Benwerren

Our objective is to strengthen women and children in need, physically, emotionally, spiritually and practically, thus strengthening families and society. We provide short term, low cost accommodation, home cooked meals and family orientated programs in a peaceful homely environment on the Little Yarra River, for women with or without children, during periods of domestic stress and/or homelessness. We partner with welfare and Church agencies to support women in crisis. We provide a stable healthy environment for children to play in. To achieve our objectives women have time to rest, reenergise, evaluate, reflect and share in a supportive environment. They create quality friendships and connections with people and organisations and bond with their own children. With support and counselling they make informed decisions. In addition to time out during school terms, we provide programs during the School Holidays and child care during the term. Children develop positive memories and experiences, improve relationship strategies and gain confidence in a safe environment. We believe prevention is better than cure and families who have come in crisis are now able to bring their children for repeat visits at a low cost. Families often refer to their visit as like coming home to Grandma's house. We have a Girl's and Boy's weekend for children who've stayed with their parent. We have contact days in term 3 and we have an optional follow up program for past guests all year round, (currently 107 women). Our Company measures its performance by using evaluation sheets, repeat visits and follow up programs, a Survey and Management Report every three years, personal feedback and anecdotal evidence. Our families come from throughout Victoria. We temporarily accommodate one to two families at one time who are experiencing homelessness. These are from the Shire of Yarra Ranges only and are organised through local homeless agencies. We are largely a volunteer organisation and provide volunteers with training in Domestic Violence Awareness and Response Communication, First Aid, Basic Food Handling and Household procedures. Grief and Loss and opportunities for discussion around Trauma and Life issues, which our guest and volunteers are likely to face. Benwerren operates on a Christian ethos, is interdenominational in character and supports women regardless of differing spiritual beliefs. A Chapel is available for those who may want it. From an Evaluation sent out in 2023 we received 57 returns. To the questions asking how they had been helped as a result of their time at Benwerren, guests responded with the following out comes: physically24, emotionally42, spiritually32, new connections20. The peaceful surroundings, talks with staff, rest and prepared meals rated highly also. An Op Shop in Yarra Junction Benwerren Boutique is operated by volunteers for the purposes of raising funds.