Stories of Change
Inspiring Journeys of Resilience and Empowerment
Explore the powerful transformations of women who have triumphed over family and domestic violence, showcasing their strength, courage, and the support that helped them reclaim their lives.
Lives that have been transformed
Read about the impact we have had on the lives of women and families in need.
Fay's Story
As a single mum I was struggling. My support worker reached out to Hands of Hope Foundation, explaining what I needed. Hands of Hope Foundation was immediate with their response and offer of help. Before I knew it they were loading the materials I needed plus Christmas presents for my little one. They said that if I needed help again to reach out, so I reached out again for help this past Christmas, and they went above and beyond to make sure my little one and I were taken care of. Even with the things they didn’t have, they offered to make a referral to another organisation for me in the New Year. I am so grateful to Gary and Hands of Hope Foundation for their generosity. They have been a blessing to my little family in our times of need. We could have easily gone without the most basic of supplies but they came through for us. Every step of the way I was treated with dignity, this is rare in a world that strips the dignity from the vulnerable. Thank you Gary and the Team for giving me hope and restoring back my dignity. Externally grateful and now also hopeful!
Jane's Story
I came from the very stable, farming, Christian up bringing. I am a well-educated professional woman. As if domestic violence and divorce were ever going to be part of my story, but they are. Being a single Mum, was most definitely not going to be part of my story, but it is.
Thankfully, I was able to navigate the complexities of the police system, to keep a stable roof over me and my children’s heads. Hence, I didn’t need the practical support of household items, that Hands of Hope are so good at providing. But I sure did need their help.
I went to counselling & a psychologist in the 4 years after the split. I’d been told by other DV services, ” You’ve done really well navigating Centrelink and supports that came via the police. We don’t have anything else for you”. This is where the Hands of Hope – Women are Strong program came to my rescue.
This isn’t about getting you through the crisis stage of DV. Although for some women, it did empower the through this stage. For me, this provided me a way forward. I recognised there were a lot more things that happened in my relationship that were DV that I had realised. The “little red flags” that crept in before the big stuff happened.
We learnt together about ourselves and our relationships. Intimate relationships and family relationships that build our understanding of acceptable and unacceptable behaviours.
I learnt so much about my self. I finished the Women are Strong & Standing Strong programs feeling much stringer and more confident. I have changed how I will allow myself to be treated. I have been empowered to look for healthy relationships, both intimate and platonic. And how to contribute to relationships in healthier ways,
We shared stories and learning together in a safe place. A very special bunch of women who will always hold a significant place in my heart, whether we are able to continue friendships or not.
I’m forever thankful that Hands of Hope are part of my story.
Robyn's Story
There are no words to express what you ladies have given me at a time when I felt so very afraid and alone. I had nowhere to turn and I didn’t know how to breathe let alone keep going. The genuine love and care and support you both bring every week is truly life changing. On the first day I was hesitant and in denial about belonging but by the end of the first day not only was I determined not to miss a week, but, you two ladies and the ladies in the group, have impacted me so much I have decided that I want to work with people who have experienced trauma and domestic violence. I have a long way to go yet, the waves are still knocking me down at times but you ladies have helped me believe that I will get back up and keep moving forward even if it is ever so slow. From the bottom of my heart thank you so much, you don’t understand how big an impact you ladies are having. So much love and appreciation to you both.
Beth's Story
I have just spent the most interesting and thought provoking 16 weeks of my life. I attended the Women are Strong program before Christmas and have just completed the Standing Strong program.
I am in a much better place than when I first started.
I had been in an abusive relationship for many years and was the victim of a narcissistic person who controlled my life.
It took me being in these groups to understand just how controlling and manipulating my partner was and the content gave me the tools and courage to change my life for the better without him in it.
Being able to voice my fears, have them acknowledged but feel safe while doing it was extremely helpful in reaching my goal of having no contact with my former spouse.
Being able to speak to women who had had similar experiences and to hear how they cope helped towards my healing.
I know I still have a long way to go but I would not be where I am today if I did not attend these 2 groups.
Understanding DV and some of the behaviours of perpetrators put my situation into perspective. Understanding the need to put boundaries in place but still be flexible with them has set me on a path that I want to be on.
For so long, I hid behind the facade of everything will be OK, I don’t need to tell people what’s happening in my life, I am not worthy of being loved.
These two groups taught me that you don’t have to trek this path alone, you can find that safe place and start to heal and become the strong woman you want to be for those people who are important in your life.
I can’t thank Hands of Hope Foundation enough for making these courses available, I can’t thank enough the two wonderful women who sat in the front of the room every week for 16 weeks, I can’t thank the beautiful women in the group enough for the journey that I started last October and have now finished. Without all of you I know I would not be where I am today.
* names have been changed to protect the identity of each person
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