Caroline Chisholm Society Annual Report 2022-2023

ANNUAL REPORT

FINANCIAL YEAR 2022- 2023

In acknowledging the traditional owners of the lands on which we live, work and provide services, we also acknowledge the Indigenous Australian families who have come into contact and sought out our services over the past year. In seeking out our services, the Society also acknowledges Indigenous organisations we have the privilege to collaborate with in working closely with families to achieve their hopes and goals as parents.

We also acknowledge Dr Philomene Joshua, Mrs Pat Coffey OAM, and the countless women and men who committed to making an impact in the lives of women and children over the past 50 years. We honour this heritage, and pay tribute to this work, as well as especially paying tribute to the ongoing and everyday labour of love we witness through the privilege of being a part of the lives of mothers, children and families.

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT The Caroline Chisholm Society is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation.

Clients’ names have been changed throughout the report to respect their privacy.

Project management and copy editing by Zoe Karkas, Why Not This. Illustration and design by Ania Nowakowska, redwagon design.

This report has been printed on 100% recycled paper.

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The Caroline Chisholm Society

Since its foundational days, the Caroline Chisholm Society has come to be known for its specialisation in the First 1000 Days of a child’s life, dedicating ourselves to work in support of pregnant women, keeping families together and reducing the need for child protection services involvement in the lives of women and their young children.

It truly takes a village of individuals, philanthropic bodies, businesses, community groups, and governments to support mothers and children. Together we have been providing 50 years of compassion and care. Together we are making a real and lasting difference. Together we are the village that mothers and children

CONTENT

need. Thank you for being part of our village.

COMPASSION, CARE & SERVICE - THANK YOU WENDY

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SPECIALISING IN SUPPORT - PRESIDENT'S REPORT

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DELIVERING OUTCOMES - CEO'S REPORT

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OUR IMPACT & OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

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KEY IMPACTS & OUTCOMES 2022-2023

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BREAKING THE CYCLE - SEVAL'S STORY

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THE TRANSFORMATION - LOREDANA'S STORY

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PHILANTHROPY AT WORK - TREASURER'S REPORT

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OUR HEARTFELT THANKS - VOLUNTEERS & SUPPORTERS

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IT TAKES A VILLAGE - PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS

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Annual Report 2023 PAGE 3

Our Mission We respect life. The period from earliest pregnancy to preschool is critical in human life and this is the focus of our work. The better a child and their parents can be assisted during this crucial time, the better our community and the world will be.

We work with the whole family to support secure attachment, optimize child outcomes through parenting interventions, prevent and alleviate the impacts of poverty, homelessness, family violence and issues with mental health on parent and

OUR MISSION

child-wellbeing.

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We also work with women to keep families together and prevent the involvement of child protection services in the lives of women and their children.

The Caroline Chisholm Society

Our Values

OUR VALUES

Respect for Life Every human life is valuable. The work of the Society is intended to uphold the dignity of motherhood in choosing to give birth; improving the social and economic outcomes for women and their children; and providing for the safety and wellbeing of both mother and baby.

Compassion and Caring Compassion is often described as the act of providing care based on empathy, dignity and respect, and is intrinsic to effective social care. Being compassionately responsive to the care needs of all those who come in contact with, receive services from, or for those individuals who work in a professional or voluntary capacity with the organisation.

Recognising Diversity An essential characteristic of communities which are rich, vigorous, creative and challenging; we value diversity of thought and experience and believe that our inclusive and collaborative culture strengthens our organisation and contributes to successful client outcomes. We are committed to: •

•

achievement of human dignity and the achievement of social justice. cultural diversity in the development of an inclusive organisation and in the provision of services into communities where the Society has a presence.

Social Justice Everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights, and opportunities. Social justice in action for the purposes of the work of the Society is to create the opportunities and improve access to resources, services, full participation and connection to community and culture.

