REIWA is launching a new community initiative in March to help women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
The Hope and Home Appeal will run from 2 March to 27 March, in line with International Women's Month, and will support The Salvation Army's Graceville Women's Refuge.
Participating REIWA agencies will collect donations of personal care and essential items to support women and children, who often leave a violent situation with nothing but the clothes they are wearing.
REIWA President Suzanne Brown said she was proud to launch REIWA's inaugural Hope and Home Appeal.
"Family and domestic violence is one of the leading causes of homelessness for women and children. Unfortunately, in the current housing climate, the fear of being homeless means many women feel they are unable to leave dangerous situations," she said.
"Services like Graceville, which provide crisis accommodation as well as transitional housing, are essential to help women at this critical point in their lives. The program helps women move from refuge into more stable, medium-term accommodation where they can begin to rebuild, heal, and plan for their futures free from violence.
"However, operational funding for refuge services is primarily directed toward core service delivery and essential program costs required to keep the refuge safe and operational 24/7. It can't adequately cover the personal and dignity-based items that make a significant difference to women and children who have left their homes with very few belongings.
"Our members see the impact of the housing crisis daily, and the Hope and Home Appeal is a practical way we can help. These donations will allow Graceville to meet victim survivors' immediate needs without diverting critical operational funding away from frontline service delivery."
The Salvation Army Program Manager Family & Domestic Violence Jessica Russ said the demand for their services remained high, and community generosity played a vital role in helping the team respond with compassion and care.
"Every day we meet women and children who have made the courageous decision to leave violence, often arriving with little more than the clothes they are wearing," she said.
"Items such as new bras, underwear, socks, toiletries, soap, makeup, and self-care packs are not luxuries; they are essential. Donations of these items provide more than practical support. They restore dignity, provide comfort, and remind victim survivors that their community stands beside them."
View a list of participating agencies here.
View a list of donation suggestions.
