Why I Call Women's Shelters, "Women’s Village"
Thank you for your interest in the Big Girls on the Move crowdfunding campaign. It has been my great privilege to work in women’s homeless and domestic violence shelters for over 30 years. I generally refer to these community settings as the Women’s Village.
Recently something happened at the shelter where I was hosting the Art of Change personal development program. I have witnessed it many times over the years and it can be summed up in two words.
Compassion and Generosity.
We were getting ready to start, coffee cups filled, table ready with the art supplies and Mandala templates when a staff member came in with two large boxes.
"These have been donated. Take what you would like."
Before our eyes a knitted rainbow appeared, scarves, gloves, knitted hats and teddy bears, lovingly stitched together by a group of women who care. The teddy’s are called trauma Teddy's and are given as a comfort bear for children at the shelter who are coping with losing their home and the trauma of domestic violence.The knitting volunteers care about their sisters and daughters and mothers in shelters and they care about their children.
I have seen this happen many times over the years.
Knitted blankets, baby clothes, donations of books, personal care products (thank you to the generosity of The Body Shop over many years) clothes and kitchen goods all make their way through the shelter doors..
The Vital role of Volunteers
There are the mobile creche volunteers who donate their time to women's shelters so there is child care available during the on-site programs and at Christmas time hampers, food vouchers and invitations to community Christmas parties are offered to residents and families in outreach.
Sometimes there will be tickets to a children’s show donated to a shelter, cinema passes and free gym membership because people who are in the community really want to make a difference and offering their resources is a way of saying:
My heart feels for you, I want to contribute to your recovery and quality of life if I can.
At a women's housing organisation the Christmas party event included a huge donation of electrical goods and household products from a company that put "action" to their corporate values of contribution and service to others.
When I am invited to speak at domestic violence forums that are often concerned with statistics and data and the current policies and funding issues,I emphasise that in amongst the infrastructure, policies and procedures that define the every day business of a women’s shelter, there is also a profound demonstration of generosity and love in action.
Domestic violence is everyone’s concern.
I have also met many men who play an important role in the on-going development of service delivery. They contribute to the site maintenance, building, fund raising, and supporting partners and family members who work in domestic violence shelters. Domestic violence is everyone’s concern.
I was involved in a Facebook conversation lately between a group of women who said they wanted to “do something” to assist women in shelters, they didn't have much money, they sign petitions and write letters but they would like to do something practical. I told them that one of the most inexpensive but much needed resources in women's shelters are nappies and personal care products especially sanitary products .
Their response was immediate and generous. The donations they made make a huge difference in shelter settings as does a packet of colouring pencils andMandalas for colouring for women who are under enormous pressure and experiencing not only stress but a sense of confinement behind the locked gates of a safe house.
A profound, tangible demonstration of compassion and action
You may not know this about the Women’s Village but core to the everyday relationships and contributions by the community for women who have experienced violence and trauma is a profound, tangible demonstration of compassion and action by many members of the community.
I wanted to share this today because the image of that beautiful knitted rainbow that spilt across the table and the smiles and joy of the recipients, women who are sorting through so much chaos in the early days of leaving a violent relationship, that the simple acts of generosity and kindness make a significant impact.