Feedback from our services
At RizeUp we are grateful for all the positive feedback we have received for our team and volunteers.
From the service: Our client was completely overwhelmed on seeing her house turned into a home this afternoon. When she saw the fruit bowl and read the card she started crying and did not stop for almost an hour. She was blown away by the generosity and personal touches.
Afterwards she stated ‘this is the first time a home has felt like mine, like I am seen rather than I’m living in his house, in his shadow, where I need permission to touch anything’. She is most looking forward to baking in the kitchen and listening to her daughters play without fear of making noise.
Thank you for giving this precious family a safe home to start over in.
Dear Rize Up Team,
I hope this message finds you well.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to you for including our program in the beautiful work that you do. Your support throughout this year has been invaluable in helping us provide much-needed joy and respite to the families impacted by Domestic and Family Violence.
Your commitment to our cause is truly amazing, and we deeply appreciate your partnership in making a positive difference in the lives of those we serve. Your generosity and dedication to our mission have had a profound impact, and we are extremely grateful for your continued support.
As we approach the end of the year, we look forward to further collaboration and the opportunity to continue our efforts in bringing relief and support to those in need. Your contribution is invaluable in our mission to create a safer and more compassionate community.
Please note that we are providing the completed list on this email and the contact details for the distribution.
Once again thank you very much.
Kind regards,
Senior DFV Practitioner
99 Steps - CALD Domestic and Family Violence Program
"This letter is to affirm the great work that Rizeup has continually provided to our organisation, in particular the ROAR program, and our clients.
ROAR- Refuge Outreach Action Response (ROAR) operates in Sydney’s Hills district and Blacktown local government areas.
ROAR provides refuge accommodation as well as outreach support in the community to people who are escaping or experiencing Domestic and Family Violence and those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless.
As such, the work that we do to assist women and children to relocate (at times with nothing) could not be done with out the assistance of Rizeup providing home set ups, as well as one off donations particularly during this time when COVID places our clients, staff and the community at higher risk.
RizeUp have a strong understanding of how to uphold the dignity of victims and operates in a manner that protects our clients, identity and has their safety and the safety of volunteers at the core of their service delivery. This strongly aligns with DVSM’s values and principles which makes them a valuable partner in the shared work that we do.
Thank you and kind regards,"
Service Lead
DVSM
“Hello Nicolle,
We have not met in person but writing you this message makes me smile.
My name is *, I am Team Leader at Gold Coast Refuge (Save the Children Australia or SCA). As you know we provide crisis accommodation and support for women and children who have fled from significant and ongoing domestic and family violence.
Since the Christmas period up until now, we have experienced a higher than usual rate of pleas for assistance, and accordingly we have exhausted many of our regular support networks. One of our Family Support Specialist staff recently reached out to RizeUp for assistance with the purchase of an iPad bundle for a student !!!! AND YOU DELIVERED !!!!.
I don’t feel like “thank you” is enough and I would like to provide some context, while still respecting the family’s privacy, because if you are anything like me – THIS IS WHY I get out of bed!
One of our families living in refuge is a single mother with a school aged daughter. The student has brought home a flyer that lists an Exclusive BYOD Program. With the saddest face the girl explained to our staff that BYOD means BRING YOUR OWN DEVICE, and as such, she believed this was near impossible!
Our child support specialist staff unsuccessfully appealed to the relevant School for support with the purchase of the equipment. The school were verbally sympathetic but could not offer any relief. The child’s mother is a low-income earner who is currently relying on Centrelink as the family have been uprooted from all that was familiar. The student/child is starting off in her new class at a new school and struggles to ‘fit in’ due to complexities that I cannot mention (just for privacy reasons).
It warms me to realise that RizeUp understands the importance of this - for her to ‘fit in’ or at least not feel completely exposed means, having the right equipment to be able participate in class, to have the same access to educational opportunities that many of us take for granted, and to feel some sense of belonging to her new environment.