Empowerment A process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in making decisions for oneself and family, experiencing a greater degree of autonomy in personal choices and being able to express selfdetermination in a responsible way in recognition of self-autonomy and agency.

a society in which respect for difference is accompanied by equality of opportunity,

Annual Report 2023 PAGE 5

THANK YOU WENDY

Epitomising Compassion, Care & Service. Thank you Wendy!

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In 1983, Wendy Hunt joined the Caroline Chisholm Society at the Goulburn Valley Pregnancy Support Service in Shepparton as a volunteer.

“I have seen many changes and transitions of this organisation – from the shed in Park Street Moonee Ponds, to the boardroom in Essendon.”

At that time, volunteering looked very different and involved staffing the office, distributing material aid including maternity clothes, minding the children of clients, and taking clients out to hospital visits.

She recalled some fond times during her tenure on the Board, to some challenging times that has seen them through to what the Society has established now.

Wendy fondly remembers when Mrs Pat Coffey (co-founder of the Society) recruited her. As a teacher in Maroopna, Wendy remembers there was a need for material aid in the community. At the time the Pregnancy Support Service offered services that other agencies didn’t.

Wendy was more than happy to assist in distributing material aid to those families in need.

The landscape for family services has since undergone dramatic changes, and volunteering has changed to support the professional work of staff.

Wendy recalls her time in distributing material aid, “We worked with more Aboriginal communities and refugees in Shepparton; and the problems presented then are the same now.”

As the Shepparton site became an integral site for the Caroline Chisholm Society, Wendy’s experience was much sought after to join the Society’s Board of Management and provide the muchneeded perspective for the needs of the Goulburn Valley community.

Although Wendy retired from the Board in 2022, as a lifelong member of the Society she still volunteers her time at the Shepparton office, sorting and packing clothes for families.

She says that just like then people still need the support and material aid. Shepparton is very community focussed and usually people rally around to help families.

Wendy says her time volunteering at the Society has enriched her life, and being on the Board gave her a broader view of the role the Society plays in the wider community.

What you get as a local volunteer is great interaction and may be even friendships.

“It isn’t all giving, you gain something as well."

Wendy hopes more younger volunteers will come forward in the future, helping to connect and relate with the demographic of families seeking assistance from the Society today.

“In some ways everything around us changes, but the need doesn’t change.”

The Caroline Chisholm Society

Annual Report 2023

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The great work of the Caroline Chisholm Society has continued in 2023.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

We specialise in support for babies, pregnant women, and families with pre-school children.

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The period from the earliest time in pregnancy to preschool is critical for human growth and development.

The better that a child and their parents, who are in need, can be assisted during this crucial time, the First Thousand Days, the better our community and the world will be.

This is why the work of the Caroline Chisholm Society is so important.

There are very few organisations that specialise in the work we do.

We are privileged and proud to carry out this important work.

We have been delivering support for our mothers, families, and pregnant women across our 3 sites Essendon, Caroline Springs, and the Goulburn Valley.

Our social workers, staff and volunteers have been working tirelessly for our clients.

Thank you also to our volunteers, generous donors, including the Department of Family, Fairness and Housing for their continued support.

This is the final year of my Presidency. I will be stepping down from the Board this year.

I wish to particularly thank my Board colleagues. I cannot thank you enough for all their wisdom, advice, and support whilst I have been President these past 5 years.

We have new members coming onto the Board next year. They bring with them new eyes, ears, and ideas for the Caroline Chisholm Society Board. The Society is very fortunate to have secured such talent for the Board. We will be in good hands.

I wish all my new Board colleagues, Caroline Chisholm Society management, all our wonderful staff and volunteers every blessing for the future.

Our management, led by our CEO, Dr Jennifer Weber has done amazing work.

The Caroline Chisholm Society, all of us together: clients, volunteers, staff, management, and Board, will go forward to help our mothers, families, and children into the future.

Just as Caroline Chisholm herself would want us to do.

Thank you to them all. Your work is so valued and valuable.

Dr Michael Christie President

The Caroline Chisholm Society

“Thank you so much for your time this year for us, and your previous advice in parenting and cheering me up in many ways.

I really appreciate it.” - Client Annual Report 2023

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Delivering outcomes for women, families and young children.

