Emerge Stories

Jill Allan loves books, so much so that three years ago she set up Storycycle, a not-for-profit that aims to extend the life of good quality pre-loved children’s books by giving them to children who might not otherwise have as much access to books. “The idea in many ways was a no-brainer for me,” Jill said. “As a former children’s librarian working in inner city public libraries for many years, I have been passionate about introducing ...

Imagine trying to make a doctor’s appointment, fill in bank forms, or go shopping without being able to speak or read English? That’s the situation facing many women being supported by Emerge but for two, they have the assistance of volunteer Amy Sandler Roberts who is helping them to find their way around their new community.  Often women are learning to be independent for the first time since fleeing their homes to escape violence. Amy ...

Young women across south east Melbourne are about to increase their knowledge about how to avoid controlling and abusive relationships thanks to a centennial anniversary grant from Zonta International. The program, Young Empowered Women, is focused on young women aged between 14 and 18 years’ old attending schools in Bayside Peninsula and Glen Waverly. Emerge’s counsellors and therapists will deliver the training. “This is an important ...

Planning is underway to create a sensory garden at the new 24/7 refuge which is due to open in late 2019. The sensory garden is likely to become the outside hub for mothers and youngsters staying at the refuge, according to Executive Officer Paula Westhead. “Inside, we expected everyone to flock to the communal kitchen to seek comfort from endless cups of tea, delicious home-cooked meals, and a safe place to talk or be quiet,” she said. The ...

The last year has seen Emerge supporting a total of 309 women and children including 83 being housed in crisis accommodation and transitional homes, with many experiencing homelessness before coming to Emerge. Five women and children were sleeping rough as they believed this to be a safer option to returning home. Jessica Woller, Manager, Integrated Family Services, said: “A statistic that Emerge is proud of is that, due to the breadth of the ...

Emerge is thrilled to announce that its Safe Nest Group research project has been launched with the funding support from ANROWS, and through it the Luke Batty Foundation. Emerge has partnered with Swinburne University of Technology and Murdoch Children’s Research Institute for a two- year pilot program to study the effectiveness of a community based early intervention program for women and their children (0-3 years) exposed to family ...

This week is homelessness week in Australia. It is a week which is of enormous importance to us here at Emerge, as we see daily the reality of women and children escaping violence at home and as a result becoming homeless. The last year has seen Emerge supporting a total of 309 women and children, including 83 being housed in crisis accommodation and transitional homes, with many experiencing homelessness before coming to Emerge. It is all too ...

As we approach Mother’s Day, it is easy to get caught up in the fun and festivities that many families enjoy.  Here at Emerge, we are acutely aware that the mums and children we are supporting want to celebrate but are too emotional, tense and often without the means to buy gifts or a special lunch. Fortunately Emerge is supported by extraordinary people who give regularly and in different ways throughout the year. One such group is ...

Emerge supporters were invited to spread their wings as part of the tenth anniversary celebration of the organisation’s arts therapy programs. The butterfly art work was created by the Women’s Arts therapy group over the past few months, and took pride of place at our recent emerging heARTs event on 1 May.  The wings will be permanently displayed at the new Emerge refuge once it’s opened later this year. According to Bianca, Emerge Arts ...

Mother’s Day is a time for children to thank and take time out with their mums wherever they are, and the youngsters supported by Emerge are no different. This year, thanks to the generosity of Impact volunteers, 60 Bags of Love have been delivered to Emerge to give to the children to hand to their mums on Mother’s Day. The bags are filled with cook books, chocolates, aromatherapy oils, beauty bags and coffee mugs, everything that mums ...