Valuing Voices ~ Our Stories Matter

Our project has 3 stages 1. “Our Stories:” Offering all-inclusive family violence information sessions and FREE community workshops using drumming/dancing, arts/crafts/writing and mindfulness practices as a vehicle towards personal expression and emotional empowerment. Offered in Jan / Feb 2019 (school holidays). 2. “Free-to-Be-Me:” Empowering exhibition by workshop participants giving voice to personal experiences of oppression and expressing hopes for a brighter future. This will run on International Women's Day 3. A booklet “Valuing Voices - Our Stories Matter” based on workshops and exhibition content launched as a community event on the day of the Reclaim the Night March, Melbourne, 2019.

Our community will be a better-safer place to live when we care for the wellbeing of women and children at all times.
Family violence is an abuse of power and control that silences victims and destroys the quality of life for vulnerable children.
Socially inclusive programs unite people from diverse backgrounds.
Increased social interaction provides opportunities for victims to be heard.
Learning about the dynamics of abusive relationships and preventing further violence reduces the risk of mental health issues.
Our project creates temporary work for local under-unemployed women. Providing a sense of purpose increases individual wellbeing and builds community capacity.