Lou’s Closet: June 7 and 8, 2021 - New Location

We are extremely excited to announce Lou’s Closet will be open for business in the stylish Manly Golf Clubhouse where you can discover a gorgeous array of donated clothes and accessories.

We need you to open your own closets for a thorough clean out and put aside the items you think someone may love to wear, thereby giving fresh life to a much-loved garment. We only accept donations in near new or pristine condition so please launder or dry clean before donating. The Closet has established itself offering high quality items, so we need to maintain this standard. We will come and collect from you or you can drop to the dedicated addresses (details below).

Drop off points:
- Pam Bartlett: 20 Wyuna St Point Piper: 0407 362 419
- Jo Hyde: 35 The Scarp, Castlecrag (on doorstop inside front gate): 0419 435 504
- Jenny Pridham: 1/31 Fairlight Crescent, Fairlight: 0414 942 725
- Jennie Kovacs: 5 Silex Rd, Mosman: 0415 451 475
- Alexa Haslingden: 25 The Crescent, Vaucluse: 0410 737 001
- Kate Armati: 1 McBride Ave, Hunters Hill: 0412 434 969

Manly Golf Club has a COVID-19 safety plan to ensure a safe shopping environment. As Lou’s Place celebrates its 22nd year of operation, the Closet is very proud to have played a significant supporting role for 11 years. It has raised more than $450,000 and in doing so, has highlighted the current social and environmental issues of re-using and extending the life of fashion resources, reducing landfill and the cost of fashion to the buyer. It has also strengthened the philosophy of Lou’s Place: “women helping women.”  Your support is needed even more this year following the cancellation of last year’s event. Lou’s Closet’s success is incredibly important to the operation and inspiration of Lou’s Place. Please don’t forget us this year!

Thank you in advance.

The Lou’s Closet Team and the women of Lou’s Place

Creative Writing

I live in a house, but I desperately want to live in a home.

To live in a home filled with love is my number one priority.

A home is where I can feel safe, where I can make it my own, 

and where I can develop a sense of pride.

I want to feel the contentment of coming home after a day out, 

where I can breathe and relax and feel safe.

This is where I can start to work on my self-knowledge and self-improvement.

I want it to smell fresh and inviting. 

And be proud to have visitors feel comfortable there.

- Lou’s Place Client (Anonymous)

Photography: Anna Turner, ‘The Doors Are Open’

Scholarship for Nicole Yade

Our General Manager, Nicole Yade, was recently awarded a scholarship from the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to complete the General Manager Program (GMP). The General Manager Program is a 5-day intensive program bringing together general managers from different sectors and backgrounds. It focuses on the development of adaptive leadership and executive practice to tackle complex problems, while also providing a great networking opportunity. 

As a result of the program, Professor Patrick Sharry and 2 MBA students have joined the Lou's Place team as volunteers. They’re working with Nicole to discuss how Lou's Place can reach more women in the years to come.

A New Staff Position for Lou’s Place

Lavender and Mahasti at the client Christmas party

Lou’s Place is thrilled to announce the new staff position of Domestic and Family Violence Case Manager. Lavender Bates (previously Lou’s Place Community Services Coordinator) has taken up this 12-month role, which complements her recent completion of a Master of Social Work.

Lavender’s position comes from Lou’s successful application for COVID stimulus funding through Women NSW. Lou’s Place is now able to expand its therapeutic and educational groupwork to clients who have experienced domestic violence. Two new groups have been established:  the first, focusing on boundaries; the second, on mental health and wellbeing.

Lavender has also recently attended MATE Bystander training through Griffith University. MATE stands for ‘Motivating Action Through Empowerment.’ The program educates lay people to feel empowered to act against violence in our community. So often at Lou's Place, we receive calls from community members who suspect violence is happening to a loved one or even a neighbour, and they are unsure about what to do. This program seeks to change that. MATE is an innovative and evidence-based approach to changing domestic violence at a community level - because always leaving change to people who are experiencing violence is no longer considered enough.

We wish Lavender well in what will be a busy and challenging new role! 

