From its original service provision of a shopfront referral service, it
has expanded to become a drop in centre, which is case management focussed and
working towards women’s empowerment and self-determination in their life
decisions.
The service provides meals, washing facilities, showers, day beds,
clothing and material assistance such as toiletries as well as case management
services.
It provides services for approximately 20 women per day and is open
Monday to Friday 9.30am-4.00pm.
The women who are supported are predominantly long-term homeless women,
who have little family and community support. Many of the women have had
transient lifestyles, impacted by issues such as domestic violence, history of
sexual assault, mental ill-health, drug and alcohol use, and come from a
variety of diverse backgrounds.
For many of these homeless women, the centre provides one of the only
accessible support services for women only during the day, where they can access
basic necessities with dignity and safety.
Coordinator Lara Sabbadin speaks of exciting changes that have been, and
will be happening, within the centre. “There have been many changes at WAGEC
over the years, however I believe this year has been one of the most
progressive in its history.
We have been working hard to build community partners to increase access
to a variety of services which has been previously unavailable here.”
“This year we have been granted additional funding from DOCS, to support
homeless Transgendered women overcome barriers of accessing services and we are
working strongly with the Gender Centre to provide appropriate and integrated
support for these clients. We have been successful with two grants through the
City of Sydney
to enable us to establish a Transgender women’s support group, which we will be
running in conjunction with the Gender
Centre, as well as an advisory group to increase community development
and identification of gaps for homeless Transgendered women.” Sabbadin says.
Clients of the service want to increase the public’s awareness of what
WAGEC brings to their lives also:
“I like the help you can get from the staff in every area.” Anita says
“I like the company of the girls – that’s why I like coming here. I feel safe
within the environment because it’s all female – I don’t feel threatened. I
like that you are not allowed to do drinking & drugs at the service – that
makes me feel secure. I do have a drinking problem, and yet by coming here – I
haven’t been drinking. Even my partner feels safe with it being an ‘all women’s
service’.
Taja has been coming to the service for nearly two years, “and it’s the
most stable and comfortable environment thus far; and I find that the staff are
more empathetic, more caring and more willing to learn. Women’s and Girls’ is
becoming a sanctuary for troubled women to find solace with sincerity and
honour”.
You can contact WAGEC to find out more about services on, if you are
interested in the tansgendered women’s support group, or if you are wanting to
support the service in any way on 9360 5388. WAGEC’s AGM will be held on the 28th
of November and the public are encouraged to actively get involved to support
our community.
[South Sydney Herald November 2006]