Kara House is a specialist family violence service providing safe and secure accommodation and outreach services to women and children escaping family violence. We encourage and empower women to take control of their lives and work towards making strategies to create a better future.
We supported 350 women and children this year
We worked with women of 26 linguistic and cultural backgrounds
75% of clients we work with have experienced childhood trauma
90% of the clients we supported in court have a successful outcome
All the children we have worked with have witnessed family violence
80% of our clients have an existing mental illness
Operating for 40 years, Kara House is a not-for profit organisation, primarily funded by the Department of Health and Human Services. Further fundraising and Grants help support additional educational programs, well-being activities and improvements to the refuge.
All women should have the right to live free of family violence, harassment, discrimination and abuse.
Kara House is committed to providing a physical and personal environment which optimises the privacy, value and strength of the individual.
Kara House supports the rights of women and children to live in safety and without fear, using professional practice informed by feminist, human rights and social justice principles.
We would like to thank the Department of Health and Human Services who provide our operational funding under the Funding and Service Agreement and to the staff in the Eastern Region who have assisted with their donation collections and ongoing support
We’d like to thank the organisations and services listed below who we partner with to provide services.
Kara House is an Incorporated Association governed by a Management Committee with an executive elected by its Members.
The Kara House Management Committee is comprised of knowledgeable women with extensive experience in business related disciplines such as Financial Services, Legal, IT, Human Resources, Fundraising and Marketing. Members also have welfare related knowledge, including general service provision and mental health.
Kara House Management Committee has responsibility under the Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 and the Kara House constitution to provide leadership, set the strategic direction of the organisation and monitor the finances and activities. The Management Committee has overall responsibility to ensure Kara House is accountable, complies with all relevant legal and regulatory requirements, and supports its vision, purpose and aims. Our Management Committee members are all volunteers that give of their time and expertise.
Kara House Management Committee
| Chair | Margaret Morrissey |
|---|---|
| Vice Chair | Catherine Lockstone |
| Treasurer | Jyoti Wardhen |
| Secretary | Melinda Harrison |
| Member |
Veronica Coleman Maureen Breen Susan Smith Chloe Brayne |
Learn more about Kara House through our Annual Reports
Interested in joining the Kara House management Committee?
Kara House is governed by a Management Committee of capable and professional women and welcomes applications from women who can add to our skill base. If you are interested in joining the Kara House Management Committee, please email your expression of interest to the Manager at admin@karahouse.org.au
Working to ensure Quality Improvement
Kara House is constantly looking at our policies and procedures, risk management processes, client service delivery and human resource for ways of improving.
Accreditation
Kara House successfully underwent external Accreditation in March 2018 meeting all requirements. Accreditors from Quality Innovation Performance (QIP) assessed Kara House against the Quality Improvement Council standards (QIC) and the Department of Health and Human Service standards (HSS). Kara House is now an Accredited organisation through to 2021. The Management and staff of Kara House are committed to continuous improvement and we are proud to have achieved Accreditation and to have received positive feedback.