Lou’s Welcomes a New Community Services Coordinator

Jean Parker, our new Community Services Coordinator, initially joined Lou’s Place as a student in late 2020. She is completing a Diploma of Community Services (Case Management) and has several years’ experience in the community care sector, client relations and business management. Before joining Lou’s, she worked for the Department of Communities and Justice. She has extensive experience in assisting people with complex issues, particularly in relation to mental health, alcohol and/or drug use and trauma. She is responsible for the smooth running of the house, as well as supporting volunteers, students and clients. Jean says she has already learnt a great deal, and she is really looking forward to building more meaningful relationships with clients. 

Plunkett Street Community Playgroup

We are thrilled to say – YES WE ARE BACK!

2020 was a difficult time for our playgroup. We closed in March and re-opened in November in a modified, COVID safe way, with an average of 6 families per week. 2021, however, has seen as many as 26 families attending each week, with tremendous gratitude from them for our support. A huge shout out to our dedicated team of volunteers, and Leanne, our teacher, who help to make this possible.

We have a popular new yarning circle for our weekly story and music time. One of our favourite moments this term has been watching a 6-month-old baby sitting on his own, mesmerised by the story time book. He was so engrossed that Mum was able to leave him, go grab something from the other side of the room and come back without him noticing at all!  What a joy to witness.

We have many children for whom English is their second language. A little girl who would not speak at all last year, now will not stop in her excitement to communicate. We currently have 5 families who speak Russian, and 3 of those children have no English. Our play teaches them and connects them with other local children. In addition, we provide information, developmental milestone guidelines and support brochures for our families.

Lastly, we’re also thrilled to have a paediatric physiotherapist visiting our group once a month. Thank you and welcome to Mandi Chau!

Always Mum

Photography: Anna Turner, Portrait of mother and child

Always Mum is a program at Lou’s which works with women who have children in Out of Home Care (OOHC). The mothers complete a 10-week group work program which offers comprehensive case management and advocacy, while helping them to rebuild their relationships with their children. One such way is through mothers writing letters and emails to their children. We also offer the mums the opportunity to record themselves reading a story to their children in OOHC. Children missing their mums can hear their voice. We help the mums choose an age-appropriate story which they can connect to. For example, it was Mum’s favourite as a little girl, or it’s an Aboriginal story sharing culture and belonging. Volunteer Maryanne Galea has shown such compassion in helping the mums record their stories. 

Anna Turner, our volunteer photographer, has been taking portraits of the mothers for the last two years, and her framed photographs sit on many bedside tables. Having a photo that mums are proud of helps them build their self-esteem, while reflecting their hard work and the change taking place in their lives. We are very grateful to both volunteers Anna and Maryanne for their involvement with Always Mum.

International Women’s Day 2021

While International Women’s Day (IWD) is a day to celebrate the achievements of the wonderful women in our lives, it’s also an opportunity to consider how far we must go to protect women and children from violence. 66 women in Australia have lost their lives as a result of violence since January 2020.*  Lou’s Place held a vigil in Martin Place on Monday, 8 March. 66 pairs of shoes were placed on the ground to represent each life lost. Passers-by were invited to stop, reflect and place a flower beside a pair of shoes to honour the memory of each woman who died in tragic circumstances. Women of every age are at risk of violence and death every day in Australia. IWD provides a tremendous opportunity for Lou's Place to have meaningful discussions with community members about domestic violence. 

*Thank you to the researchers at Destroy the Joint. 66 known deaths were registered from January 2020 to February 2021. Thank you also to Best Buds Florist for their donation of beautiful flowers, and for their ongoing support of Lou’s Place.

Postcards from Tomorrow

Thank you to the author Kim Chandler McDonald for her tremendous effort in pulling together the book, Postcards from Tomorrow, a compilation of letters from over 270 Australian and international women to their 21-year-old selves.  What would you say to your 21-year-old self?  If you had the chance, what would you like young women today to read about and ponder?

