Our Programs
The Sanctuary Program
Transforming
Houses into Homes
Our Sanctuary Program transforms houses into homes for people who have escaped domestic violence to start their new journey with dignity, free from abuse.
Our dedicated volunteers work hard to create a Friends with Dignity Sanctuary using items donated by our supporters—household and personal care items, gift cards and financial donations.
We work on a referral basis only through registered referring agencies who contact us with a request.
The referring agency tells us a little bit about the family–how many people will be living in the home, how old they are, if there are any special requests which then helps Friends with Dignity personalise their sanctuary.
Making the
magic happen
This is where YOU our amazing supporters come in.
Through the list of donations
We go through the list of donations we’ve received, and put a call out through social media for additional items we need for the sanctuary
Collecting donated goods
Our volunteers start collecting donated beds, bed linen, towels, crockery, glasses, basic kitchen appliances, white goods, couches, TV, pantry items, toiletries etc
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We also source any of the special requests from the family to create princess bedrooms, books about space or dinosaurs, a quiet study space for senior year, or nursery items for a two-month-old baby
Transforming houses
With the donated items we are able to transform an empty shell into a welcoming home and sanctuary for families to rebuild their lives with hope and dignity
We never know their names
We never meet our clients nor do we ever know their names. We work through our network of referring agencies to ensure our clients’ privacy is always protected
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We are here with no judgement but to ensure they have a friend they may never meet and are treated with dignity.
Many of the families write to us through the referring agency with feedback and those letters make it all worthwhile. Our little friends often send a drawing, and those not only bring a tear to the eye, but they remind us of the profound difference we have all made to that family. It’s about making a difference to “One Friend at a time”.
Our participants stories
Donations
Every donated item and dollar raised makes a profound difference to the families we support. There is no such thing as a too small or too big a donation, every bit helps
Click on room to discover more
KItchen/Dining
With $5: Roasting Pan, Dish Drainer
With $10: Storage Containers, Cutting Boards, Tablecloths
With $25: Full Utensil Set, Dinner Set, Baking Set
With $50: Microwave Oven
For $600 we can fit out a complete Kitchen and $260 will set up a Dining Room.
Bathroom
With $5: Toothbrush & Toothpaste, Handwash, Shampoo & Conditioner
With $10: Personal Care Products
With $30: Mat Sets
With $50: Sets of Towels
For $1115 we can fit out a complete family bathroom.
Baby
With $10: Potty, Toilet Ladder
With $20: Wipes, Mobile, Cot Linen
With $25: Nappy Bag, Play Mat
With $50: Baby Monitor, Bouncer
For $840 we can fully set up a Baby Room
Laundry/Utilities
With $5: Consumable Products
With $20: Iron, Ironing Board
With $50: Vacuum Cleaner
For $600 we can set up a Sanctuary with Laundry and Utility products
Lounge
With $25: Floor Lamp Vases, Scatter Cushions
With $50: DVD Player
With $100: Bookshelf, Coffee Table
With $200: TV, Wii, Xbox
With $400: Computer
It costs more than $2000 to fully set up a Lounge Room.
Bedroom
With $10: Pillows, Bedside Lamp
With $25: Clock Radio, Sheet Set
With $50: Doona inset & Doona Cover
With $100: Wardrobe
For $1115 we can fit out a complete adult bedroom.
Children/Teens
With $20: Sheet Sets, Doona Sets
With $30: Doona, Clock Radio
With $100: Bed Frame
With $200: Mattress
A complete Child/Teen Bedroom setup costs $1000
Outdoor
With $10: Welcome Mat
With $200: Outdoor Setting
Outdoor products for a Sanctuary can be fully provided for only $250
Join Us
towards building a nation free from domestic violence.