CEO’S REPORT

In compiling this year’s annual reporting, I am always in awe of how far our work has come along in delivering on outcomes for women, families and young children. And 2022/23 has yet again been a year of achievements across the organisation as we continue to innovate in areas of need as well as responding to the changes in government funding post-COVID while always mindful of the growing demand for services.

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This year’s Annual Report is a focus on the lived experience of our clients who have generously shared their stories in the hope of reaching out to other women and families impacted by violence, homelessness and mental health concerns. Their resilience continues to inspire hope for our staff and volunteers, and is a reminder of the importance in providing prevention family services to mitigate the risks these mothers have highlighted in telling their stories.

Housing issues, including housing insecurity, continues to significantly impact clients and we were grateful for the support of Homes Victoria and Minister Colin Brooks in recognising the Society’s work in specialist housing supports in this year’s state budget, providing much-need additional funding.

Our perinatal mental health specialisation continues to support women in preventing the need for lengthy waitlists with some services in the western suburbs having to either close their waitlists or unable

to commit to when services may be made available.

In advocating for our work, sadly the 10 substantial recommendations from the Parliamentary Inquiry into Perinatal Mental Health in 2018 have yet to be fully realised and continues to highlight the serious gaps in service funding to improve mental health outcomes for mothers.

The lived experience of pregnant women experiencing homelessness and risks to child protection involvement are of considerable concern with the need for the investments into prevention work for the First 1000 Days. We know, that investments into prevention rather than remediation is key to later success in education and life. That is, the earlier the investment, the greater the return.

This year’s report also highlights the impact our programs continue to have in reach of delivering programs. Over 30% of our clients have been accessing one of our seven evidence-based programs.

This includes SafeCare, Circle of Security, Bringing Up Great Kids and Keys to Caregiving.

Our team of staff are supported through our growing student placement model and student internship approach, providing meaningful work opportunities while students complete their courses in community services and social work.

We welcomed so many in partnership and collaboration with our work. Thank you to the local

The Caroline Chisholm Society

International Women's Day 2023 and national organisations including the Brave Foundation, Big Group Hug, Optus, Melbourne Pregnancy and Pelvic Floor Physio, St Vincent Primary School (Strathmore), Risa J, Tanya V and Stef from Essendon, Country Women's Association Niddrie and Essendon, and Essendon Rotary.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our leadership team – Ayfer, Michelle, Dinushka, Dianne, Lucy, Niki and Viva – along with our wonderful team of staff who uphold the dignity and respect of our clients regardless of their circumstances, situations and issues.

Attending to these situations on a daily basis when our clients share their appreciation in recognising both the hardships they have endured and the efforts involved in finding a way through the trauma and difficulties confronting them.

I would also like to take this opportunity in recognising our Board in providing the guidance in our new strategic plan for 20232026, in focus of what matters and keeping us aligned to our mission and values. I would also like to thank and to wish the best for our retiring President, Dr Michael Christie; acknowledging his oversight and guidance of the Board as well as his years of service both as a member and volunteer for the Society.

Guest Speaker Jacinta shared her lived experience including her incredible journey showing resilience and strength, inspiring others to come forward in the hope of changing outcomes for women and their children.

“Speaking at IWD at the Caroline Chisholm Society event this year was such an honour.

My passion and motivation for speaking to large groups is to raise awareness about the important legal changes that need to happen to support those fleeing domestic violence."

Jacinta hopes that by sharing her story, it inspires others to reach out for help and to dissipate the shame around this topic.

"United, we stand to make a change" she said. This is the importance of the ‘village’ of support that we want to nurture with our supporters.

Dr Jennifer Weber CEO

Annual Report 2023

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OUR IMPACT & OUR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES PAGE 12

Our Impact & Our Strategic Priorities In April 2023, Board Members met to review the impact and reflect on the successes while acknowledging the ongoing work in the Society’s specialisation in the First 1000 Days and early years.

