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!
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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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.
Read MoreOur new premises in Redfern is a busy place these days. A talented Irish concrete team has just finished building a new access ramp to enable all women to come into Lou’s. Our builder, James Taylor, and his team are framing up a new kitchen and bathroom. He has looked after us for many years in the Cross. It’s been heart-warming how many tradespeople are helping to make our new premises possible by doing work below regular rates.
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Nurturing our women through delicious meals remains a key element in helping the women of Lou’s Place. Thanks to an incredible group of regular volunteers, our home-cooked meal service never stopped throughout the lockdowns; it has merely changed shape. Lunches have been cooked at home and placed in take away containers for the staff to hand out to anyone who comes to the door.
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What a huge success Lou’s Closet 2021 was. A new location and shorter sale time frame could not deter this amazing group of volunteers from breaking all previous records!
We held our 2021 Lou’s Closet Sale in June at the Manly Golf Club, the first time it had been held in a function room in the 12 years since its conception. The Closet has always been held in private homes across Sydney. With the arrival of Covid in 2020 and subsequent restrictions, last year’s sale was postponed.
Read MoreWriting is a powerful tool that can give clarity to thoughts and help us connect to our own self and others. With many face-to-face contacts between mums and kids in out of home care being cancelled due to COVID restrictions, letter writing can be a meaningful, creative and novel way to connect with them during this period.
Read MoreWe’re always busy at Lou’s! There have been 90 new intakes since lockdown began in June. Our staff have been busy pivoting our programs and offering support over the phone and in the digital world.
Read MoreOne of our clients, Jeanette (name changed), has been participating in the Lou’s Place online Domestic Violence groups during lockdown. She feels grateful to have found a safe place to be herself and feel supported during these isolated and difficult times.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreI 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.
Read MoreOur 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).
Read MoreLou’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.
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