Protea Place seeking saviour in state government funding

A vulnerable women’s service is heading towards financial crisis, calling on the Darling Downs community for support and for the state government to provide vital funding. DETAILS.

A not-for-profit dedicated to helping vulnerable women stay off the street is rallying community support in their fight for state government funding.

Protea Place chief executive Amanda Dalton is calling on the Darling Downs to help secure ongoing funding as demand for the women’s support service recorded a 187 per cent increase from the previous year.

The not-for-profit has operated in the Toowoomba region since September 2019, relying solely on fundraising and donations from the community and local sponsors.

Protea Place chief executive Amanda Dalton is calling on the Toowoomba community for support as the women’s support services fights for government funding.

In the Southern Downs the recent announcement that Protea Place Warwick’s pilot program would close its doors at the end of the 12-month period sent shockwaves through the community.

It was revealed via social media the pilot program had simply fulfilled its purpose in assessing the viability of operating in the absence of government funding.

Ms Dalton saidsince the announcement she had been advised a local group in the Southern Downs are working on a potential plan to take over the model and services from Protea Place.

Protea Place in Warwick could see a revive as dedicated community members rally to keep its doors open.

Ms Dalton said the increased number of women accessing the service, along with the cost of living impacts on fundraising efforts, had the service looking to the state government for funding.

“We’ve never received any government funding in the five years we’ve operated,” Ms Dalton said.

“We’ve been lobbying really hard with a number of departments for funding and are hopeful, but we just need to keep the pressure on.

“Our campaign is all about getting the community to step up beside us and really make some noise.”

In spreading awareness of the ‘Stand with Protea Place’ campaign, the women’s support service is set to host a community rally outside the Russell St address on July 25.

The rally is aiming to attract a crowd of 4000, asking the community to band together and show the state government the services overwhelming local support.

A significant number for the not-for-profit which is a reflection of the number of women assisted since opening its doors.

Ms Dalton said the call for funding was to provide a recurrent, stable income to continue services.

“We don’t want to sit on our hands until it reaches a time where we can’t function,” she said.

It is estimated the not-for-profit has an operation cost of around $500,000 with a large portion devoted to rent, staff wages and insurance, Ms Dalton said.

The daytime drop in centre at 131 Russell St offers vulnerable women with a hot meal, clothing, showers and integrated case management.

Protea Place – Amanda Dalton.

Ms Dalton said the ‘frugal’ service model was one that couldn’t be run on volunteers alone, with the funding crucial for paid staff to continue service delivery.

“There’s a lot of complexity in the cases coming through the door now with the cost of living exacerbating expenses and we’re now seeing a lot of women we’ve never seen before because they can’t find affordable or safe housing,” Ms Dalton said.

While the service can assist with some housing associated costs as part of their ‘welcome home project’, the service has a limited housing expenditure which is leant on sparingly.

“Because we don’t have our own accommodation we have to rely on what’s available in terms of social and community housing,” she said.

“Most women just can’t afford the private rental market, even those with glowing history are still often overlooked.”

Ms Dalton said the response from the state government has so far been positive and is hopeful of a positive notification in the coming weeks.

“The state government has acknowledged there’s a gap in these services and they are very positive about the Protea Place model and are working on an outcome for us,” she said.

With no other similar services operating in the region, it’s closure would leave thousands of women without immediate specialised support, putting further strain on community housing services and hospitals.

“We’re asking the community to really stand with us to help keep our services running,” Ms Dalton said.