Our Strategic Priorities 2021-2023 The Caroline Chisholm Society reached a milestone in 2023 in successfully reporting on the achievements to date for the Society’s 2021-2023 Strategic Plan.

The Plan was underpinned by our purpose: To support women in their pregnancy and early parenting in order to create safe and nurturing environments for infants and young children. In doing so, we work with the whole family to support secure attachment, optimise child outcomes through parenting interventions, and seek to prevent and alleviate the impact poverty, homelessness, issues with mental health and family violence have on parent and child wellbeing.

The Caroline Chisholm Society

19 Fathers received family services for early parenting issues.

Fathers typically indicated the need for assistance with attachment and interactions with young children; understanding developmentally appropriate parenting and safe ways to respond to their child's behaviour.

Fathers have tended to seek out assistance with navigating services, connecting with community; bonding, responding to baby and infant communication queues intentional and responsive interactions; understanding developmentally appropriate parenting and working on safe ways to respond to child behaviour.

Annual Report 2023

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KEY IMPACTS AND OUTCOMES 2022-2023 As we report on our strategic report and our three pillars: GOAL 1:

GOAL 2:

GOAL 3:

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Keeping Families Together Strengthen our Impact Develop and Nurture our People

The Caroline Chisholm Society

Annual Report 2023 PAGE 15

GOAL 1 – Keeping Families Together PAGE 16

Helping Families

2,200 calls

570 families supported with

single session, brief consults & home visitation services

received requesting assistance 405 families

700 families,

parenting

children, supported

confidence &

through our Every

improve their

Child program

building their

impacting 1,200

parenting style

2,600 items

30% of families

of material aid

referred for family

provided worth

services interventions

over $375,990

participated in evidence-based parenting programs

Child Protection 90 women supported who reported a history of child protection involvement as young children and now in their roles as parents

Perinatal Mental Health 70 women received direct perinatal mental health services

Mental Health 116 women

presented with mental health

Disabilities 140 women presented with disabilities including 19 with intellectual disabilities

issues impacting their parenting capacity The Caroline Chisholm Society

Family Violence

226 women reporting family violence as an issue

Housing and Homelessness

219 women

experienced housing as an issue

52 women-led households,

accompanied by 70 children, were given support from our specialist housing services

Annual Report 2023

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GOAL 2 – Strengthen our Impact

First 1000 Days

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65 pregnant women referred including 6 pregnant women at risk of child protection involvement prior to or at the time of giving birth.

490 children under the age of 5 (including more than 280

under 2) from vulnerable families requiring intensive service supports and parenting interventions

First 1000 Days and the Early Years – Shepparton 159 families received support and services accessing over 320 sessions including home visitation, outreach and single session appointments

32 families with specific complex and case work due to the risks

of child protection involvement

Integrated Family Services 13,020 sessions of integrated family services involving

over 15,600 hours of practitioner time in home visitation, brief consults and single sessions

35,000 kilometres covered across the western suburbs

of Melbourne involving 1,433 hours on the road to provide home visits, outreach and place-based programs

The Caroline Chisholm Society

Top Four Goals mothers identify when undertaking their goal setting: Mental emotional and cognitive health Physical health Safety and stability in the home Family and social support networks

Goal setting outcomes: 40% improvement

in keeping children safe and improved understanding of children’s development

32% improvement

in emotional wellbeing

24% improvement in social networks

Referrals 27% self-referrals 36% community services referrals

including family violence and police; maternal and child health services

11% hospitals 12% child protection Annual Report 2023 PAGE 19

GOAL 2 – Strengthen our Impact

Every Child Program

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11,600 hours of brief consults and single sessions with mothers

requesting material aid and short intervention needs

1,100 vulnerable children supported with

additional supports and material aid

14,898 kilograms of donated goods sorted, packed and distributed

1,730 volunteer hours, worth in excess of $60,000,

sorting, packing and distributing material aid

The Society continues to grow in reach including raising awareness of the importance in giving to and supporting families and children. In 2022/23 the Society’s social media reach included over 25,000 accounts across Facebook and Instagram.

