Similar questions:

• Briefly tell us about your project/initiative.

• Outline your project/initiative in X words or less.

• At a high level, what is your project/initiative about?

Example 1

'My New Life'

'My New Life' is an employment and life skills program aimed at women who have been impacted by family violence and/or homelessness.

My New Life provides a unique, strengths based learning pathway to prevent homelessness. It delivers practical and relevant living skills (with opportunities for co-design), independent living skills for sustained health and safety, and an environment for learning, social connection and support networks. It is a central component of Women4Women’s housing support strategy and is person-centred, allowing for and focussing on the individual needs and aspirations of each woman.

The program's ultimate aim is economic independence through employment and/or education and an increased capability to sustain stable housing.

Example 2

'Kitchen upgrade for Graceville Soccer Club'

We are seeking funds to install a new kitchen in our clubrooms.

The Graceville Soccer Club is an old club and a great club. Established in 1932, the club plays host to more than 200 competitors every weekend, with former EFL stars in our seniors ranks. We are a community club and we are growing as our community grows.

Situated in Liverpool, Graceville has always been a destination for tourists and is now sought after by those looking for a scenic change. Our club wants to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for the new families in town, a community destination for all ages, and genders and a catalyst for increased participation in sport.

A significant obstacle to our mission is our kitchen. Built in the 1950s, our kitchen is cramped, hot, potentially unsafe, and in dire need of an upgrade. In addition to feeding the hungry hordes and increasing safety for our volunteers, an upgraded kitchen will also allow us to improve our facility hire revenue stream. A new kitchen will help us attract new players, volunteers and supporters.

Example 1

'My New Life'

Support, socialisation and education are crucial to obtaining long-term employment and economic security. Research has shown that employment provides a pathway for women to have economic security and the ability to counter the effects of family violence. Employment also has a major positive affect on a woman's mental and physical health. A 2012 paper, 'Violence Against Women - A Workplace and Employment Issue', found that employment can play an important role in the recovery of women who have suffered family violence, and may also contribute to a sense of stability and purpose at a time of instability.

Any strategies developed to protect the financial security of women who have experienced family violence must enable women to acquire decent and secure employment. However, gaining, re-gaining and maintaining paid employment can be difficult for women living in a violent relationship and post family violence.

A 2012 study, Moving ahead: evaluation of a work-skills training program for homeless adults, suggested that improvements in work and related life skills were associated with improvement in self-esteem and self-efficacy, and that these improvements predicted stable housing situations at follow-up. The findings indicated that for individuals struggling with the challenges of homelessness, completion of a work-skills program has a positive impact on skills and employment, and on a diverse set of life domains.

Other studies, e.g. Economic Empowerment of Domestic Violence Survivors (2010)) suggest that financial literacy and economic empowerment programs are effective in assisting family violence survivors to improve their financial knowledge, increase their confidence about managing their financial affairs, and enhance financial behaviours that will improve their financial safety and security.

This project seeks to provide the pathway required to shift women who have experienced family violence into secure employment. In particular, we will work to address the low numeracy and literacy skills that can exclude women from participating in mainstream training programs.

Example 2

'Kitchen upgrade for Graceville Soccer Club'

Safety is a Club priority and a kitchen renovation is therefore a priority. Built in the 1950s, our existing clubrooms kitchens are horribly cramped and the facilities are extremely basic. The age of the cooking facilities means they are constantly breaking down and repairers have indicated that both the stove, oven and dishwasher are nearing the end of their functionality. We would be happy to supply photos of the kitchen and statements from repairers, as required.

The cramped conditions mean our volunteers are constantly bumping into each other and we have had one volunteer sustain a minor burn from a hot oil spill. Despite rigorous policies and procedures regarding kitchen use, we are fearful that it is only a matter of time before we have a more serious incident.

In addition to the safety concerns, the condition and limited functionality of the kitchen is a deterrent for those looking to hire a venue. We estimate that we could increase our annual income by 10% if we had a better kitchen.

The project intends to extend the kitchen into an adjacent storage area. It will increase the working space, upgrade facilities to create a modern and streamlined work environment, improve volunteer safety, and prevent contamination of food which will be served safely within proper counter areas. Procuring larger user-friendly catering equipment will also increase outputs which is incredibly important as our Club grows.

