Gatsby Themed Gala a Huge Success

 

Photography by Felicity Jenkins

The Northern Beaches Women's Shelter, raised around $130,000 at its Annual Gala held to support homeless women across the region.

The sold-out Roaring 20s themed event was attended by more than 240 people, earlier this month, highlighting greater community awareness of the Shelter and its work on the Northern Beaches.

“Hundreds of women right across the Northern Beaches continue to find themselves homeless due to domestic violence, financial trouble, drug or alcohol abuse, or mental health issues,” said Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter Acting President, Rosy Sullivan.

“The Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter provides a safe haven for these women. We offer more than just a roof over their heads and a warm bed to sleep in. We are helping to break the cycle of homelessness, by linking women with the right services, offering employment and financial assistance and much needed emotional support to help them rebuild their lives and rejoin the community.”

Formerly the Manly Women’s Shelter, the Shelter was recently renamed to reflect its growing reach across the peninsula. Ms Sullivan thanked the community and the Shelter’s sponsors for their generous support.

“We are a non-profit, charitable organisation and the majority of the Shelter's operating costs depend upon the support of our generous sponsors, private foundations and the committed goodwill of our local community,” Ms Sullivan said.

“Special thanks goes to the private foundations, businesses and organisations, who have so generously supported us by sponsoring the Annual Gala or contributing to our ongoing operating costs.

“This includes the Fussell Family Foundation, the Hunt Family Foundation, the Mary Alice Foundation, Avoka Technologies, Manly Jewellers, Perpetual Trustees, the Australian College of Professionals, Oz Harvest, MM&J Architects, WoManly, The Sisterhood, the Rotary Club of Manly and the Northern Beaches Council.”

Formerly the Manly Women’s Shelter, the non-profit, charitable organisation was recently renamed to reflect its growing reach across the peninsula. Since the Shelter first opened its doors in 2010, it has supported more than 350 women to rebuild their lives.

In 2017, the Shelter provided a total number of 3,231 bed nights and supported 75 women. “These women need us to continue our important work,” Ms Sullivan said.

“Without it they face limited options and often make the agonising decision to return to dangerous or unhealthy living situations where the cycle of abuse often continues. This is what keeps us going. We need to be there when they need us, because sometimes we’re all they have.”

Trained and experienced welfare workers continue to provide a safe space to stay and on-site support 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

For more information on how you can support the work of the Northern Beaches Women’s Shelter visit facebook.com/NBWomensShelter