The Caroline Chisholm Society

“Thank you for being an angel in our lives, you cannot imagine the relief that it represents.” - Client Annual Report 2023

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GOAL 3 – Develop & Nurture our People PAGE 22

Providing students with insight and understanding Over the past 5 years the Society has developed pathways for student placements and paid internships. This has been an ongoing commitment to build workforce capacity in the sector and specifically for the specialisation of the Society's First 1000 Days and the early years focus in family services.

These pathways have strengthened collaboration with teaching institutions, as well as creating meaningful paid employment opportunities. Students have been able to undertake their studies in community services and social work without experiencing further disadvantage and vulnerability.

Often, student placements involve a disruption to paid part-time and fulltime jobs, with placements requiring full-time attendance. Paid internships are creating meaningful and secure work helping students undertake practice specific placements aligned to their course and learning objectives.

One such experience has been the student internship model in Shepparton where Chloe joined the Society in 2022 after the internship.

This highlights the importance of student placements and internship opportunities as a career pathway for young practitioners.

The diversity in the role demonstrates how organisations are able to engage with students and provide them with a rich opportunity. For instance, Chloe highlights the opportunities presented in working with clients who visit onsite in accessing material aid supports and seeking additional assistance to access

resources and services. In delivering material aid and receiving donations, Chloe describes the strong community engagement in Shepparton and how important this is in how effective our work can be.

“My role during placement revolved around community engagement, managing donations and collaborating with my colleagues … during placement also marked my first experience with case management and working alongside Natalie taught me lessons about our positive impact on the lives of our clients … building client capacity and empowerment added to my learning.“ Her placement also meant being able to go on visits and outreach to learn more about case work and observing how the client grows as a family and individually, and the positive impact on their lives.

Not being too sure about her career, Chloe has experienced how her internship with the Society, while undertaking her studies, has also assisted to give her practical experience of being able to apply what she is learning, directly into her work. The guidance of her onsite supervisors has provided her with a positive experience including building her confidence and taking pride in her work. The skills she identifies having improved on include her communication skills when working directly with clients, being able to write up case notes, and confidence to engage with community members and families.

TheThe Caroline Caroline Chisholm Chisholm Society Society

“I think this time has made me realise I am working in the field that I want to, and this past 18 months of studying has helped me be in a good position. This role has been a wonderful experience as you work with everyone. You work with community, other services, volunteers and even teams down in Melbourne.

The support from the Society has been invaluable, providing me with support whenever needed.”

Student Placement and Chloe’s time has taught her so much about being an independent practitioner and her role as an advocate and managing client cases with the support of her supervisors.

“I feel very privileged to be here. I felt like I was ready to have the opportunity to do tasks on my own … There have been plenty of instances where I am unsure of what we actually can do as many of the issues are systematic (i.e. visas or childcare subsidies). It has been difficult when there are sad stories and you can get caught up emotionally, so it has been something I have needed to navigate. We are chipping away at different things to support the client so it is important to recognise the small things we are doing, which has been a big learning for me. Being faced head on with the common issues our clients face has been something difficult to navigate but it has been a big part of my placement.”

Chloe describes her placement with the Society as incredibly positive. She has enjoyed the experience of working with women and young children which she found unexpected, and particularly

being able to understand the wellbeing of young children and representing their voice has been rewarding. This work has provided her with wonderful experiences that she is excited as to where this might lead to in the future where she hopes to further work with children.

The Society’s work in Shepparton has grown in capacity due to the Goulburn Valley leadership team supported by our volunteers with over 100 years of combined experience in community and family life.

This work continues with the support of local community collaboration and has been made possible through the generous support of Westpac Community Grant.

Overall, demand for services continues to increase including the distribution of over 900 clothing and care packs, worth $72,450. Material aid sorted and packed by volunteers generously donating 1700 hours worth of time, valued at $80,000.

Annual Report 2023 PAGE 23

GOAL 3 – Develop & Nurture our People PAGE 24

Staff Engagement

A workplace culture built on mutual respect, collaboration and wellbeing.

