Every year countless women flee their home to break free from domestic violence. In many circumstances this also means these women are now homeless and have no money for the basic necessities that you and I take for granted. Share the Dignity and their many volunteers believe that no woman should suffer the indignity of choosing between eating, feeding her children or buying sanitary products; Access to sanitary items is a right, NOT a privilege.
In 2015 Rochelle Courtenay had a vision, and in just over two years this vision has grown into a movement that is truly inspiring. Share the Dignity works with over 1100 volunteers and 2000 charities across Australia, bringing dignity to many women.
The vision has expanded and there are many wonderful ways Share the Dignity helps victims of domestic violence:
– In April and August there is are annual #dignitydrives for sanitary items. There are collection points all around Australia where people can donate pads, tampons or menstrual cups. These items are then distributed to front line agencies and organisations who directly assist women in need.
– Share the DigniTEA – This is a high tea charity event that is taking place on Sunday 28th May all over Australia. For the Brisbane locals, our venues are in Fortitude Valley, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. The funds raised go towards ensuring no woman is without dignity at a time she needs it most through their range of initiatives such as the Dignity Vending Machines.
– Dignity Vending Machines – These #pinkbox Dignity Vending Machines dispense a free ‘Period Pack’ every ten minutes. The cost of one of these machines is $9,000, with each Dignity Period Pack costing $2.50 to stock the machine. The goal is to have 50 up and running by the end of 2017.
– It’s In The Bag – This is a Christmas campaign aimed at ensuring women also feel cared for and a little bit special at a time when generally the focus is on others. The campaign involves donating a handbag, filling it with items that would make a woman feel special, perhaps even popping in a thoughtful note to show that someone cares and that everyone matters. In 2015, 26,000 bags were donated and in 2016 this number rose to an amazing total of 106,000.
– Handbag with Hearts – These are a range of handbags that have been created for the public to purchase for their own use, as a gift or to donate, with all proceeds being used to help fund Share the Dignities initiatives. Each limited-edition bag is named after one of the remarkable women that the It’s In The Bag Christmas campaign has helped.
– Yoga for Dignity – Saturday 2nd September 2017. Australia’s biggest YOGA celebration of women supporting women. In Australia we have 48,000 homeless woman and it is the goal this year to have the same number practicing YOGA on this morning.
– Because We Care – Every week in Australia there is one person killed as the result of family violence. Share The Dignity is aiming to raise $500,000 each year to pay for funeral costs for these victims. It is an extremely difficult time for the families and Share the Dignity hopes to lighten the burden for the children and families left behind.
– Activities 4 All – Children that are exposed to domestic violence are affected by this trauma in many ways. They deserve to have the opportunity to realise their potential and in the very least to have some fun. Organised activities such as sports, music and camps can all help these children to develop new ways of relating to others. #activities4all will provide extracurricular activities in the form of scholarships to allow these children to participate in something healthy and positive.
Altitude Financial Group will be donating money normally spent on our monthly staff morning tea throughout the year to Share the Dignity as well as supporting some of the other campaigns. If you would like further information as to how you can donate to this cause please contact our staff member Sue Anderson (a registered volunteer of Share the Dignity), or alternatively you can visit their website http://www.sharethedignity.com.au/ for more information.
Stay tuned for further details as to how Altitude will be involved this year and how you can help us to help others.
Written by Sue Anderson
