Money For Jam Update
On 23rd January 2018 Per Capita, in partnership with Women’s Housing Ltd and Fitted for Work, launched the Money For Jam App and mentoring program. Over 30 women participated in the first workshop. There was a buzz of excitement in the room all day.
“I haven’t been in a classroom for ages; great to be making new friends”
Money For Jam is a social innovation project specifically designed to address income poverty for older women. The program is designed to help women over the age of 50 supplement their income. Older women are increasingly at risk of homelessness and unemployment. Money For Jamprovides mentoring for women at risk of homelessness to turn their hobbies and passions into micro-enterprises.
At the first workshop participants were introduced to the Money For Jam App. The aim of the App is to make the Money For Jam program more accessible to participants. The App allows participants to pace their learning, provides links to engage in further learning opportunities and offers a portal where the participants can support each other through the year long program.
“The app was fun and so easy to use”
Mentors have volunteered to support, guide and motivate participants during the year. Some of the mentors were present for the first workshop.
“I am really excited about 2018 – anything is possible”
Per Capita developed the App in consultation with En Masse. The Brotherhood of St Laurence will evaluate the project.
For more information about the App or the Money For Jam project please contact Myfan Jordan by email: m.jordan@percapita.org.au
Christmas Is Coming!
With Christmas just around the corner Women’s Housing Ltd invited tenants with children to visit the office and choose some gifts for under the tree. There were toys, homewares, stationary, children’s clothes and shoes, dignity bags and personal hygiene products plus much more.
There is still more available so if you are a tenant in need of some Christmas cheer please phone the office on 9412 6868.
Women’s Housing Ltd would like thank Share the Dignity, Wild Pumpkin and Good 360 for their donations and continued support.
Community Food Guide
“Many people within the City of Melbourne face daily challenges in accessing enough nutritious food. Most of us are not eating enough fruit and vegetables to meet our nutritional needs and an increasing number of people are living in densely populated areas where there is less space to grow food” The Community Food Guide, City of Melbourne The Community Food Guide has been created by the City of Melbourne to provide helpful information about food access programs, services and resources within the City of Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. Categories include food banks, community meals, food education, community gardens and food rescue. To read the Guide please click the link below. City of Melbourne Community Food Guide
Berwick Art Classes
With the support from the City of Casey, Women’s Housing Ltd and Amanda Foster at Snoop Art developed an art program at the Berwick Rooming House. Through a series of six workshops tenant explored art as a way to find peace and feel safe, build self esteem and pride and at the same time possibly change their economic future.
Each participant was given the opportunity to learn skills related to the art medium that interested them. As a group, the participants completed a mosaic panel that is displayed in the grounds of the Berwick House. Each person that participated had personally engraved pieces embedded in the final Mosaics. Each participant was encouraged to create a personal piece that will signify a positive outcome and personal achievement.
Newport Development
The building is really taking shape now!
A significant milestone in construction …the roof being completed.
Art Classes
We are pleased to announce that art classes have started at our Mount Martha Rooming House. Women’s Housing Limited would like to thank Cheryl Widlend. It is because of her vision and unwavering commitment that this project began. Cheryl’s amazing talent and undying passion are contagious, and her patient, friendly teaching style are producing fantastic results. The atmosphere is relaxed and the participants have fun learning. Cheryl put it perfectly when she said, “I love being the glue that hold the pages together of a new book we are all writing.” Cheryl runs art classes each Monday from 11am – 3pm in the art room. Also joining Cheryl is Helene Levin, who is an active participant as well as a counsellor. Helene integrates therapy into the art sessions. She talks to the participants about how they can benefit from their sessions and how art can be an outlet for their self-expression and self-development. Helene shows them how to explore their inner world of images, feelings, and thoughts and talks about different ways to reduce stress that will help them in every-day life. Thank you Ladies!
Money For Jam
On Friday the 15th of September 2017 Per Capita launched the pilot Money For Jam, a social innovation project specifically designed to address income poverty for older women. The program is designed to help women over the age of 50 supplement their income.
Older women are increasingly at risk of homelessness and unemployment. Money For Jam provides mentoring for women at risk of homelessness to turn their hobbies and passions into micro-enterprises.
The Money For Jam model was co-designed in 2016 by 13 women over 50 who were experiencing homelessness and deprivation, in collaboration with Per Capita’s Centre for Applied Policy in Positive Ageing (CAPPA). This process led to an innovative solution for helping older women alleviate income poverty through micro-enterprise. CAPPA will now pilot the program in Melbourne over 18 months.
The pilot will be delivered with community partners Fitted for Work, Women’s Housing Ltd and Women’s Property Initiatives, and will support up to 80 women currently accessing homelessness and employment services.
In January 2018 CAPPA will be launching a smartphone App accompanied by mentoring. For more information about the App or the Money For Jam project please contact Myfan Jordan by email: m.jordan@percapita.org.au
Article from Women’s Agenda
Bayswater Project Reported In Knox Leader
An article announcing the Bayswater project has been published in the Knox Leader News 09. The article states that women and families fleeing domestic violence will be offered secure accommodation at apartments to be built in Knox. In the article Eastern Metropolitan state Labor MP Shaun Leane said the accommodation would help curb the number of women and families who ended up homeless. “This support will ensure that Victorians in need are assisted with safe, stable housing as they get back on their feet” To read more of the article please click the link below. Knox Leader News 09, Tuesday, August 29 2017