Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Grant helps create sanctuaries

Friends with Dignity will be able to continue to grow its domestic violence refuge and crisis support service in the NSW Hunter region thanks to a $32,000 grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

The grant will help Friends with Dignity to gain extra storage space to support its life-changing Sanctuary Program.

Friends with Dignity CEO Manuela Whitford said the region’s victims of domestic violence will benefit from more immediate support.

“Thank you to the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation,” Ms Whitford said.

“We totally rely on grants like this one, and community donations, to support refuges and survivors of domestic violence,” she said.

“With this money we will be able to provide a sanctuary for victims more quickly and provide them with items they need to transition from crisis accommodation to a new permanent home.”

“We create a home where people can re-build their lives with purpose, dignity and hope.”

The Sanctuary Program transforms houses into sanctuaries for people who have escaped domestic violence to start their new journey with dignity, free from abuse.

When registered referring agencies contact us, Friends With Dignity volunteers pick up the keys to the house and transform it into a welcoming sanctuary using items donated by our supporters. They may need to take in furniture, whitegoods, linen, or personal care items.

Research shows that one in three women and one in five men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime.

Friends with Dignity was one of 15 charities to share in $930,000 worth of funding grants. The grants presentation was held in Newcastle and emceed by NBN News presenter Natasha Beyersdorf.

To find out more about the sanctuary program, become a volunteer or donate funds or items, click here. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.