Each 6 weeks, SCA refuges in Sth East Qld share a ‘happy story’, and it is not always so easy to provide one. This reporting period I look forward to sharing this story and it was only made possible by you! The news feed informs our board of senior staff, and on behalf of all of us, and especially on behalf of the child whose voice I hope to enable with this message, we all deeply and sincerely thank you.
Kind regards,
(Name withheld for privacy) | Team Leader | DFV Refuge & Mobile Support Program”
Save the Children Australia
“The support that we received from RizeUp was absolutely incredible. To be honest, I don’t think there’s been an easier example in my careers for finding funds for abstract requests than this. It was incredibly prompt and timely, not bureaucratic and you are both very kind and easy to communicate with.
“Susan” cried when I told her you were willing to cover the deposit also and the vet bills. It meant everything to her. She’s incredibly resourceful with her money but gets barely enough to get by on the Job Seeker payment. She actually thought that she was going to have to get Lucky put down as she just couldn’t afford the treatment. That old dog means so much to her and her family and I’m not sure how she would have coped with more loss and grief.
She said to me that she can’t believe that there’s people out there who are willing to help like this and be so generous. “Susan” has been through a lot and hasn’t been supported in the past to move to a safe space. She has experienced a lot of victim blaming and racism in her life and this has made her hesitant to seek support, she was saying the other day that its shocked her that she’s believed and that her experience has been validated, and that RizeUp were so willing to support her by supporting the vet bills. I think after you’ve experienced so much violence in your life you become more accustomed to that, rather than the kindness if that makes sense.
She has been saying that she can’t believe the support she has received and wished she had of had this kind of support in the past when she did try flee several times. The acts of kindness from RizeUp has really helped restore some faith in systems as in the past she has been treated badly.
Women’s Advocate
“RizeUp Australia is a fantastic service that helps families find safety, security and dignity as they rebuild their lives after fleeing domestic violence. RizeUp focus on creating a welcoming home for families and on removing the financial and emotional stress of setting up a new life after domestic violence. They truly make a massive difference to these families and provide the platform to RizeUp again.”
Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust
“A huge thank you to RizeUp ***
We had a request from a father of one of our client's on outreach - seeking a way to get a loan as an aged pensioner.
This father had been supporting his daughter and his four grandchildren over the last three years. His daughter has been navigating very serious domestic violence, going in and out of refuges and specialist services, however due to the complexity of this situation it resulted in the grandfather taking all four children into his care at one time. Over the period of the last few years, this very loving and caring father has provided significant financial support to his daughter and grandchildren. Unfortunately the domestic violence has continued, but with the right supports in place, his daughter and his grandchildren are receiving the right supports.
During this period this father has experienced significant financial distress and hardship. He has lost his house and has had to move into a retirement home off the mainland. He has also been diagnosed with an illness, which has resulted in being told he only has two to three years to live. This father was given the opportunity to accept a rental at a retirement facility, however the property was located off shore, making it less expensive. He needed to be able to access the mainland to access medical appointments. He also supports his community with volunteering work, particularly helping youth at risk. He was in great need of a small boat to be able to accept this rental. He reached out asking for help to secure a loan to purchase a boat, as no one would lend him the money due to his age and health issues.
I contacted the wonderful Nic from RizeUp and put his story forward asking if she had any thoughts how we could raise funds to support this amazing father and grandfather or if she had contacts re loans. This father had been helping others for so many years, not only his own family, but many other families, and now he needed our help.
Nic and the amazing Gareth quickly came to the rescue and helped by raising $5,000 to purchase a second hand boat for this amazing family. I was speechless when I got the call from Nicole telling me they would fund this. With tears in my eyes and my heart bursting, I had the privilege of calling this beautiful father and shared the wonderful news.
He would like me to pass on to you a massive thank you. This has taken incredible pressure off him and his family and he cannot put in words what this means to him. He was looking for a loan, never for a moment thinking he would be given this gift.
A huge thank you to RizeUp and all the amazing donors who have helped this family, and perhaps even added time to his life as a result. This support is literally life saving. Thank you !!!!”
