MEDIA

Starts February 14. To find out more or book a place contact Kara House on 1800 900 520 or email admin@karahouse.org.au As featured the Whitehorse Leader on Monday 29 February, the group is an education and support group for women.

In January this year, we were able to install a brand new kitchen in the Kara House refuge thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Clubs of Mont Albert & Surrey Hills (MASH), Monash and the Whitehorse Rotaract Club.

The kitchen is the central point of the refuge where our clients cook food, feed their children and meet with others in similar circumstances. The old 1970’s kitchen was in disrepair and we believed a new kitchen would greatly improve their experience while in our care.

Every year Rotary MASH partner with the local community to assist or raise funds for local projects. Last year we approached Rotary MASH with our wish to replace the old kitchen at Kara House. Rotary MASH was immediately on board and approached other Rotary Clubs and the Rotaract Club to participate in the project.

When the Rotary Club of Monash and the Whitehorse Rotaract club both agreed to be partners, it was then decided to approach Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) to obtain a Dick Smith Compassionate Grant to match the amount of money donated by the three clubs. This was sufficient to provide the entire funding to install a new kitchen.

Shia Smart, District Governor Nominee of Rotary District 9810, said
“As Rotarians, and local community members, we collaborate together and with community leaders who want to get to work on projects that have a real lasting impact on people’s lives. Kara House is one such project. The new kitchen creates a contemporary facility that will enable women and children to recover and heal in a quality and safe environment.”

With this donation, we were able to provide an up-to-date kitchen with new cupboards, bench tops and brand new appliances including a dishwasher.

The new kitchen at Kara House has created an inviting and safe environment for the women and children who seek refuge and will assist to improve their long-term outcomes.

The Midsumma Festival is Victoria’s premier LGBTI cultural festival, made for and by communities who live with shared experiences around diverse gender and sexuality. Held annually since 1988 it is the largest celebration of gay and lesbian culture and art; including performing arts to music, sports to film.

The Midsumma Community Day on January 14th kicked off the 3-week festival and Kara House team joined in the fun manning our stall in the community hub. The team handed out gift bags containing pens, badges and wristbands and information brochures. By talking and fielding questions with the community the team was able to spread awareness of family violence within the LGBTI community and the support that Kara House provides to those who are experiencing family violence.

Kara House is a specialist family/domestic violence service which provides crisis accommodation and outreach support for women and children who have been impacted by family/domestic violence. Kara House clients are allocated an individual skilled and experienced family/domestic violence support worker to assist them to identify their needs and to move towards a more positive future. This includes emotional support, risk assessment and safety planning, advice and information, advocacy, referral, Court support and liaison with schools and child protection. Kara House welcomes all clients – young and aged, with a multicultural background, single, LGBTI, women with disabilities, and women with children. Clients can contact Kara House directly or can be referred from another service.

In January this year, we were able to install a brand new kitchen in the Kara House refuge thanks to a generous donation from the Rotary Clubs of Mont Albert & Surrey Hills (MASH), Monash and the Whitehorse Rotaract Club.