While the COVID pandemic changed so much of how and the way in which we work, the primary focus is on taking care of our staff to ensure they are well prepared for the arduous task of working with clients to achieve their parenting goals, including building adult capabilities in parenting styles and confidence.

The Society’s annual staff engagement survey is one of the many ways in seeking out feedback from them regarding how best to meet their professional needs, getting the balance right between working directly with clients and supporting their professional and learning interests.

The annual staff engagement survey continues to be an annual feature for the Society to seek out feedback from staff with ongoing feedback to provide guidance in staff recognition opportunities.

Participation Rate 76% A participation rate of at least 70% provides reliable data and trends.

Overall Employee Engagement 83% "I am proud to work for the Society and would recommend as a great place to work."

15 survey questions had favourability scores of 95% or greater

TheThe Caroline Caroline Chisholm Chisholm Society Society

COLLABORATION "I think team culture is really positive at the Society and collaboration as a team.

Everyone is very supportive."

"Working together as a team to ensure the community is getting the best possible outcomes."

SUPPORTIVE TEAM "Good at supporting students and mentoring their learning."

"I feel extremely supported as an employee by management."

DEVELOPMENT "Great access to training opportunities, supportive team."

"Supported in my professional development."

"Supportive with career progression."

"Career opportunities, genuine interest in our success as individuals."

WELLBEING "The Society emphasises that wellbeing of staff is crucial and open communication is encouraged."

Annual Report 2023

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“I want to break the cycle…”

I always believed that I was raised in a warm and loving household and that my childhood was one of the best that anyone could have. Until I had my first child, my son. I started having flashbacks to the life I had as a child and the trauma that came with it from financial stress my family faced and abuse towards my mother that I witnessed. I forgot all of this until I had my son when I was 25 years old.

SEVAL’S STORY

My son reminded me of the needs I didn’t have met when I was a child and my steady decline into a dark place began.

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The trauma responses I developed in my childhood and adolescence made me believe that I was not a strong person on my own and that I had to be in a relationship with someone who would ‘save’ me. I let my ex-partner’s dominant personality dictate what we did financially. He was once my best friend and someone who I thought I could trust. I soon found myself having signed loan agreements I did not feel comfortable with, allowing access to my bank accounts and being kept out of financial decisions which had my name attached to it. A few times I brought it up and even cried about wanting to go back to work because I found myself not being able to afford simple things like nappies and groceries.

Four weeks after my daughter was born when I was 28 and the pressure of life and motherhood just got worse.

I felt myself going to a dark place again. Finances became an issue bigger than we could resolve and

when I asked why we didn’t have any money I would be met with general responses like ‘things are going to get better’. They didn’t get better.

I attempted suicide for the third time in my life and had to check myself into a psychiatric ward in July 2022. I had an abundant amount of debt under my name and I was not coping as a mother. I felt like the world swallowed me up and for five days I laid in a hospital bed paralysed with anxiety.

After my hospital stay, I was referred to the Caroline Chisholm Society via Child First. I had never heard of them before, but I would soon find out that they would be a crucial part of my recovery.

Jess from Caroline Chisholm Society is my social worker and in every sense my guardian angel.

I would see Jess once a week as I was staying at my brother's home with my two children. She came in not knowing what she would find on the other side of the door.

The first thing Jess gave me was courage. I watched her come into a home she knew nothing about and radiate her warm energy, ready to nurture this wounded mother she had just met.

The second thing Jess gave me was an end to my maternal loneliness.

She would come in and ask what I needed for the children. Nappies, clothes, shoes, blankets, second hand goods, vouchers to entertain the kids, and really anything that would make

The Caroline Chisholm Society

it easier for me to cope with my children’s needs.

The third thing Jess gave me was a fresh start. How many people do you know in your life could be able to, or even would give you a new beginning? A way to live the life you want for yourself and your little ones.

The worst part about my mental health breakdown was that I always thought that I will never survive this and so there was no point in trying to even breathe anymore.

I found a private rental to move out with my children and she helped me access the Family Violence Support Package where I was able to furnish my new home with items of necessity.

