There are many ways to Kara House - financial donation, material aid or partner with us.
will purchase a pair of warm pyjamas for a child
will help us provide Toiletry Welcome Pack when our client’s first arrive
Since 1978 Kara House have found innovative and effective ways to help the clients in our care rebuild stable and secure futures. Your generosity provides vital support for women and children escaping family violence with safe accommodation, emotional support and basic necessities when they need it most.
| $10 | will purchase a pair of warm pyjamas for a child |
|---|---|
| $20 | will help us provide Toiletry Welcome Pack when our client’s first arrive |
| $50 | will purchase a School Pack including backpack, lunchbox and drink bottle for a child going to school |
| $120 | will provide a new Linen Bedding pack when our clients arrive |
| $180 | will fund a week’s worth of Art Therapy for our clients and their children |
| $320 | will purchase a Fresh Home Start Pack which includes items like cutlery, kettle, toaster when our clients move into more stable accommodation |
| $400 | will provide a pack of small electrical appliances for a client to set up their new home |
| $500 | will enable a Kara House support worker to receive specialised children’s’ training |
| $1000 | will allow us to provide professional counselling to our clients for a month |
| $10000 | will enable us to carry out vital refurbishment works at the refuge |
Our support services are funded by the Department of Health and Human Services, but we are continuously fundraising to provide the women and children with basic necessities and programs to improve their long-term outcomes.
100% of your monies donated are used for special programs, project and purchases. All administration costs are funded by the Department of Human Services and Kara House.
To donate via the phone please call 1800 900 520
Other ways to give
Fundraising
Organise or take part in a fundraising activity or challenge.
Gift in will
Leaving a bequest creates a lasting impact.
Partner with us
There are a number of ways your organisation can partner with Kara House.
For more information, please call us on 1800 900 520 or email admin@karahouse.org.au.
Every year Kara House supports approximately 350 women and their children escaping violence. Often they arrive at Kara House in financial crisis and with very little, having left their family home, friends and support.
When women and children first arrive they have an immediate need for basic everyday items we take for granted, like toiletries, clothing, toys, school items and linen.
Please click below to download the current Wish List of Priority Material Aid.
PLEASE NOTE – AT THE MOMENT WE ARE ONLY ACCEPTING NEW OR NEAR NEW ITEMS
To find our more or get clarification of items you would like to donate call 1800 900 520 or email admin@karahouse.org.au
Partnerships with business or organisations are a crucial area of support for Kara House. By Funding programs, hosting fundraising events, getting involved in workplace giving, donating goods in-kind, or supporting us in a myriad of other ways, partnerships enable us to help improve the lives of women and children escaping family violence.
If you would like to support our work, here are some ways your organisation or business can help:
These are just some of the forms of support that partnership can take. We’d love to talk to you about how your business or organisation can get involved and partner with Kara House.
For further information, contact:
Ruby Lampard - Development Officer on (03) 9899 5666 or email ruby.l@karahouse.org.au.
Thanks
We would also like to thank the numerous individuals, businesses and organisations that have kindly supported Kara House.
Names and details have been changed to protect client privacy.
Amal was referred to Kara House by the Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service in early 2011 after she fled the family home with her two teenage daughters. Amal met her husband, a resident of Australia, in Lebanon in 2009, whilst he was on holiday. A year later they married and she moved to Australia with her daughters. Within months of their married life, Amal was a victim of domestic violence perpetrated by her husband, and his former wife. Amal was sexually abused, financially abused and she was isolated. Several weeks later, unobserved by her husband, Amal and her daughters walked out of the house. A passer-by seeing the distressed family took them to a police station and three days later she was in Kara House. Amal could not speak English, did not have permanent residency, and didn’t know Australia or its laws and customs. She had no money, was responsible for two children, was homeless and could not return to Lebanon. Over the three weeks that Amal was in refuge, Kara House helped her to link into a GP, Centrelink, migration support, sexual assault counselling and legal aid. Kara House also provided Amal with food vouchers and material aid for 10 weeks before she was eligible for Centrelink income. She was taught basic living skills – how to catch public transport, where to shop, Australian money, the Court system. Amal and the children were transferred to a transitional property with the help of Kara House and her support continued. There were many court visits which impacted greatly on Amal’s health. She was linked into a psychologist. The children were enrolled into a language school and they commenced counselling. Amal and her daughters remained in transitional housing until 2014 when she was offered a property through the Department of Housing. Amal can now speak English, she has permanent residency and she receives a benefit from Centrelink. Her daughters speak English and have continued on with their education. They are settled and they feel safe.
Sarah, an aboriginal pregnant woman, came to our service in late 2013. Sarah had two other children that were in Department of Human services care. Sarah had a long history of distrust with the system and believed her unborn child would be taken by DHS. As soon as Sarah came into refuge, she was linked in with the local doctor and pregnancy services to assist her with her birth. Kara House advocated with DHS for Sarah to be given a chance with her child. Sarah was put in a transitional property while pregnant and moved to a two bedroom property appropriate for when she gave birth. With stable accommodation, Sarah was able to successfully set up for the birth of her child. Sarah felt positive for her future. Sarah gave birth earlier this year to a healthy baby boy closely observed by Kara House and other services we had referred her to. This including a close link to her culture through an Aboriginal Family Strengthening program. Odyssey House were also involved through the Kids in Focus program and worked intensively with Sarah to parent positively. Sarah is now attending young parenting groups and doing well. She also has access to her two other children – something that had seemed impossible 12 months ago. With stability and support she has been able to turn her life around.
Kara House is committed to creating a community in which all women and children have the right to live free of family violence, harassment, discrimination and abuse. We are a small, nimble group who providing specialist family violence services that prioritise the safety of our clients.
See below for current positions available at Kara House.
Vacancies are published regularly and if you would like to submit you CV as an expression of interest for future positions please email admin@karahouse.org.au.
Kara House offers students an effective and rewarding placement, whereby students can integrate theoretical knowledge into workplace practice under the supervision of qualified experienced workers.
All students gain understanding and knowledge in:
If you are interested in Student Placement at Kara House email a cover letter expressing your interest in the family violence sector with your CV attached. A current Victorian Driver’s license with good driving record, working with children check and Police Check are required. An interview may then be scheduled to determine if Kara House will be the right learning environment for the student. Only female students may apply (Equal Employment Opportunity Exemption).
Please email admin@karahouse.org.au
Kara House is a small organisation of capable and professional women and we welcome volunteers who can enhance our existing skill base. We are seeking Professional Volunteers to assist us in the areas of
If you are interested in becoming a Professional Volunteer at Kara House please email the Manager admin@karahouse.org.au
Unfortunately, due to the nature of our work, volunteer positions are not available to assist within our refuge.
Phone: 1800 900 520
Office hours: Monday to Friday - 9am to 5pm
Email: admin@karahouse.org.au
Postal address: P.O Box 308 Burwood VIC 3126
If you are experiencing family violence or you’re concerned for someone’s safety and need immediate assistance:
Emergency/Police 24HR Phone: 000
If you require crisis support and information.
Safe steps 24HR Response Line Phone: 1800 015 188
Our Useful Resources section has more information about other family violence support services and brochures.