Example 1

‘My New Life’

Anticipated outcome

Primary beneficiaries

Indirect beneficiaries

Timeframe

Indicator

Improve women's independent living skills

Women impacted by family violence and/or homelessness

Children of participants (50% of women accessing our services are mothers)

Intermediate

Feedback from both participants and facilitators

Example 2

'Kitchen upgrade for Graceville Soccer Club'

Anticipated outcome

Primary beneficiaries

Indirect beneficiaries

Timeframe

Indicator

Create safer kitchen facilities

Volunteers working in the kitchen

Players, supporters and members

Short term

Decrease in kitchen occupational health and safety incidents

Increase in membership of Graceville Soccer Club

Players, supporters and members

Graceville community

Long term

Increase in new players enrolled at every level, Increase in new members, Increase in numbers of volunteers

Example 1

‘My New Life’

Number

Who or What

Service/Product/Activity

Timeframe

Anticipated Outcome

100

women impacted by family violence and/or homelessness

participating in Skills4MyLife

per annum

Improve women's independent living skills

Example 2

'Kitchen upgrade for Graceville Soccer Club'

Number

Who or What

Service/Product/Activity

Timeframe

Anticipated Outcome

1

commercial kitchen

renovated to a safe and functional level

by 2018 season launch

Increase in membership of Graceville Soccer Club

Example 1

'My New Life'

My New Life is aimed exclusively at women impacted by family violence and/or homelessness. However Women 4 Women helps women and their children, regardless of gender. We allow male children up to the age of 18 to enter our refuges which is unique in this sector. Many family violence refuges will not allow male children over the age of 12 to enter a refuge and access support with their mothers. We find this unacceptable as it leads to an increased number of male children of women impacted by family violence remaining with the perpetrator or becoming homeless.

Example 2

'Kitchen upgrade for Graceville Soccer Club'

While the Graceville Soccer Club runs male, female, and mixed competitions, the majority of our volunteers in the kitchen are female. This is not ideal, given the bulk of volunteers are parents of players, and most players have both male and female parents.

If we receive this grant we will undertake a survey of all club parents to determine the barriers to the participation of men in kitchen duty, and to create a plan to implement any measures uncovered by the survey that might boost the participation of men (though ensuring that existing volunteers are not pushed out as a result).

Example 1

'My New Life'

Women who have participated in aspects of our social, recreation and employment programs have indicated a desire for a coordinated response to their needs. Through informal discussion with case managers, they have expressed a willingness to engage in a holistic life skills program. Please see attached letters from our local council and the peak family violence agency indicating their support for this program.

Example2

'Kitchen upgrade for Graceville Soccer Club'

The membership and broader community of Graceville are highly supportive of this initiative and we have pledges from local tradespeople to assist with the renovation at greatly reduced rates (letters of support available on request).

Example 1

'My New Life'

Women 4 Women’s mission is to provide accommodation, services and support for women who are homeless and women and their accompanying children who experience family violence. Equipping women with the skills and expertise to become financially independent is an important part of our core work. We have drawn on our wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area to develop the My New Life Program. We have the capacity, specialised knowledge and resources to work with women who have highly complex needs.

In 2016 Women 4 Women provided accommodation and support to 416 women and children, and implemented major reviews and evaluations of our homelessness and family violence services. Our CEO is the chair of the peak body representing all family violence organisations in the state.

We have a proven record of building and managing innovative and quality accommodation options on time and on budget with in-house support services. We provide programs sensitive to women’s specific needs, including education and employment, health, social and recreation programs. Our facility is staffed 24 hours a day, allowing for after hours and weekend community contact and support.

Women 4 Women has a strong history in developing and implementing innovative outcomes-based programs aimed at empowering women to live the lives they choose. We are a proven investment, an organisation that delivers on promises and often exceeds anticipated outcomes. We are confident our My New Life program will provide positive outcomes to hundreds of women.

Example 2

'Kitchen upgrade for Graceville Soccer Club'

Graceville Football Club is not a financially wealthy club, but we are a club rich in culture and community support. We are known regionally as a club that gets things done!

In 2011, through a combination of fundraising, community support, a local shire grant and a small grant from the Bruce Guns Foundation, we built an additional change room to meet the growing needs of our player base. Employing the same approach, we know we can complete this kitchen project safely, on time and on budget.

Our player, supporter and membership base includes business owners, tradespeople, and donors who will make this renovation happen. We need an initial financial grant to provide the foundation and we will do the rest.

If we receive a Play Hard Foundation grant it will help secure the project and give Graceville Soccer Club additional leverage to secure the remaining funding from our local shire, potential sponsors and other funders.