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.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreAlways 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.
Read MoreWhile 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.*
Read MoreThank 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?
Read MoreLou’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.
Read MoreFor 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.
Read MoreLou’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.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreLou’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.
Read MoreNicole 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.
Read MoreJennie, 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.
Read MoreCalm 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.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreAs 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.
Read MoreWe 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.
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