The Minns Labor Government is supporting women to build better futures with an investment of more than $450,000 for initiatives that improve outcomes for women and children affected by the criminal justice system.
The grants enable three organisations to run programs that equip women with skills such as financial literacy and independent living skills, so that post-release they can safely reintegrate into the community.
This National Volunteer Week, Minister for Women Jodie Harrison visited ReLove, which in partnership with one of the recipients, SuccessWorks, has been empowering women through volunteering to boost their confidence and rebuild their lives.
Data from the Keeping Women Out Of Prison (KWOOP) Coalition shows that over 900 women are imprisoned in NSW on any given day, with 70 per cent having previously been incarcerated. Some 68 per cent are victim-survivors of domestic violence, and 33 per cent have a child in out of home care. The statistic is higher for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, with 84 per cent being victim-survivors of domestic violence and 46 per cent with a child in out of home care.
Focusing the 2025/26 round of the Investing in Women grant on this group is an investment by the Minns Labor Government in stronger futures for women and their children - to break the cycle of incarceration and disadvantage.
This investment supports the Government's priorities under the NSW Women's Strategy 2023-2026 to improve women's economic opportunity and advancement, health and wellbeing, and participation and advancement.
The three programs funded are:
Success Works
Pathways to Success is a volunteer program providing women with targeted learning and leadership opportunities. The objective is to improve skills, boost confidence, forge employment partnerships, and empower women to achieve stability and self-sufficiency post-release.
Women and Girls Emergency Centre
Strong Foundations is a 6-week housing pathways and life skills program to help build financial literacy, advocacy, wellbeing and independent living skills, to support women reintegrate into community.
Shine for Kids
Bringing up Great Kids and Dinner Club with Julie Goodwin is a social and emotional wellbeing program encouraging mothers to nurture connections with their children and families to prepare them for post-release reintegration into community.
Programs will run across Dillwynia Correctional Centre, Jacaranda Cottages Emu Plains, Reiby Youth Justice Centre and Silverwater Correctional Centre.
For more information, see Investing in Women Grants here: 2025/26 Investing in Women | NSW Government
Minister for Corrections Anoulack Chanthivong said:
"Programs like these play a critical role in helping women exiting custody to rebuild their lives and support their rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.
"The Minns Labor Government is proud to support these agencies to create better outcomes for women and children through coordinated service delivery.
"These are crucial steps in building safer communities across New South Wales."
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
"Incarceration can have lifelong negative impacts on women, as well as their children.
"These programs will help change the trajectory of women who have been incarcerated, supporting them to break the cycle of disadvantage.
"They ensure women are supported to re-engage with employment and community when they are released, and give them the skills to rebuild their lives and avoid recidivism.
"The NSW Government is working hard to make sure all women are empowered and are able to reach their potential."
Keeping Women Out Of Prison co-Chair Professor Emerita Eileen Baldry AO said:
"We commend the NSW Government for this significant investment in programs that keep women and their children as well as the community safer. These programs support criminalised women who are most vulnerable to domestic and other violence, mental health issues, poverty and disadvantage.
"They are proven to break the cycle of incarceration by addressing some of the barriers: violence and abuse, lack of education, training, employment, independent living skills, family connection and housing.
"We look forward to continuing sustained and life changing investment by government, community and philanthropic organisations in these evidence-based initiatives that prevent reoffending, rebuild flourishing lives and families and contribute positively to our communities."
SuccessWorks CEO Yvette Evans-Streeter said:
"Success Works is delighted to receive this grant and remains committed to creating meaningful volunteering pathways for women with a criminal record through our valued partner organisations.
"Volunteering provides a renewed sense of purpose, builds job‑ready skills, and fosters vital community connections. The women we support are actively rebuilding their lives and making a positive impact on others in need. These opportunities are a critical pathway to employment and to achieving financial independence and supporting their families.
"Importantly, more than 70% of women who complete the Success Works program do not reoffend, contributing to safer communities for everyone."
