Lou's Closet 2023
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.
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. Come and discover gorgeous clothes and accessories in an ever surprising and spectacular range of donations.
The sale of good quality second-hand clothes at Lou's Closet has raised more thank $650,000 over the past 12 years for the vulnerable women who visit Lou's Place drop-in centre. Most of the women who visit have experienced multiple traumas with the majority facing issues of homelessness, domestic violence. mental health and drug and alcohol abuse.
A Poem from Creative Writing Class
Every 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.
As I traversed this wilderness
taking out the lightkeeper's position,
shining bright like a diamond
so I could walk where I needed to
in the light and the love evermore.
The negatives gave it all away, super saturated, undercover,
the version of my mother and her dressing table,
how enchanting
truly chaos
only the refracted, reflected image was unseen.
I was lost, then in an instant seen.
Anonymous
Lou's Place Christmas 2022
Some photos of the Lou's Place Volunteers and Staff from our annual Christmas festivities.
Photographer: Amanda Lawson
Lou's Place is getting busier
It 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.
It 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. A considerable amount of networking has occurred to grow awareness of Lou’s, and also to identify what other services are available to support our clients.
With increasing attendance rates, the number of clients requesting support in terms of referrals, advocacy and in-house appointments continues to climb. More women are attending volunteer-led activities, and volunteers have commented on the 'happy vibe' in their activities. There's also a 'round the family table feel' at lunch times with raucous conversation. In fact, the demand for meals has increased by over half. The aroma of a home-cooked meal is certainly enticing when you walk in the door. It is great to see Lou's filling up again after so much disruption from COVID restrictions.
Lou's Place now has a meeting place for mums and their kids
Our 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.
Our 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. As a result, they spend limited time together in the local Department of Communities and Justice office. This can be traumatizing, and many mums comment that this environment restricts their ability to bond with their kids.
Mothers feel comfortable in the safe and familiar meeting place at Lou's, with access to age-appropriate toys, books, games and activities. They are provided with emotional support before and after contact. They're also able to seek parenting advice prior to contact with their children and reflect on this after spending time with them. We're thrilled that we're now able to offer this comfortable and safe space for our mothers.
The Career Support Programme
The 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.
The 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. Recently, a participant reviewed her resume with the support of the programme, which led to an interview for a role. She then attended a practice session where her answers were refined, and she was prepared for tricky questions that might be asked in the interview. We are thrilled that she has secured a role in a profession which she loves (and has more than doubled her salary). The Careers Support Programme is now supporting her with the completion of her on-boarding and accreditation paperwork.
Lou's welcomes Amanda Greaney as General Manager
Amanda (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.
Amanda (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. She is highly experienced in multi-service outlet management, and she has extensive programme experience with disabilities, homelessness, domestic and family violence, youth, child protection, early intervention services and gambling.
Born in Goulburn, Mandy travelled around the country extensively with her family, spending most of her youth in Sydney and the Queensland coast. She developed a desire to work in community services, specifically homelessness, after meeting people in squats and refuges, and on the streets. She realised that they were homeless for a variety of reasons: "It became obvious to me that they were often invisible. Worse than that, if they were seen, people didn’t value them. It made me so sad." She began to volunteer her time, and her career sprang from there.
Mandy has a little hut in the woods where she likes to spend her spare time, just disconnecting from the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life. If she's not there, you'll find her chilling out in her van by the ocean. Mandy brings tremendous enthusiasm and empathy to her work at Lou's. Please drop in to say hi to her when you next visit.
Alice Di Maggio, Case Manager (Always Mum)
Alice 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.
Alice 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. Alice has extensive knowledge of domestic and family violence and trauma-informed practice. She values building trust and safety as the cornerstone of therapeutic working relationships. Lou's welcomes Alice to the team.
Lou's New Mural
Volunteer 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.
Volunteer 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.
Deb chose bright colours, including Lou’s orange, to bring light and space to the formerly dark courtyard. New clients in the adjacent dining area offered their suggestions and feedback to Deb and her team as they painted, making it a truly collaborative effort. Many thanks to Deborah and her team for brightening up our courtyard!
Games Mornings at Lou's
Lou’s Place has introduced a volunteer-run Friday games morning. It’s a great way for the clients to interact with each other.
Lou’s Place has introduced a volunteer-run Friday games morning. It’s a great way for the clients to interact with each other. Over the last few weeks, we've had up to 8 participants a session. The volunteers have had such fun playing with the women, and the laughter that it brings is heart-warming. We’ve even roped in the kitchen volunteers with answering Trivial Pursuit questions. Some favourites are Jenga, Trivial Pursuit, Snakes and Ladders, Hedbanz, and card games. It opens up easy conversation among the women. There is certainly a sense of ‘when can we do this again?’ at the end of each session.
Lou's Closet 2022
Our 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!
