A big thank you to the Potts Point Rotary Group, who donated the funds to purchase an additional freezer. They have been such good supporters of Lou's Place.
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We are very excited to announce that the 2023 Lou's Closet will once again be open for business on May 1st and 2nd at the Manly Golf club.
Read MoreEvery week, a group of women sit down with a cup of tea, pen and paper to participate in an hour of creative writing. We write letters, short stories and poems. It's light and funny at times, and sometimes it makes us cry. But it's also encouraging and uplifting to share our writing with each other.
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Some photos of the Lou's Place Volunteers and Staff from our annual Christmas festivities.
Read MoreIt has been another busy few months at Lou’s Place. The numbers continue to grow (539 visits in June and 493 visits in July), which requires the team to be adaptable and flexible to ensure that the service continues to deliver what the women need.
Read MoreOur new location has allowed Lou’s Place to offer space for mothers who have had children taken away and placed in out of home care. It's a warm and welcoming room for their supervised visits with their children who are in out of home care. Many mums that we work with don't have a suitable space to meet with their kids.
Read MoreThe Career Support Programme at Lou's Place offers one to one assistance for women in their search for employment. It comprises guidance with writing resumes and cover letters, making online applications, setting up job alerts and interview practice.
Read MoreAmanda (Mandy) started at Lou’s Place as General Manager in March 2022. She comes to Lou’s with over 20 years of leadership experience, predominantly in community services for women and children. She is passionate about social justice, ensuring that the most vulnerable within our community are supported to access their rights.
Read MoreAlice started at Lou’s Place in May 2022 as the Always Mum Program Case Manager. She holds a Bachelor of Criminology & Criminal Justice, and a Master of Social Work. She has spent time working with children and families in early intervention, domestic and family violence and out of home care.
Read MoreVolunteer art teacher Deborah Mills was invited to paint a mural for the courtyard. It was suggested to include a tree, and that it be happy and uplifting. Deb had never painted a mural before, as she usually works on a much smaller scale. However, she learnt as she went along, with assistance from Lou's clients, Sera, Clare, Katherine and her granddaughter Grace, who all come to Deb's art classes. Deb also enlisted her friend Mary, a fellow artist, to work with her on the mural.
Read MoreLou’s Place has introduced a volunteer-run Friday games morning. It’s a great way for the clients to interact with each other.
Read MoreOur Lou's Closet sale was held in May at the Manly Golf Club for the second time, resulting in another extraordinary year of selling second-hand designer wear. We raised over $112, 000!
Read MoreEven though the day dawned cold and wet, a great day was had at Alexandria Bunnings on Saturday, 3rd September. We got through 77 kg of sausages and 50 loaves of bread, plus quite a few litres of sauce. We made a profit of $3,295.
Read MoreEvery week, a group of women sit down with a cup of tea, pen and paper to participate in an hour of creative writing. We write letters, short stories and poems. It's light and funny at times, and sometimes it makes us cry. But it's also encouraging and uplifting to share our writing with each other.
Read MoreEvery week our new premises in Redfern feel more like home. Many clients have found their way from Victoria Street to 67 Renwick Street. There are many familiar faces, as well as new faces popping in to find help, community and a safe space. While we continued to run our important therapeutic programs during the pandemic via zoom, we are thrilled to have our in-person groups back up and running. Slowly we are returning to the activities and events that give Lou’s the community and laughter we all missed during lockdown.
Read MoreThere is nothing quite like the feeling of comfort and goodwill when you walk into our lovely New Lou’s, to be greeted by the aroma of a delicious home cooked meal. Added to that, the friendly atmosphere generated by lively and jovial conversations coming from our specialist activities, you have a very special place indeed. The unique talents and various backgrounds of our volunteers bring together a common sense of purpose; women helping women.
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Lou’s Place is so grateful for these wonderful artist initiatives. Thank you!
Read MoreCourtney began her role as Community Services Coordinator towards the end of 2021. She previously worked for ten years in the travel industry, and for four years as a team leader. She wanted to use her people skills to encourage and support vulnerable women, so she completed her Certificate IV in Community Services in 2021 while working as student at Lou’s.
Read MoreAfter four beautiful years, I am leaving Lou’s Place. I started here as a student on placement before becoming the fifth team member as a case manager, and then worked as the Always Mum Coordinator. There are so many highlights: meeting new, strong women every day, sharing every high and low with my wonderful co-workers, and most importantly, helping to create Always Mum.
Read MoreAn increasing number of women have come to Lou’s since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, domestic violence support services were provided to 98 women. This increased to 202 women in 2020, and 377 women in 2021. Many have participated in our core programs, Always Mum and A Woman’s Worth. 40% of our clients are in both programs, with many women needing support both with domestic and family violence, and also after the placement of their children into out of home care.
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