Kit donations vital to centre’s support

The Albany Women’s Centre Kare Kits donation drive was launched at the start of the month and will conclude on April 7.

The Albany Women’s Centre is a local women’s refuge and support service which has been run by Anglicare WA since 1996.

Anglicare Women’s Centre manager Jo Fictoor said the centre’s work was directed by a commitment to social justice and a well-developed understanding of issues faced by women and children affected by family and domestic violence.

“At the centre we provide crisis accommodation and support services for women and children managing and surviving family violence,” she said.

“Services include 24-hour on-call support for safe, secure crisis accommodation, case management support, outreach services, support groups, advocacy and community education.”

Being not-for-profit, the organisation relies on donated items to supply some of the day-to-day needs of clients.

Items are gratefully received in the donation drive each year, including highly valued items such as store vouchers, children’s clothing, underwear and sleepwear in various sizes for boys and girls, and toiletries.

This year, schools including Great Southern Grammar, Woodbury Boston, Spencer Park Special Education Centre, Albany Secondary Education Support Centre and Flinders Park Primary School have been involved, as well as various local chemists.

Ms Fictoor said organisers were extremely grateful for the community’s support.

“We welcome the support from Soroptimist and the community and these donated items are essential and so vital to these women who are doing it tough,” she said.

“Everything helps and these items go straight back to help-ing the women of our community.”

Collection boxes are located at the Anglicare Office at 44 Collie Street, Albany Public Library, Leading Edge Computers, Bendigo Bank Mt Barker and NAB Denmark.