Our 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! We were very lucky to receive a huge quantity of new designer wear from Belinda International, so we created a “Designer Emporium” in a separate room of the golf club. This proved to be a huge success with both customers and volunteers.
The annual curation of the closet requires an enormous amount of work, but our incredible team of volunteers give their time with tremendous enthusiasm. The buzz and the banter radiating through the room makes all that hard work worthwhile.
We're already planning for 2023, and we'll send out a save the date notice in due course. If you've been cleaning out your wardrobes ready for summer, and would like to donate to next year's closet, please call us. We'd be happy to collect your donated items. From the closet team organisers, a heartfelt thank you, and we look forward to seeing you all next year. Jenny Pridham and Jo Hyde. M: 0414 942 725.
Lou's Volunteers run a Bunnings Sausage Sizzle
Even 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.
Even 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. An enthusiastic core team of eight volunteers were joined by a rolling shift of two people every two hours. The day was a tremendous success, and we hope to run it again next year. Many thanks to Bunnings, Alexandria, for this fundraising opportunity.
Creative Writing Class
Every 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.
Every 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.
FEET
Time is of the essence to all things great.
How much and how long.
To adjust to time and allow things to flow.
To trust, when you've trusted before and had that
thrust to the floor.
To be just.
Justice is the law.
The freedom to be brings whispers from the trees.
Solid with long roots that have a life.
Only to be chopped down with a single blow.
What for Greed?
It is a creed that most people need.
To belong to what, what is their needs?
Needs are real, so why do people hide them?
So they remain 'whole', or is that 'hole'?
Dark and deep they seep into what they reap.
So why don't they weep from across the street?
Because they have no feet!
What to say to the people you meet.
How's your feet?
Anonymous
Settling into Redfern
Every 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.
Every 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.
But there is still much to do. We are a new member of a diverse community in Redfern with a rich history of social services. Now that restrictions are lifted, we are getting out and meeting our new neighbours, and learning a lot about aligned services and community centres. Some of these services we have known and worked with for years, but others are new to us. We are discussing the best ways we can work together to efficiently help more women; how we can offer complimentary services, ensuring we are not duplicating our efforts. There is strength and efficiencies working together.
It feels great to be in Redfern. It feels great to have our long-term home.
Volunteering at Lou’s Place
There 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.
There 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.
COVID and our move to Redfern have given us a unique opportunity to reset and expand our volunteer services. We finally have room to run simultaneous activities on both levels of the house. We’ve added cooking classes twice a month, Reiki, an additional yoga/meditation session, and guitar lessons. We have a hairdresser starting in April and we’ve also held a couple of successful budgeting workshops. We are always open to new ideas!
The Pop-Up Boutique deserves a special mention, as it’s one activity which has not moved with us to the New Lou’s. When Lou’s first opened its doors, access to quality clothing was not easy for our women. Our famous Pop-Up was established by a set of dedicated volunteers. It went through many iterations from once a month to once a week to once every two weeks. It once had its own room (later turned into a case management room), and was supported in recent years by Kennards, who generously donated storage to us. Clothing donations were made both to Lou’s directly and to Kennard’s. Our incredible team sorted, cleaned and managed all donations, while helping to provide emergency clothing the staff needed on site for women in crisis. The team would magically turn our living room into a “shop” and back again in just 3 hours. We cannot thank our boutique ladies enough for their generosity, good spirit and love for Lou’s clients.
So how do our women access clothing now? There are a number of specialised services in the community that run specific programs providing clothing and styling to our women. Our women have access to this through tailored online ordering (often assisted by their case manager), mobile “dressing rooms” (tailored trucks that come directly to services like ours) and access to their “shops”.
Always busy at Lou’s Place, the space opened up by outsourcing the Boutique has already been filled by an expansion of our professional program work on site. Watch out boutique ladies - we still need you in house for other tasks!
If you are interested in volunteering with us at Lou’s Place, or know someone who might be, please do not hesitate to reach out via our website.
Artists supporting Lou’s
Lou’s Place is so grateful for these wonderful artist initiatives. Thank you!
Acclaimed artist Wendy Sharpe and award-winning author and tech CEO Kim Chandler McDonald are collaborating to raise money for Lou’s Place. For the special fundraising exhibition, HER SHOES, Wendy has created 52 signed pastel drawings – each representing a woman who - irrespective of background, ethnicity or age – is on average, killed through domestic violence weekly in Australia. The exhibition, a co-production by Wendy and Kim, is showing at Juniper Hall, Paddington, from 29 April to 21 May.
Kim’s last book, ‘Postcards from Tomorrow’, illustrated by Wendy, continues to raise funds for Lou’s Place.
Click here to register and for more information on the event.