With messages from women of comedy, theatre, TV, dance, broadcasting, journalism, activism, philanthropy, politics, business and innovation, solo adventurers and Olympic champions, Postcards from Tomorrow is an intimate sharing of stories that provide personal histories filled with surprise, heartbreak, delight and inspiration.

In honour of International Women’s Day, Kim and many of the letter writers have shared excerpts from their letters on social media and throughout their personal networks.  Lou’s Place is proud to share an excerpt from philanthropist and Lou’s Place supporter Skye Leckie, OAM.

We are also very grateful to artist Wendy Sharpe for her original artwork throughout the book which helps to capture the emotion and unique femininity of each letter.  Throughout the book, you will also enjoy entertaining shots of many letter writers at the age of 21!  Of course, most haven’t changed at all.

All proceeds from the book go to Lou’s Place (Thank you again, Kim). We hope you will consider purchasing a copy (click on the link below) and sharing it with family and friends.

Bursting at the seams – a new home for Lou’s Place

Lou’s Place is very excited to announce a Capital Campaign to raise funds for a larger, more suitable permanent home,  so that we can double the number of women we care for. 21 years ago, Lou’s Place opened in our warm, homey terrace house on Victoria Street, Kings Cross. Our terrace has not only been a symbolic home for many of our clients, but it has allowed us to provide a safe, supportive place for women in need, while helping them to heal and rebuild their lives. 

Sadly, our increasing client numbers have meant that we’ve really outgrown our terrace, and almost daily we have to put a sign on the door that Lou’s is full. This is hearbreaking, but we always find a way to see those in acute distress. However, it shouldn’t be this way. To continue with our mission, we are looking for larger premises to enable more women to access our case managers, resources, and therapeutic programmes. We also need to offer more accessible premises for our older and less able clients, who struggle with our steep internal stairs. Up to 20,000 women are homeless on any night in Sydney (ABS Census 2016) and this number continues to grow. We need to be able to help more vulnerable women in our community. COVID-19 has significantly impacted these women, not only with homelessness, but also mental health issues, domestic violence, unemployment, substance abuse and suicide.

Please join our campaign in whatever way you can. We have raised over 70% of the funds needed to purchase a new home, but we need more donations to get us across the line. Every contribution makes a difference. If you know an individual, foundation or family trust who may be interested in supporting our campaign, please contact Jacinta Clark, Capital Campaign Manager, and a Marmalade Foundation member. We would love to hear from you!

Email:  Jacinta@lousplace.com.au 

Home Sweet Home

For Homelessness Week (2 – 8 August), Lou's Place worked with the theme 'Home Sweet Home,' calling for a home for every homeless woman in our community. With the assistance of Sophie Cox, an embroidery artist, and a team of volunteers, 25 artworks were embroidered and sent to State Parliamentarians, the Governor of NSW and the Sydney Lord Mayor. 

We were thrilled that the Premier, the Lord Mayor and the Governor of NSW supported our work and posted pictures of themselves with their embroidered piece.  Other state parliamentarians also got involved, including our local MP Alex Greenwich, and Bronnie Taylor, the Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women. This work has significantly raised the profile of Lou's Place on social media. More importantly, it has helped us keep women's homelessness front and centre in the minds of our decision makers.

We used embroidered pieces as we believe that the time, and love that goes into each piece makes homelessness harder to ignore. It’s also a good fit for Lou's Place given the many art and craft activities we run. 'Craftivism' or 'slow protest' is becoming more popular worldwide While it’s certainly easier to sign a petition online, some say it’s easier to ignore. With each piece of craft taking at least 3 hours to sew and assemble, the dedication and hard work of our community is indeed difficult to ignore!

Shortly after Homelessness Week, our General Manager, Nicole Yade, was called to State Parliament as an expert witness in the inquiry into the Protocol for Homeless People in Public Places. Nicole discussed homelessness as a gendered issue and called for more social housing and services to support women who have experienced complex trauma, including improved supports for women with mental illness and addiction. ‘Home Sweet Home’ is something that everyone in our community deserves.

