Existing services cannot meet the demand for crisis accommodation for women who are homeless. More than 50% of women in Australia who seek a bed in a crisis shelter are turned away every night, mostly due to a lack of space. Women’s Community Shelters works with communities to establish new shelters, which provide short term accommodation and support in a safe environment. This enables homeless women to rebuild self-esteem and achieve control and fulfilment in their lives. Allawah House provides such accommodation that includes a brand new mattress, which the woman is able to take with her when she gets back on her own feet. Hence the need for new mattresses.
Allawah House is run by Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) and offer medium term secure accommodation for up to 12 months. In a year where DG Christine Owen has focussed on raising awareness of Domestic Violence, sourcing seven new mattresses seemed to be a good practical way of supporting vulnerable women in our community. With the help of the new Rotary (RDG 4) Community leader Russell Grove, we sought assistance from other Rotary Groups on the Coast and nearby. We sincerely thank the Rotary Clubs of Umina, West Gosford, Kincumber, Woy Woy and West Pennant Hills & Cherrybrook. Each of these five clubs donated $500. So along with our $1,500, this enabled us to reach our target of supplying the seven mattresses along with Sheet sets and Doona Cover sets, which were delivered in June 2024.
While Allawah House is likely to close down as a women’s shelter in 2025, these ladies and their mattresses will be rehoused on the Central Coast.
We would like to thank ‘Just Mattresses’ at Bateau Bay for giving us a great deal on the mattresses purchased and organising the delivery.
