News from Waikato Women’s Refuge
TE WHAKARURUHAU – JULY 2020
Kia ora koutou,
It’s been a while since our last newsletter and it’s been an eventful time for Waikato Women’s Refuge working through lockdown and the different alert levels.
We are grateful to have made it out the other side while still continuing the vital work supporting whānau through these uncertain times.
We have had most of our staff working at home and a small team working from the office and out in the community.
We’ve been masked and gloved up, and physical contact has been zero but we hope we were still able to provide a sense of connection and support for those who needed our help.
We are also grateful for the huge support we received from organisations and individuals wanting to do their bit. Sometimes it is in the most trying times that we are able to find the best in ourselves.
Ngā mihi,
Roni Albert
Waikato Women’s Refuge Te Whakaruruhau CEO
Spark and Uber help domestic violence survivors start new lives
When the COVID-19 level four lockdown forced many women into close quarters with abusive partners, Uber and Spark worked with non-profit service providers to provide urgent communications and transport services to enable survivors to move to safety.
Having a mobile phone is a lifeline for women on their journey to living life free from domestic violence. Being able to easily communicate with the outside world or take a free ride to a safe haven are vital tools for women escaping domestic abuse.
“Spark and Uber support makes a huge difference for domestic violence victims who face so many barriers in their journey to a better life. A phone provides connection to vital support networks and their whānau and friends. It’s also a necessary tool for women to take back control of their lives,” Roni says.
OUR FOOD BANK CUPBOARDS ARE BARE. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR FOOD DONATIONS, no matter how big or small.
We know it’s tough times ahead still for many families who are suffering financially after Covid. We are committed to making lives a little easier for whānau we work alongside who are feeling the strain.
FOOD PARCEL WISH LIST
Potatoes, onions, carrots, apples, mandarins
Meat, sausages, luncheon sausage
Canned food – baked beans, spaghetti, sweet corn, tomatoes, soup, fruit, tuna
Sugar, flour, eggs. long-life milk, tea, coffee, milo
Noodles, pasta, rice, cooking oil, bread, breakfast cereal, crackers
Kids’ snacks like muesli bars, peanut butter, jam, marmite
Drop off at 59 Commerce St, Frankton.
Contact the office if you would like to contribute 07 855 1569.
MEET THE TEAM
Vanessa Edwards started working at refuge 12 years ago. She had a little time off pursuing other things but now she’s back doing the mahi she has a huge passion for. She started as a community worker, then moved to whānau ora and now she’s providing intensive care in her new role as an Independent Victim Specialist. She was one of the staff who continued working on the frontline during lockdown and all the alert levels.
What is your role at women’s refuge? Independent Victim Specialist. Which is a high needs, intensive wrap-around service to help move our women forward as they rebuild their lives.
What was it like working during the Covid lockdown? I loved it, the city was quiet. The people we supported during this time were more open to exploring prevention methods to help them through this tough time.
Why drives you to do what you do at WWR? I love the work and I’m passionate about helping women on their journey to improve and better themselves.
What is your favourite thing to do when you’re not working? Sleeping, relaxing, spending time with family and having as many life adventures as possible
A quote that sums you up? I am who I am, take it or leave it.
What is your nickname? Aunty
What would be your super power, and why?
Phoenix of X-men – she rises from the ashes to complete what she needs to in life. I see that in our girls and their journey.
What meal would you eat for your last supper? A massive kai hākari with hangi, all of the seafood, boil up and every kind of sweet food you could ever imagine.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? Or what is your favourite song? Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
What did you think was cool when you were young but isn’t cool now? Platforms. I don’t like them now but I used to wear them all the time.
What skill or craft would you like to master? Public speaking. I hate it, I’m sure people can see my heart beating.
What movie can you watch over and over again? Avengers and X-men. I could watch action movies over and over again
IN THE NEWS
The Government’s recent announcement of $200m funding package for family and sexual violence service providers and programmes will go a long way to help abused women.
Read the latest from STUFF
Refuge Graduates
Congratulations to Taina Nathan-Te Ao and Rae Curtis for completing Kaitiakitanga: Postgraduate Diploma in Bicultural Professional Supervision, 2019 at Te Wānanga o Aotearoa. Like many graduates, their graduation ceremony was cancelled due to Covid but we made sure to celebrate their success in a refuge-style ceremony. We are very proud of their achievements. Ka pai to mahi.
Stand By Me
New Zealand’s first Māori women’s refuge started in a one-bedroom flat in Hamilton in 1987, with Roni Albert and Ariana Simpson at the helm.
Their journey from modest beginnings to becoming a truly influential organisation is described in Stand By Me, The Story of Te Whakaruruhau Waikato Women’s Refuge.
Written by Venetia Sherson and Denise Irvine; images by Peter Drury. Published by Te Whakaruruhau. $29.95
Purchase this stunning book here or contact Te Whakaruruhau – [email protected]