L - R: Lord Mayor Clover Moore, ‘Home Sweet Home’ embroidered artwork by Sophie Cox, New South Wales Governor Her Excellency The Honourable Margaret Beazley.

Lou’s Place welcomes our new patron

Lou’s Place welcomes The Governor of NSW, her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AO, QC, as our new Patron. The Governor has had an extraordinary career, grounded in her commitment to human rights, social justice and service to the people of NSW. There is no one who better personifies our values or mission. 

The Governor has always made an effort to better understand the issues facing women experiencing homelessness, addiction and mental health challenges in our community. The Governor visited Lou’s Place soon after her appointment. She toured the service and sat with a group of Lou’s clients, asking them about their lives, and what had brought them to Lou’s. She was interested in their stories and what services and programmes Lou’s clients had found most helpful.

 Like all of us, the Governor has had to pivot and re-imagine how she navigates her appointment. Recently, she invited Nicole Yade, general manager, and Alexa Haslingden, the Chair of The Marmalade Foundation, to a Zoom Catch up. She asked by name about each woman she had met at Lou’s, and what we were seeing at the coal face during the pandemic.  With this kind of empathy and intellectual curiosity, we know our new patron will make a difference during her appointment. We are so grateful to be included in her patronages.

Our marvellous kitchen volunteers

We all know that at Lou’s Place our volunteers are our heart and soul. The incredible dedication of a small group during our initial lockdown in Sydney has been a most poignant indicator of their compassion.

As everything closed around us, Lou’s remained open.  Everyone was pivoting to try to manage as well as possible.  A small team of regular cooks, some with their families assisting, were the answer to being able to continue our essential lunch service.  Our COVID-19 cooking team prepared beautiful meals and packaged them in take-away containers.  The staff distributed meals from the front door, often giving several meals to encourage and enable our women to stay home as much as possible.  Extra meals were frozen to keep our stocks up. Cooks worked in Lou’s kitchen every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. 

So, to those kitchen volunteers, a huge and heartfelt thanks for their steadfastness, bravery and the vital nourishment that they provided.  And to everyone who has reached out with offers of help, thank you! As we continue to open up and bring more classes and services back into Lou’s Place, we need you now more than ever!

Lou’s Place art and writing competition

Lou’s Place would like to extend congratulations to Fiona, Sonia, Tara, Claire and Angelina as the winners of our 2020 Art and Writing Competition. Entries included poetry, autobiography, and a chapter of a book. We thank everyone for taking the time to share their insight, experience and beautiful messages. 

WOMEN

Women are wonderful, wild, wilful, whimsical at times. 
Women are tender, gracious, thoughtful at times. 
Women are strong, fierce and full of life. 

Women are special and go through lots.
We support, guide, care and sometimes want to hide. 
Women get hurt, ignored, mistreated, abused and contrived.

Women find love and hope to give life. 
Women are peacemakers, we can smile through pain. 
Women can also be a pain, but they smile through that and find peace again. 

If you know a woman, be so grateful for that.
Give her a smile, hug, love and some light in her life. 

Tara, April 2020

Kindness Calls

Nicole Yade, general manager of Lou’s Place, initiated ‘Kindness Calls,’ to help our clients cope with the isolation of COVID-19.  The calls have enabled Lou’s Place volunteers to stay in touch with clients, and they give some comfort to the many vulnerable women currently unable to access the service.  Volunteers have been trained and then paired with a client for twice-weekly phone conversations. It has been a simply wonderful experience for both volunteers and clients.  

From her response, I know she hugely appreciates the time we spend on the phone, when we can share thoughts, ideas and even swap recipes.  We talk a great deal about music, which we both love. I have even been able to teach her some simple things, which is something quite unique for me, as a music teacher used to “in person” students. But, with her little keyboard, she is learning to play simple melodies which bring her great pleasure. I listen over my phone as she proudly plays what she has practised.  What she does is remarkable for one with severe disabilities, and she is thrilled, but not as thrilled as I am.  For me, Kindness Calls have been an unparalleled way of supporting the women who come to Lou’s Place and one which has been mutually rewarding.

