4 minute read
the eve of a new era
THE EVE PROJECT, NEWLY OPENED ON BULLI’S MAIN STREET, IS A PLACE FOR HEALING IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. IT OFFERS A BRIGHT VENUE FOR PRIVATE AND CORPORATE EVENTS, WHILE EMPOWERING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR WOMEN WHO HAVE SURVIVED ABUSE
Words Penny Keogh @oursliceofpie Images Lewis Brooke; Isabelle Laurent
Social entrepreneurs Lisa Brooke and Helen Dwyer began planning The Eve Project five years ago, with a vision to build a healing and nurturing space which better supports women to rebuild their lives after abuse.
Having launched a pilot of their supported work experience and pathways to employment program in July 2019, to date,The Eve Project has connected with 16 local women and supported eight of these women through the program.
The opening of the Bulli shopfront represents the dawning of a new stage in the initiative’s evolution, that officially began with the appointment of a board of directors in 2017 and has grown to include practical and therapeutic supports, vocational training, as well as a social enterprise arm, Eve & Co.
Eve & Co offers catering services, for corporate functions, private events, even holiday property or retreat catering, and at outdoor events from their vintage-style food van, nicknamed Eve.They not only deliver a nourishing and joyful experience for customers but provide supportive work experience for participants to build their skills and confidence to enter employment again.
Co-founder Helen, a trained case manager, proudly reflects on the accomplishments of a couple of participants in the past year. Helen looks forward to what the Bulli opening will bring to a new group who will join the program this July.
“One participant has now graduated with a Certificate II in Community Services,” says Helen.“Her end goal is to enter the police as a domestic violence officer supporting other Aboriginal women like her. “Another participant completed her Certificate III in Hospitality and a work placement in a local bakery. She is now employed in a traineeship and is completing her Certificate in Baking and Pastry to become a baker.
“Even if a participant’s end goal is not achieved, the progress made is still incredible.The change in their socialisation, their confidence and even their appearance is remarkable. It's an honour to walk alongside such brave women.”
Agreeing with those sentiments is a former participant, Mary* , who was referred to The Eve Project after living in a Wollongong refuge with her teenage son.“I have not encountered more empathetic and compassionate women, who really get it.They offered a place where I was learning a new vision of a different life,” says Mary.“They helped me to unpack the shame, the guilt, and the blame.They helped us understand ourselves and what’s healthy.”
Mary considers the program’s practical therapeutic interventions as particularly important to her, which are part of the holistic perspective the program takes to support participants.
“One day we went to a local property and walked for hours in nature.At that time, I was even too scared to walk down the street, too worried I might see my ex-partner, though here, all my senses came alive. In a few weekends, I didn’t feel afraid to walk down the street anymore.
“The cooking class was so much fun,” says Mary. “Back then I was in this headspace where I couldn’t care for myself.The idea of cooking was impossible. Lisa taught our group how to make this broth, full of nutrients and nourishment. It really was food for the soul and helped me to be more mindful of the simple pleasure of self-care.”
Board member Naomi Dear, who has a long career as a case manager for women in crisis and post separation, believes The Eve Project’s unique fundraising approach gives important flexibility to deliver support uniquely tailored for each participant.
“The establishment of Eve & Co means the program is not solely reliant on external or government funding which is often limited to crisis and short-term support,” says Naomi.
“The Eve Project gives women time to recover in a sustainable way.This program breaks the cycle of trauma because participants are not stuck in survival mode.
“Healed survivors can learn to stand up for themselves and teach their children those same values and life skills.This feels quite personal, because in my years of working in the Wollongong area I could have referred hundreds of women toThe Eve Project who I felt just weren’t getting the support they needed, and I know thousands could benefit in the future.”
The community around The Eve Project has proven they feel that same personal connection, with co-founder, Lisa, deeply appreciative of the warm welcome they have been shown.
“We are grateful to the many local businesses that have supported the Bulli fit-out and enabled us to offer women this beautiful and nurturing space,” says Lisa.
“One participant expressed she had always wanted a loving family and people around who genuinely cared for her, she just never knew it would look like this.That's how I feel about what this project is for our community and I’m proud to be part of it.”
“Our long-term goals are to develop an effective program model that can be replicated, and offers hope for a full and purposeful life,” adds Helen. “One that helps to sever the generational transference of trauma and welfare dependence.”
