Emerge Stories

Welcome to 2019, the Year of the Pig which is associated with opportunity and expansion. This certainly reflects what is happening at Emerge. This year is one of opportunity as we continue apace with the building of the new refuge, which will provide flexible accommodation for women and children escaping family violence. The refuge will enable us to support more women and children in crisis and through their journey to safety and ...

In May Emerge will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its arts therapy programs which have changed the lives of women and children. Emerge has one of the longest running arts therapy programs in Victoria, and its results have inspired many family violence services around the world to investigate establishing similar programs. emerging heARTs will see Emerge supporters, and past and current clients gather at a very special party to celebrate the ...

Sofia* and her two children know only too well what it is like to live in extreme fear. After escaping violence, she fled her partner and was living in temporary accommodation. For a while she thought she was safe until her former partner found her in a shopping centre. Fortunately, she was referred to Emerge, and through its involvement in Safe at Home, a Victorian Government initiative, Sofia and her children are being supported in many ...

Emerge is one of three organisations that have invited by The Funding Network to pitch an idea aimed at keeping people out of homelessness. Executive Officer Paula Westhead will spearhead the pitch for $40,000 to provide funding for a Rent in Advance trial. If successful the money would be used to fund one month’s rent for women and their children, who otherwise would be sleeping in cars, couch surfing or staying with their ...

Kirsty Budge is on a mission to create a mural with children as part of her time with Emerge as community artist. The children, currently supported through Emerge’s Arts Therapy program, will work closely with Kirsty to create an intuitive based artwork. Kirsty says the piece will be a true collaboration, guided by trust and respect for each other, and imagination. Kirsty Budge is thrilled with being appointed community artist, saying it is a ...

Art therapist Jane Gronow understands the effect of trauma on children and their mothers.  She has worked in conflict zones such as Bosnia, Kosovo, Russia and Myanmar, seeing first-hand the effect of gender based violence on women and children.  As a drug and rape counsellor, she has helped women tell their devastating stories in a bid to heal their hurt. Each experience has left Jane reaching out to the power of art therapy as one way to ...

For the past three years Jacques Marconnet has been Emerge’s go-to person to get things fixed. Whether it is putting up shelves, painting a fence, fixing up curtains, Jacques is always there to help except for plumbing and electrical work.   Jacques became involved with Emerge after attending a Rotary Club where he heard about the work of the organisation to keep women and children safe. “I learned that they needed someone to help with ...

As we head into the festive season, I am constantly reminded of the extraordinary generosity shown by the community to the women and children who we support. Little and large gestures make a very real difference to people who are traumatised having fled violence and find themselves in unchartered territory. A few examples of kindness spring to my mind: recently the City of Kingston confirmed that rather than staff giving gifts to each other in a ...

The past year has been significant for Emerge on many fronts from its internationally renowned multi-layered arts therapy program through to its expanding research program, and the establishment of a volunteers’ program. The achievements, showcased in the organisation’s 2018 Impact Review, highlight how Emerge continues to embrace new ideas and consolidate its existing programs to meet the increasing demand for its services. Over the past ...

Imagine having fled violence with only a bag on your pack, three hungry children by your side and no money to buy food? That is the immediate reality for many families coming into Emerge’s refuge and crisis housing. Thanks to the efforts of local churches and individuals, however, empty tummies are soon filled with warming, nutritious meals, and well-stocked pantry packs are handed out to each woman when she arrives and leaves. The pack is ...