Carol, Volunteer

Handmade face masks

Jennie, a volunteer who usually runs a weekly sewing class at Lou’s, has been making face masks for staff and clients. She has been using her own material supplies, but as many people have begun making masks at home, Jennie has had difficulty sourcing elastic. She said,

“Luckily we did a road trip a few weeks back and I bought a few more packets in Gunnedah. I think I’ve made close to 100 but I’ve lost count, I just sew a few every couple of days and drop them in to Lou’s.”

Many thanks, Jennie, for your beautiful handiwork!

Calm Together

Calm Together is a series of trauma-informed relaxation sessions for Women which began in March as a response to COVID-19. The daily relaxation sessions are conducted by Lou's Place staff members, and focus on different aspects of movement, breath, and mindfulness. Its intention is to provide an opportunity to calm, ground and connect with ourselves as well as our community. These brief sessions have been created specifically with beginners in mind. 

Calm Together is open to the entire Lou’s community - friends, colleagues, workers, clients, and their families. Lou’s Place is also an accredited Work and Development Order (WDO) provider. Clients can therefore access Calm Together to complete their WDO as an alternative to paying off their fines. This is significant because many services acting as WDO providers have closed during COVID-19, making it difficult for clients to complete their WDO. Calm Together has had such a positive impact for many, and one client has enthusiastically declared that ‘GRATITUDE is my new ATTITUDE!’

Calm Together runs from Monday to Friday at 2:00 pm via teleconference.
Simply call:  1800 556 264.   Password:  27 11 571# 

A Woman’s Worth

We are currently preparing for the third round of A Woman’s Worth, a 4-week online domestic violence education group facilitated by case worker Brianna. The course adapts our regular face-to-face Women, Choice & Change group so that we can continue to offer it during COVID-19.

The course covers topics such as warning signs, the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships, what violence looks and feels like, boundaries, communication, self-esteem and self-care. The group has been a great success, with 27 women completing the course to date. This course has attracted a diverse range of clients to Lou’s Place, including women we don’t often see at the centre. Some of these women are housed and are in long-term, stable employment. We have welcomed numerous new referrals from domestic violence court services, rehab centres, as well as self-referrals.

As a response to the domestic violence education provided, some women have made the big decision to leave their relationships. Many of the participants in the most recent round of A Woman's Worth are going on to complete another online well-being group, The Upward Spiral, currently in its second round. Brianna commented that for the clients who successfully complete one course, and then enrol in another, it’s a clear indication of how much they are enjoying and benefiting from these online groups.

Accommodation for Lou’s clients

As COVID-19 has seen a significant shift in the way we work, Lou’s Place volunteered to work with Neami National, The Department of Family and Community Services and Justice, as well as Housing NSW, to find safe, permanent accommodation for Lou’s clients.

Neami is a community-based organization that provides services to improve mental health and wellbeing in local communities. With over fifty new referrals since the beginning of COVID-19, staff have welcomed this collaboration, supporting long-term rough sleepers to navigate the multitude of services and systems required to find accommodation.

On Thursday 30 July, we held an Open Day for our new community members, providing them with self-care packages. One client commented that she really appreciated learning more about the services that Lou’s Place offers. Another client said that time spent with staff and volunteers helped to ease her social anxiety.

The relationships that Lou’s Place has built with these organizations, provides assurance that we will be able to continue to support our clients in their search for permanent accommodation.

A note from our social work students

We are truly humbled by the strength and resilience of the women who come to Lou’s Place, as well as the dedication of the staff and volunteers who support them and coordinate the therapeutic programmes. We have not only had the opportunity to apply our skills and knowledge, but equally we’ve been able to learn from the stories and experiences shared by Lou’s clients. We can only imagine what the house would be like, full of interesting groups and fun activities! We have learned so much and cannot thank Lou’s Place enough for the learning opportunities provided. Finally, a big thank you to Nicole, general manager, and her dedicated team for their continuing support of the women who access the service.

We wish you all the best!

Kind Regards, 
Harshita and Elizabeth
Social Work Students