Nomination D23 Service and Advocacy Award Zonta Club of Noarlunga Southern Vales Project: Healing garden in Domestic Violence Service

Imagine if ………. You were beaten black and blue You escaped with three children to a shelter You were moved to a motel room You knew no one You had no clothes, toiletries, or toys for your children You lost your job You were feeling alone and defeated You were given a ‘hand up’ to empower you to regain your life This is our story………..

Background Working with Southern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service for the past 20years. Main projects in this time every year have been: providing Christmas baskets full of goodies for the women at the shelter to receive on Christmas morning. providing a range of presents for the children that are in the centre to choose gifts for their mothers to give on Christmas morning (we even help with the wrapping). helping at the Christmas party. supplying select toiletries to the service throughout the year for the women. Provided a fridge and freezer to Community Health Onkaparinga (CHO). We have partnered with this organisation to provide pre packed meals to the women in motel accommodation in the south. These projects have been funded by service monies that the club has raised.

Latest project has been a healing garden as requested by the women in the service.

What did we do? During 2015 – 2016 members renovated the garden of the main Southern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service shelter to become a ‘Healing Garden’. The garden needed extensive weeding, pruning, mulching, fertilising and replanting along with a new irrigation system.   The project was facilitated by an Adelaide White Ribbon Breakfast Committee grant of $750.00. The club also added to the funding of this project through service monies. Onkaparinga Council provided mulch for the garden after we requested assistance. The “Healing Garden” promotes a meditative area to support healing for the victims of domestic violence and their families and the staff at the Centre. This was an amazing project which has produced a peaceful place for victims and their families and staff of the centre to use. It also gave us an opportunity to work with the dedicated staff of the centre and while we were working several of the staff and clients came and helped with the work. The staff have reported that the garden is being used regularly by clients and staff.

Some images –location is confidential. Member Jo

Partnership The Zonta club of Noarlunga Southern Vales has partnered with: Onkaparinga Council Southern Adelaide Domestic Violence Service Community Health Onkaparinga Partnership is paramount for any community project

Service and Advocacy This project meets the definitions of service and advocacy We provide money and ‘hands on’ service. We are supporting women who have been victims of DV to be empowered, have a space to ‘chill’ and reflect and know that someone cares. We have demonstrated sustainability and on going commitment and support to the DV service.

Our next project at the service We have been asked to install a sand pit for children. Currently investigating the health and safety aspects of the play ground. It is our intention to undertake this project if it meets health and safety standards.