Women

Sometimes women have hopes, dreams and aspirations for their future which can be frustrated or lost sight of through low self esteem, addiction, self-harm, abuse, family conflict and feelings of depression, grief, anxiety or isolation. Good Shepherd assists women to reconnect with their inner strength, resilience and self esteem which then empowers them to believe in and work towards future goals that are meaningful and able to be achievable.

St Kilda

Counselling
Individual counselling is provided from a strength-based framework, to build resilience and empower women to discover pathways to healing and recovery from issues such as abuse, separation, family conflict, isolation, mental health, depression, addiction, sex work, loss, pain, imprisonment, or lack of self-esteem. Individual programs are developed and designed in discussion with the young women themselves.

Counselling programs are funded by the James Goold Trust .

project ME
‘project ME' is a flexible and responsive support program which assists young women who have worked through a range of personal issues to discover their place of value in the community.

‘project ME' which is also a brokerage fund can provide and create opportunities for young women to participate in education, training and personal and social development. Many young women have discovered a way forward for themselves by achieving personal goals through this project.

Holistic Health & Wellbeing Group
Reiki and other holistic alternatives continue to be provided to young women as a means of managing stress, and as a natural process for dealing with physical, emotional and spiritual issues.

Wednesday Evenings provides an opportunity for all those in our community to participate in a St. Kilda Centre activity. For the past 16 years we have held a Reiki night, which is open to participants of our women's programs, volunteers and locals. It has become a Community night where positive relationships and long-term networks have blossomed.

New partnerships with community volunteers continue to provide opportunities for the women to experience activities such as yoga, reflexology and art therapy.

The Holistic Health & Wellbeing Program is funded by the James Goold Trust.

Outreach Support
We provide a range of Outreach Support services including reiki and support sessions to women in Deer Park Women's Prison on a weekly basis. In collaboration with other health agencies, low cost and emergency housing venues are visited regularly to provide wellness sessions to those who are homeless and critically stressed.

BaySis - Mentoring for Women
BaySis is a socially based mentoring program for isolated and disempowered young women between 18-35 years of age living in the City of Port Phillip. The program recruits and trains mature and caring females from the local community to provide support, guidance and positive role modelling to young women.

BaySis aims to:  

• Assist the mentors and mentees to establish a positive, trusting and fulfilling relationship.
• Assist young women to identify alternative life choices that help them to move forward from negative patterns, such as, self-harm, offending behaviour, substance abuse and street prostitution.
• Develop inner strength and confidence in young women, enabling them to reach achievable goals and become active participants in their community.
• Encourage the development of young womens' confidence, knowledge and skills in order that they may acquire the competence to successfully advocate for themselves.
• Mentors are required to commit to the program for a minimum of twelve months and maintain fortnightly contact with their mentee.
• Mentors receive ongoing support and training from the program coordinator and also benefit greatly from peer support during mentor gatherings.

Mornington Peninsula Domestic Violence Service
Domestic violence is a serious crime and is a major cause of depression and ill health in women and children. Most of the children the program works with have witnessed violence in their homes. This has a serious and lasting impact on children.
Mornington Peninsula Domestic Violence Service supports women and children experiencing domestic violence who live and/or work on the Mornington Peninsula. It seeks to work in close collaboration with all agencies on the Peninsula.

Mornington Peninsula Domestic Violence Service is staffed by experienced workers who can offer support over the phone or face to face in a safe and confidential environment. The team provides information, works with women and children to assess their current situation and risk, assist them make a safety plans and helps women access the services they need from other agencies.

During the 2004-5 year the program worked directly with 206 women and children and provided telephone outreach to many more.

Some of these families were housed in our refuge or in local transitional properties.

St Albans
Vietnamese Women's Support and Group Work 
This is a group for isolated Vietnamese women with children who live in the City of Brimbank.  The program provides information, advocacy, referral to specialist services, as well as practical and emotional support. Through group work the women are supported and participate in parenting and health and wellbeing activities for the mother and the child.

The family worker also provides in-home support to families on issues such as:

• Domestic violence
• Depression due to family breakdown
• Anxiety due to children with disabilities
• Grief and loss issues
• Homesickness
• Mental health issues
• Conflict between parents and children

More than 90 women were involved in this program in 2004/2005

Step Out/Building Blocks
This group supports isolated, disadvantaged parents particularly young parents with children under five years old.  Through group work and individual support, participants develop the confidence, skills, knowledge and opportunities to become more involved in and connected to their local communities.  Enrolment and attendance at preschool and other early childhood services is facilitated.  Participation in social networks and local neighbourhoods is supported and facilitated.

The program identifies and builds on individual, family and community strengths to develop and promote resilience and social cohesion.

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