Jane Whiston has been a long-term supporter of Lou’s Place, for many years playing a significant role in the Lou’s Closet team. But in her day-to-day life, Jane is an artist who enjoys painting both abstract and representative work. Recently, Jane created a website, Whiston.com.au to sell her work online to benefit charities that meant something to her. She selected 3 charities: Lou’s Place, Guide Dogs and the Butterfly Foundation. 100 % of all sales are divided by 3 and donated to these charities. Her project “Art for Purpose” aims to bring the artist and the art buyer together to make a difference for organisations and the people they support. Thank you, Jane for your generous work and your thoughtful contribution to Lou’s Place.
Lou’s Place is so grateful for these wonderful artist initiatives. Thank you!
Lou’s Place Welcomes New Staff
Courtney 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.
Courtney Blackwell
Courtney 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 a student at Lou’s.
Courtney hopes that Lou’s clients will feel reassured by her calm, caring nature. She loves creating a safe space for the women who come to Lou’s.
Bambi Murphy
Bambi joined Lou's Place in late 2021 as a Case Manager. She has over 10 years’ experience in the community care sector, specialising in alcohol and other drug work, and providing social and cultural support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. She has completed a Certificate IV in Community Services, a Diploma of Community Services (Alcohol, Other Drugs and Mental Health) and a Certificate III and IV in Business Administration. Bambi’s empathy and positive attitude help her deliver trauma-informed care to women from diverse backgrounds, while advocating for the rights of women and girls across the country.
Genavieve Sakr
Gena started at Lou's Place in June 2021 as Case Manager, and she also heads up the Always Mum support program. She has completed a Diploma of Community Services and has years of professional experience in allied health care coordination, case management, counselling, and NDIS support coordination. She likes to use creative methods such as art, music and play therapies when working with her clients. Gena loves being a part of an incredible team of women who have created a collaborative and supportive environment that promotes personal and professional growth.
A Goodbye Letter from Brianna Attard
After 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.
After 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.
Developing Always Mum has been challenging but very rewarding. It’s a perfect blend of all my passions of supporting marginalised women, furthering social justice, using the legal system to improve outcomes for clients and advocating for systems change. I am extremely thankful to the Board and Nic Yade for supporting both Always Mum and my professional and personal growth.
It’s a bittersweet ending for me. I’ve always described working at Lou’s as my dream job, but I realise that it’s the right time for me to take a break and spend time with my family. Thank you to all the staff, volunteers, donors and the Board for everything you do to make this place so special.
A Good News Story
An 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.
An 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.
Maelin (name changed) is one such client who benefited from our core programs. She was referred to Lou’s Place in July 2021 by the Department of Community and Justice. After arriving in Australia in 2013 on a Partnership Visa from Indonesia, she experienced significant intimate partner violence. She fled her relationship with her son in 2019. She became involved in an anti-establishment, anti-government cult which promised her community support and financial means. They encouraged her to quit her job, denied access to basic healthcare, instilled homeschooling, and linked her with a disbarred legal advocate. She became increasingly isolated, her mental health declined rapidly, and her son was removed from her care when she was admitted to an RPA psychiatric ward in early 2020.
Lou’s Place has established rapport and trust with Maelin through Always Mum and A Woman’s Worth. They have fostered supportive connections with government agencies and provided a safe space to share her own experience within a community of women with similar experiences. She could acknowledge herself as a survivor and create a safe home for her son upon completion of Lou’s programs.
Maelin would like to maintain her connections within these groups. She has recently completed a parenting capacity assessment and it has been recommended that her son be returned to her care. This is possible thanks to the continuing support from Always Mum, and A Woman’s Worth.
Lou's Place Fundraiser - Her Shoes Art Exhibition, by Wendy Sharpe, Opening Night (April 29, 2022)
The wonderful Kim Chandler who created the book "Postcards from Tomorrow" two years ago, is very kindly doing another fundraiser for us - this time with Archibald winning artist Wendy Sharpe. We would love to support this initiative, please join Kim and Wendy at Her Shoes Fundraising Art Exhibition Opening Night, April 29, 2022 at 6:00 PM Juniper Hall, Paddington.
The wonderful Kim Chandler who created the book "Postcards from Tomorrow" two years ago, is very kindly doing another fundraiser for us - this time with Archibald winning artist Wendy Sharpe.
We would love to support this initiative, please join Kim and Wendy at Her Shoes Fundraising Art Exhibition Opening Night, April 29, 2022 at 6:00 PM Juniper Hall, Paddington.
The night features 52 new drawings by Wendy Sharpe, each representing the women killed each week by domestic violence in Australia., There will also be an auction (items include a Wendy Sharpe portrait of the winning bidder), live music, 'nibbles and sips' and more!
Register soon because space is limited.
We hope you’re able to join us! But if you can’t, please stop by Juniper Hall from April 30-May 21st and see the show and bring your friends who buy art. The drawings are wonderful and well priced for an artist of her reputation and skill.
