RizeUp and Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation provide Lismore, Tweed crisis homes

Families across the Northern Rivers who could otherwise be left “sleeping rough” have been given a safe alternative, thanks to this much-needed project.

Volunteers Jane, Debbie and Jodie at a recent Home Set Up in Northern Rivers region. Picture: Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation

Northern Rivers families fleeing domestic violence will have new-found access to safe, immediate crisis accommodation thanks to a new push to enhance support.

Australian not-for-profit RizeUp’s Homes Program has provided 20 homes across Lismore, Goonellabah, Tweed, Casino and Ballina, complete with furniture and appliances to enhance crisis accommodation, and provide support from trained volunteers.

The furnishing was made possible through a funding grant from Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

RizeUp Founder and CEO Nicolle Edwards, said the RizeUp Homes Program is a vital social service that supports women and families to safely leave violent households and never look back.

She noted a 14.4 per cent increase in NSW sexual assault and domestic violence related assault over the last two years had spurred the community-focused organisation to expand its existing operations beyond Queensland and Victoria and further into NSW particularly the Northern Rivers region.

“RizeUp’s Homes Program helps survivors move onto the next stage of their post-violence lives by supporting their move to secure and suitable housing in a safe and nurturing environment,” Ms Edwards said.

“Thanks to the support of the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation’s $69,000 grant, we can offer survivors in the region with access to 20 fully furnished safe houses that don’t just put a roof over their head, but help foster a sense of safety and comfort at such a challenging time.

“We take crisis accommodation and fit it out with everything these women and their families need to not only function, but be comfortable.

“This means more victim survivors and their families can avoid the alternative options, which are often ‘sleeping rough’ or being forced to return to abusers through economic necessity.”

A volunteer setting up a home in the Northern Rivers region. Picture: Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation

Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation Chair Jennifer Leslie, said RizeUp was creating a physical space for survivors, along with digital resources, that raised awareness about the realities of this issue.

“Domestic and family violence occurs in communities across the country,” she said.

“It is a devastating reality for far too many, regardless of age, socio-economic or demographic grouping.”

“Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation is determined to help rewrite the future of disadvantaged Australians, and are incredibly proud that our grant, which has funded furnishings for 20 safe houses and training of RizeUp volunteers.”

Over the last two years, Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has provided two funding grants to RizeUp, helping to deliver the RizeUp Northern Rivers Hub in 2020, and more recently, their Hidden Crisis campaign, an online education awareness program for people affected by domestic violence.

The Hidden Crisis video campaign aims to engage the community in developing an understanding of ways to support vulnerable families fleeing DV.

Volunteer setting up a home in Northern Rivers region. Picture: Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation.

“This video campaign is a powerful, visual reminder that domestic and family violence occurs within all communities and that we must work together to raise much-needed awareness of the impact domestic and family violence has on so many lives,” Ms Edwards said.

“It is our hope that the Hidden Crisis campaign prompts important conversations and brings them to light instead of keeping them behind closed doors.”

To support the rising demand for the RizeUp Northern Rivers Hub, RizeUp is also calling for volunteers, whether they be driving vans to move furniture, styling furniture or helping create a safe home environment.

For more information, head here.