Emerge Stories

In just four months since Emerge’s 24/7 refuge opened five women and 12 children have had their lives begin to turn around.

There’s one element missing at Emerge’s new refuge and that is a sensory garden, according to Executive Officer Paula Westhead.

Over the past few months and throughout the stringent pandemic restrictions and lockdown, Emerge therapist Jane has been meeting a young boy every week for arts therapy.

The word crisis in Chinese can be either an opportunity or a danger depending on one’s perception of the situation. For the staff and volunteers at Emerge, COVID-19 has been challenging but also an opportunity to work differently and learn new skills while retaining a trauma-informed approach to the work.

It goes without saying that security is a vital component in keeping women and children safe.

Asha is living her own version of Escape to the Country, thanks to the Victorian Government’s flexible support package program.

In its submission to the Family Violence Reform Implementation Monitor, Emerge has highlighted many gaps and emerging trends that have been exposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is finally Spring. There are signs of new life: bulbs emerging through the winter soil, birds nesting and trees waking up. It has been a very difficult winter for us all locked up in our homes as we endeavour to beat the pandemic.

Helen Ewing has long been an advocate for women. In fact, she has made a professional and volunteer career out of mentoring women. Her passion drew her to volunteer with Emerge a year ago and she has not looked back.

Lipstick and chocolate…the perfect coupling for many women and both had a central place in the Bags of Love handed out on Mother’s Day.