10+ women-focused charities and not-for-profits to support today
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Today, get a double dose of advocacy and community spirit as we support both International Women’s Day and some local Canberra charities.
In honour of International Women’s Day, we’ve collated a list of charities that directly and specifically support Canberran women, from those needing crisis accommodation, legal assistance, or mental health support to women with disabilities, pregnant women, and those dealing with breast cancer.
By making a donation to one of these charities and organisations, you are supporting Canberran women in need and helping create a gender-equal future.
It’s the two-for-one feel-good, do-good deal that will have a positive impact lasting even beyond March 8.
Beryl Women
Beryl Women Inc is the longest-running women’s refuge in Australia, providing crisis accommodation for women and children who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness due to domestic and family violence.
Additionally, they also empower them with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions in complex social and legal environments.
The funds raised will be used to offer trauma-informed care to further assist women in rebuilding their sense of control.
Bosom Buddies
For over 25 years, Bosom Buddies have been supporting Canberran women with breast cancer. Their Support Team is all volunteers who have experienced breast cancer personally or through loved ones.
They offer personalised and ongoing support through activities, events, information sessions, regular email updates, newsletters and more.
Bosom Buddies are raising money to fund counselling services, engage the younger demographic of people diagnosed with breast cancer and continue facilitating peer support groups.
Doris Women’s Refuge
Doris Women’s Refuge directly supports women and children escaping domestic and family violence through advocacy, mediation, referrals, court support and more.
With the funds raised, they will provide practical support and accommodation for migrants and refugee women and children who are escaping violence with very little or no income.
They also will use the funds raised to purchase basic household items to help families set up after leaving the Refuge.
Fearless Women
Did you know that young women in the ACT experience a higher level of psychological distress than any other group in Australia? Fearless Women’s objective is to intervene early to avoid the need for longer-term mental health support.
They help young Canberran women aged 10 to 25 with their mental health and well-being challenges through group activities, mentoring programs and school educational sessions. The funds raised will contribute directly to these efforts.
Karinya House
Karinya Houses’ ethos is that all women who are pregnant or parenting should be surrounded with the support they need. They offer their services in varying degrees, depending on what the individual needs, ranging from case management to accommodation to group programs.
By donating to Karinya House, you are increasing the capacity of the charity and the resources they can dedicate to each woman in need.
Toora Women
For more than 40 years, Toora Women has supported Canberra’s most vulnerable women. They provide safe and respectful support for all women experiencing and escaping family and domestic violence, homelessness, alcohol and other drug dependencies and the criminal justice system.
Funds raised will go towards providing meals, emergency support, counselling and childcare for the at-risk women and children who are in Toora Women’s care.
Women with Disabilities ACT
Women with Disabilities ACT is a Disabled Person’s Organisation that practices systemic advocacy on behalf of women, girls, feminine-identifying, and non-binary people with disabilities in the ACT.
Funds raised will be used to create more accessible resources to raise awareness of the issues and topics that affect women and non-binary people with disabilities, as well as to organise meet-ups and community outreach workshops.
Women’s Legal Centre
The Women’s Legal Centre provides free legal assistance to women, regarding domestic and family violence, separation and family breakdown, care and protection, problems at work, discrimination and migration. They also run a program for First Nations women, Mulleun Mura.
Funds raised will go into their legal disbursements fund, enabling them to represent women on more complex matters. Legal disbursements are costs like fees to prepare reports, valuations, hearing fees, barrister’s fees and more.
Women’s Health Matters
Women’s Health Matters is a not-for-profit organisation that works to improve the health and wellbeing of women in the ACT and surrounding region. They advocate on behalf of all ACT women, especially those experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability, and seek to improve the health and wellbeing of anyone who identifies as a woman.
Women’s Health Matters website and social media platforms are of great importance as they are a source of information and assistance. They are seeking donations so they can develop their resources by engaging with people with lived experience and health care providers.
Women’s Shed Canberra
Women’s Shed Canberra is the first of its kind in the ACT. Launched in September 2020, it is a space for women of all ages to feel empowered through acquiring power tools competency to manage and improve daily life.
Additionally, the restoration projects completed by the women save furniture pieces from going to the tip, adding to the circular economy.
Funds raised will be used to continue operations and explore avenues of expansion.
YWCA Canberra
YWCA Canberra is a feminist not-for-profit organisation that has provided community services and represented women’s issues in Canberra since 1929.
They work in the areas of children’s services, community development, homelessness and affordable housing, domestic and family violence, youth services, personal and professional training, women’s leadership, and advocacy.
Funds raised will support women and their families who are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness in Canberra.
