Dear Friends of St Kilda Gatehouse,
We have some good news! Super good news!
Thanks to the Australian Government’s Job Keeper scheme St Kilda Gatehouse has reopened the Young Women’s Project (YWP) in Dandenong. As of this week the YWP will be operating on Wednesday and Thursdays providing critical support for young women and girls experiencing sexual exploitation and all the associated hardships.
Our Drop In Centre in St Kilda will extend its operating hours an extra afternoon meaning we are now open Tuesday and Wednesdays from 2-5pm and Thursdays from 2-6pm (including a takeaway dinner). Since Coronavirus the Drop In has experienced a rise in demand for food, blankets, toiletries, needle and syringes, warm clothing, methadone, food parcels for homeless women temporarily housed in hotels and human connection – even from a distance. We are exploring ways we can engage our support to those even more isolated and suffering during this crisis.
Our beloved Greeves St. Op Shop is yet to open its doors but it has remained a supportive community hub. You can pick up a treasure from our online shop and our social enterprise continues to meet virtually, creating beautiful items which will be available for sale once the Op Shop reopens.
During these past weeks the Government has moved to provide emergency relief for the most vulnerable in our society and those experiencing family violence and hardship. St Kilda Gatehouse is privileged to be on the frontline of providing an essential service. So often the women and girls we work with to support are overlooked, forgotten and stigmatised.
In these difficult and challenging times the values of hope, compassion and love which are common to us all are ever more important.
That’s why we want to say a big THANK YOU to all who have responded to our calls for help and have donated particularly this past month.
Thank you to our generous donors and supporters who share our vision in making St Kilda Gatehouse a place of respect, belonging, healing and hope.
Our May 22nd, ‘Friends of St Kilda Gatehouse’ event has been postponed. However, I’m looking forward to an even bigger celebration ‘on the other side’ once restrictions are lifted and we can gather together in real life!
Please continue to follow us on Facebook – tag and share our stories, keep in touch, donate and know that your kindness changes lives.
With thanks, take good care.
Stacey Aslangul
St Kilda Gatehouse CEO
5th May, 2020