Refuge Manager
(Name withheld for privacy)
Domestic & Family Violence Service Manager
yourtown
"I just wanted to let you know that after 5 years of working at Clare Homes, I am moving to another job.
I wanted to say goodbye and wish you and your team all the best for a happy and successful future.
Working with RizeUp and seeing the amazing, tireless work that you all do, and beautiful outcomes that you help our families achieve, has been one of the great highlights and inspirations of working in this space.
Thank you again for your quick responses and your generosity in supporting our clients and our workers over the years."
Jazmine
Clare Homes
“I received a home set up on 18.05.22 for myself and my two children. I am expecting my third child and had relocated to the Northern Rivers to escape domestic violence. My family had been in Bugalma Bihyn Aboriginal Women’s and Children’s Refuge with the support of Women Up North. I was so happy when a house came up for us to move into, so we did not have to be in a refuge when I have a new baby coming. When I found out about the house I was really happy but then really stressed out because I fled domestic violence with only my kids and a couple of bags of stuff. I had been trying to save to buy some stuff for the new baby but felt hopeless because I did not know what I was going to do to even get things for my other kids like beds and all the normal things you need to cook and stuff. I was scared to take the house because I did not know how I could make it work and not just be moving into something that was empty and stressing my kids out more with another change, another place, another move to something that is not ours.
When my case worker told me about RizeUp and that they might help I thought it was worth a try. My family moved into the house on the afternoon that RizeUp finished setting up the home. I was worried leaving the refuge on the way to my new house. I had met some nice people and my kids had made friends with other kids at the refuge. We were sad, and happy to go but unsure of another change in our life. When I opened the front door of my new house I was so shocked, I started crying. Everything I needed to set up the house for my kids was already there from the RizeUp people. My kids were so happy. I was so happy and stopped stressing about how I was going to make this change. I would never have been able to afford to set up the home nice or for in time when we got to move in. Thank you RizeUp, you made the next step for my family so much less stressful. My son even got a bike left for him! I could not have made such a beautiful home better than adding my family to it! Thank you all for your help for people that need it, not just my family, it means so much to have a home set up and a place to feel like your own when women and their kids are trying to start a new life. You help make it happen and make people that need help feel like they are cared for. We love the chance you gave us to have a happy place to call home.”
From the (H) family
22 July 2022
“In early October, McAuley Community Services for Women joined forces with the formidable team at RizeUp Australia, to ready the newly refurbished, custom-designed Heywood House crisis accommodation for opening.
Over a busy four-days, the RizeUp team of volunteers worked to furnish 14 units at Heywood House. Together, they turned empty rooms and blank walls into a warm and welcoming space, for 35 women and children to call home for stays of up to two months.
McAuley CEO, Jocelyn Bignold OAM, believes RizeUp Australia was the perfect partner for this project. “RizeUp’s mission is very closely aligned with our own, and their programs complement our work to support women and children escaping family violence to do so with dignity. It’s a wonderful partnership and one that I hope will continue.”
The team worked tirelessly to problem solve, furnish and decorate not only the 14 units – including seven family suites and seven single units, each with a kitchenette – but also a number of communal areas including a beautiful children’s playroom, and a number of workspaces.
“We cannot thank RizeUp enough for their support and management of this process,” said Felicity Pringle, Head of Communications, Advocacy and Fundraising at McAuley. “The manpower and coordination required to fit out these spaces was extraordinary, but nothing was too difficult for the team. Their positivity and dedication made such an incredible difference to the outcome of this project. The warmth and character they have brought to these spaces is more than we could ever have dreamed.”
RizeUp Australia is a Queensland-founded organisation that now works nationally by partnering with domestic and family violence agencies to enhance their service options. RizeUp founder and CEO Nicolle Edwards says, “We are incredibly proud of our partnership with McAuley and look forward to continuing to work together to provide many more positive outcomes. RizeUp has been supporting McAuley’s clients as they exit refuge for quite a while now. When the request came through to assist with Heywood House, this extremely worthwhile project was an easy decision to say yes.”
