially for women
without custodial children.
In 2009, Manly Community
Centre and St Vincent de Paul
in Brookvale recorded more
than 300 women who turned
up on their doorstep in search
of accommodation. To address
this decades long need, in
2007 the Northern Beaches
Women’s Housing Co Op was
formed, headed by Jacquiline
Smith. Two years later the Co
Op brought together Rotary
Club of Manly Sunrise, Manly
Community Centre and the
Hunt Family Foundation (a
key source of start-up funding)
to discuss the possibility
of opening a shelter in the
area. Manly Women’s Shelter
(MWS) was finally realised

STAFF & SERVICING

thanks to further collaborative
efforts. Our secure premises two side-by-side houses with
accommodation for up to 12
women at any one time - was
found by Rotary Club of Manly
Sunrise, who negotiated a lease
and subsidised rent. Members
of Rotary Club of Manly Sunrise
painted and renovated both
houses for free. They also
installed fencing and other
security measures. Soroptimist
International (Manly) provided
furniture and set up the library.
Other community groups and
generous individuals donated
household goods, clothing and
other essential items. Manly
Community Centre provided
expert advice on how to set
up and run the shelter, which
is based on the independent
housing model. MCC also
offered relevant services to our
future clients, and continues to
do so today.

Community Centre (MCC), which for

ABOUT MWRC
Manly Women’s Shelter Inc. (MWS) is a not-for-profit community organisation working to reduce homelessness among
women on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. MWS provides essential
short-term accommodation and support services for women in
crisis to help them feel safe and rebuild their lives.
There’s a desperate need. Sydney’s Northern Beaches have broad
demographics that range from high income, affluent families to
poor, transient and/or migrant families (including a large Tibetan refugee population), and homelessness affects all spectrums.
In 2009 at least 300 women in the area did not have a place to
call home.
In 2009 nearly 300 homeless women approached the Manly
Community Centre and the St Vincent de Paul Society in Brookvale seeking accommodation, but none was available.
MWS welcomes all homeless women we do not discriminate
based on class, age, cultural background or religion. And we
recognise that homelessness is caused by many different factors
including, but not limited to, domestic violence, mental health
issues, financial strife, drug, alcohol and other addictions, and/or
other personal traumas.
MWS is the only shelter on the Northern Beaches for:
Women who are unaccompanied by children;
Women who are homeless for reasons other than domestic
violence.
MWS is a not-for-profit Public Benevolent Institution with
full Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Currently we do
not receive any state or federal funding, so your support is both
needed and appreciated.
To make a donation by credit or debit card, please click on the
PayPal button at the right of this page.
www.manlywomensshelter.org.au

Manly Women’s Shelter (MWS) aims

an annual administration fee provides

to provide homeless women with

essential support including relevant

the security, support and assistance

and legal aid. As a not-for-profit

Clothing and some toiletries

lives. We c an accommodate up to

community organisation, MWS also

are donated by the general

12 women at any one time and our

relies heavily on the time and expertise

community.

program is based on the independent

of volunteers.

2. Crisis intervention and case
management

Ana stayed with us whilst her
children stayed with family
members. Ana’s visits to her
children were supervised for
her safety.
Over time when she was healing, Ana obtained a job via job
support services. Her husband moved to Queensland
and she moved back into the
family home to care for her
children with ongoing support from her family.
* Not her real name

welfare services such as counseling

necessary to feel safe and rebuild their

CASE STUDY
Kiara*: pregnant and rejected by her
partner and own family
Kiara, aged 19, fell pregnant but
instead of happy rejoicing was met
with rejection from her partner and
her family.
The teenager came to MWS when she
was 12 weeks pregnant via Pregnancy
Help at Brookvale. She was case managed by them, and received counseling
and support. As she had no money
and was attending college every day,
MWS helped her to apply for financial assistance from Centrelink.
Kiara stayed at MWS for two months
whilst we helped find her a one bedroom low cost unit to live in. She had
a baby boy and has since reconciled
with her mother and partner and is
raising her child with their support.
*Not her real name

CASE STUDY
MWS provided Ana with
intensive counseling by a
multicultural worker. We
supported her to go to the
police and take out an AVO
on her husband, who was later charged with assault. We
also helped put her in contact
with Centrelink, as she had
no money.

housing model (also used by the
well-established Catherine House in

Our services include but are not limited

Adelaide).

to:

MWS is managed by a trained senior

1. Up to 3 months accommodation, food

welfare worker and six part-time

and clothing

trained welfare workers. Overall

MWS consists of two side-by-side

supervision is provided by Jacquiline

houses in a secure location on the

Smith, Manager of Manly Community

Northern Beaches. Women are able to

Centre.

access Centrelink payments and where

We work in partnership with Manly

possible they pay a fee for services.

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3. Access to medical care, particularly in relation to mental
health issues
4. Counseling and access to a
psychologist and psychiatrist
5. Culturally appropriate care,
particularly for Indigenous and
refugee women
6. Life skills, budgeting and job
assistance

MWS is governed by a voluntary Management Committee.
7. Therapeutic environment to
build self-esteem
Residents are invited to join in
art classes which are generally
run by community volunteers.
Also, a ‘Building Blocks’ program
is run by Manly Community
Centre to help MWS clients
“move on” and improve their
self-esteem.
8. Employment and study
assistance
MWS helps clients to find longterm employment and study
opportunities such as TAFE
business and welfare courses.

President Ellie Hunt RN, RM (Registered Midwife), BA
(Education)
Ellie is a registered nurse and midwife with 35 years of experience
in allied health and adult education. Early in her career she spent
nine years working in Africa, including three in Rhodesia (now
Zimbabwe) with Voluntary Service Overseas. She has also worked
in Mt Isa with the Royal Flying Doctor Service and in the United
States as a nurse on a cruise ship. As a nursing educator, Ellie has
worked for the North Shore Continuing Education Department;
Continuing Education (Aged Care Nursing) and for the University
of Newcastle’s research program on Aged Care. Throughout her
career, Ellie has developed a special commitment to and expertise
in disadvantaged women and the unique social issues they face.
Vice President Jacquiline Smith OAM
Jacqueline is a fully qualified Senior Social Worker with over
25 years of experience. She is the Operations Manager of Manly
Community Centre and volunteers her time as a Senior Welfare
Advisor to Manly Women’s Shelter.

Secretary & Public Officer Chris Chapman MBA
Chris is a solicitor (NSW) with an illustrious career as in-house
legal council and company secretary for listed and unlisted
public companies. He is also a fellow of the Australian Institute
of Company Directors and Chartered Secretaries Australia.
Now retired, Chris’s other interests include board positions on
two charities committed to native wildlife conservation, Strata
Communities Australia (NSW) and the Executive Committee of
the Owners Corporation of the Manly National Building. Chris
also has three adult children and one grandchild. Chris became
involved with MWS through his local Rotary Club (Manly
Sunrise) to assist with corporate governance.
Treasurer Luke Mitchell CA, B. Business
Luke is a chartered accountant who has been with Crowe
Horwath Sydney since 1998 and a Principal of their Business
Services team since 2011. In addition to the usual tax compliance,
he specialises in working with newly incorporated businesses in
structuring, to complete business plans, create accounting policies
and procedures, and review performance. Luke is a member of the
Institute of Chartered Accountants.

MARCH 2014

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