With family violence the biggest, and fastest growing cause of homelessness in Victoria, Heywood House provides victim-survivors of family violence with an opportunity for safety and recovery. The combination of accommodation, access to 24/7 support staff, and spaces to attend online meetings and plan for the future, is very unique.
Named in honour of Sheila Heywood, one of two Sisters of Mercy who founded McAuley’s family violence operations in 1988, Heywood House continues a proud history of providing safety and refuge for women and children escaping family violence.
“I can’t stop smiling, imagining the expressions on the faces of our first residents as they discover the oasis that awaits them at such a traumatic time,” said Felicity Pringle. “I believe our team have created a space that Sheila Heywood would be very proud of. We couldn’t have done it without RizeUp Australia’s support.”
Trauma Recovery Hub is a shiny star in, often very gloomy circumstances that women from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities who experience domestic, family, and sexual violence face when they try to get support to have their basic medical needs met. Trauma Recovery Hub makes it possible for women experiencing trauma related to domestic, family, or sexual violence to have equitable access to mental health resources and services, regardless of their visa status. Over the last several months, SARA Program referred at least one woman per week to Trauma Recovery Hub to advocate on their behalf to access services such as psychologist appointments or general practitioner appointments. Additionally, in some instances, Trauma Recovery Hub paid for the child’s vaccination or the private health insurance installment.
Women supported by the SARA report that, before they were referred to Trauma Recovery Hub, they were experiencing additional trauma trying to get help to pay for their medical appointments. One woman reported that “I desperately needed to see a psychologist, but I didn’t have a Medicare card and I didn’t have money to pay the psychologist. Thanks to the Trauma Recovery Hub, I am now seeing a Portuguese-speaking psychologist, who is helping me to deal with the trauma of separation”.
Another woman found herself in a position where she couldn’t pay for her newborn baby’s doctor’s appointments. Her feedback suggests that: “When you don’t have a Medicare card or private health insurance, you feel like no one cares about what happens to you. “Trauma Recovery hub helped me to take my baby to see a doctor and I am forever grateful that they showed me that me and my baby matter.”
(Name Withheld for Privacy)
Manager - SARA Program
Multicultural Families Organisation
One day a man was walking along the beach, when he noticed a girl hurriedly picking up and gently throwing things into the ocean.
Approaching the girl, he asked, "Young lady, what are you doing?"
The girl replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die."
The man laughed to himself and said, "Don't you realize there are kilometres and kilometres of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make any difference!"
After listening politely, the girl bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, she said.
"I made a difference to that one."
And on behalf of that one and her family I deeply and sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart to all that were involved and it has an impact beyond words will ever convey and for the first time since the kids were born my tears weren't from sadness or despair and distress they were that of just unbelievable thankful ness and appreciation for the kindness and generosity displayed and shown by all who touched my home your touched all of our lives n hearts and so positively it's a blessing beyond comprehension.
You Make an immeasurable difference to this starfish family.
Thank you for everything ❤️
Kindest regards
(Name Withheld for Privacy)
WCSSI
“RizeUp has been able to achieve real change in the community with their various programs that support and encourage families affected by domestic and family violence to make a fresh start.
The important work that RizeUp and their partners do isn’t just about creating a fresh start for victims of domestic and family violence.
It shows these women and children that their community cares and wants to support them to live a life free from violence and reminds them that they are not alone in their journey.
I want to just take this moment to say – thank you.”
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman MP
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice
Minister for Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence
Dear Team,
Where can I start and how can I thank you enough for what you have done, since I came to my home and I have everything furnished I still have happiness tears in my eyes. I can not believe it, it is beyond my expectations..
My home is warm and beautiful, a real home that I always wished to have. After all the miserable times I've been through I was scared of the future thinking how and where to start and make a home for me and my little daughter.
But you have created magic, you brought so much kind and love in my home with every little details you left while putting together the furniture. The hours you spent buying the furniture and waking up early and come here first thing in the morning to try and finish it same day. I appreciate every single thing you have done🙏
The bedroom, the couches was beautifully designed and filling up the kitchen and bathroom and the laundry with all my needs was very kind. The plants and the beautiful flowers you left in the living room, balcony, bedroom reminds me to smile and gives me alot of hopes.
I never had such a surprise in my life never, you can imagine how much tears I had while walking around my home and take a peaceful breath after over a month of being homeless and not knowing how to start creating a home. Thank you for the toys and all my baby stuff my daughter loved it ❤ she can't stop screaming of happiness and so I am😄 I read her the books everyday and tell her to be thankful to you for your kind surprise, its her first time she has her bedroom with amazing things.
You designed and decorated things as if it was me, everything I wished to have❤ You guys are amazing, am forever thankful to you
Thank you very much. Thanks to you every second I feel safe in my home.
Without you I could not have this beautiful place.
The entire Lisa Pollock team are in awe of what you all do - it's truly inspirational to see the time & effort you all put in to make these families feel safe, special, and appreciated. We hope that our donations can make these families feel comfortable & at ease in their new surroundings and if it puts a smile on only one of their faces we all feel complete. We believe that each one of you RizeUp team are truly Angels & we are honoured to help your cause. Keep being amazing RizeUp & thank you for all that you do to help all the families in need ❤ If you are a local business please get behind their wonderful cause as every woman & child should feel safe 🙏
I am writing to express my deepest gratitude and admiration for the extraordinary partnership between Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre and RizeUp Australia.
As the CEO of Safe Steps, I am continually inspired by the incredible work we do in supporting women and children escaping family violence, and the remarkable contributions of our partner, RizeUp, equally inspire me.
The recent refuge project, Sanctuary, stands as a shining testament to the invaluable support we have received from RizeUp. This initiative is not merely a refuge but a haven of hope and healing for those who have experienced the darkest corners of domestic and family violence. RizeUp’s unwavering dedication to this project, providing practical support to help us furnish and create harmonious, comfortable spaces, has transformed Sanctuary into a place of solace, safety, and security.
We extend our sincerest appreciation to the entire RizeUp team and the dedicated volunteers who have selflessly given their time and effort to assist us in making Sanctuary a reality. Your compassion and commitment will bring comfort and stability to countless women and their children, ensuring they find respite and support during their journey towards recovery.
RizeUp’s work within the Domestic and Family Violence space is commendable and has played an integral role in the critical support of Safe Steps. Over the years, RizeUp has invested significant funds and hours ensuring our refuge projects are furnished and completed to the highest standard. In addition to Sanctuary, RizeUp furnished Virginia’s Place, and we acknowledge their continued commitment to creating stylish and welcoming spaces for our refuge residents. By focusing on practical, hands-on assistance, RizeUp fulfils a unique and essential role in complementing the broader services provided by Safe Steps.
On behalf of Safe Steps and the countless women and children who have found refuge and support through our partnership with RizeUp, I extend our deepest thanks and appreciation. Together, we are making a significant impact on the lives of those who need it most, and we remain steadfast in our mission to eradicate domestic and family violence.
Yours faithfully
Dr Chelsea Tobin
Chief Executive Officer
Thank you for your generosity! We, at TCWR, greatly appreciate your donation, and your thoughtfulness in choosing our service for the much-needed items required for our crisis accommodation service. Your willingness to support our vision of a safe community with strong families living free from violence has been received with much gratitude.
We believe that ‘together we can make a difference’ to the lives of the vulnerable women and children who experience domestic, family and sexual violence. It is encouraging to know that our work is supported and acknowledged in other States even though our Service reach is limited to the Barkly region.
We have utilised your donation in our crisis accommodation. The mothers have been so excited that their baby/babies can be more mobile around the centre, sleep independently as well as eat independently without causing them any unnecessary pressure while they are navigating through their next journey. It has been such a relief as we are a very small DFV service with high demand in community that only has a 9-bed capacity in a remote location.
Again, many thanks for your generosity. We will certainly acknowledge your contribution in our AGM report 2023/2024 and will post this out for you by Sept 2024.