I am alive today and actually feel like I am living, not just existing, because of the supports given to me by Caroline Chisholm Society.

In the space of seven months I went from feeling suicidal in an acute adult inpatient psychiatric unit to now living in my own rental with my children - a happy mother ready to take on the world and protect her cubs.

My two young children definitely felt affected by everything that happened.

The importance of the services given to me and my kids in the early stages of their lives has given me the tools I need to cope with them as a single mum, when they have their moments.

I hug my children without waiting for a reason to hug them. I tell them how much I love them every single day and try to keep a smile on my face so that they know they are enough for me.

Annual Report 2023 PAGE 27

The Transformation.

After suffering from domestic violence, being affected physically, verbally and psychologically, Child Protection Services have referred me to Caroline Chisholm Society.

LOREDANA'S STORY

I was in an abusive relationship where due to disagreements or not performing tasks as directed by the ex-partner would lead to violent occasions. Both Zac, my son, and I were affected daily where one day I decided enough is enough and Zac and I walked away from this relationship.

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I realised that I needed to walk away and speak out for the safety of myself and my son.

Zac was just a year old when this was all happening. When I first came into contact with Caroline Chisholm Society I felt like an angel was finally looking over us, giving me a high sense of protection, special guidance for self-healing to continue to grow.

They have empowered me to rise and believe in myself again. They encouraged me to be the strong and confident mother and successful career woman that I am today. They motivated me, giving me enormous support, even giving me advice on my rights and responsibilities after domestic violence, and provided education on the first signs of domestic violence for future prevention.

The situation definitely affected Zac as well.

As he was witnessing the abuse, he would often wake up in the middle of the night seeming very frightened and it would take a long time to settle him. He was having unexplained crying bouts during the day, would not eat at times and often looked pale and would dissociate from others.

The Caroline Chisholm Society

Fortunately, Caroline Chisholm Society, through their educational and support techniques, helped me raise awareness of these causes by providing awareness on how domestic violence affected babies and young children.

They ensured that I was now residing in a safe place, that I had all my immediate utilities available, that safety plans were put into place for our protection and advice in future prevention of these situations.

My case worker at Caroline Chisholm Society through her contacts with me and my son whether it be by telephone or home visits, made me always feel at ease and comfortable to speak to. I cooperated very closely with my case worker and step by step I was feeling better, such as no more brain fogs, confusion and less emotional every week to the point where I then realised, I was ready to start a career.

As a result, my kids are now always smiling.

They are happy and healthy. This has given me the strength to live safely and carry on independently with my kids. My daughter, now being 18, is doing very well academically as it has always been her dream to fulfil, and my son Zac, aged 2, is a bubbly, healthy and happy toddler who is very eager to play and learn without the nightmares.

A woman has within her the power to create, nurture, and transform. The full circle. A huge thanks to the Society and the community of people for helping me alter my journey and feel safe again.

Annual Report 2023 PAGE 29

Treasurer’s Report

TREASURER’S REPORT

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I wish to present the audited financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2023. The full set of audited financial statements can be found on our website at www.caroline.org.au.

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The Society’s total revenue was approximately $3.2M. The revenue from service contracts with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) totalled approximately $2.4M. These contracts support our work by allowing us to deliver specialised services for mothers and families in Brimbank, Melton and Western Melbourne.

Local government, corporate partners, philanthropic organisations and individual donors also generously financially fund our work. I wish to again acknowledge a significant grant from Westpac’s Safe Children, Safer Communities. The grant which commenced last year totals $600,000 over three years and is key funding for our work in the Goulburn Valley area.

Other grants, donations and the work of our volunteers enable us to provide additional services over and above the contracted services with DFFH. This includes programs to support women in their pregnancy and early parenting where poverty, homelessness, mental health and social isolation are common issues as well as material aid to help those in need. The key geographic locations that this funding supports

are Brimbank, Melton, Western Melbourne and the Goulburn Valley area but we do support women and families with young children who come to us for support from any location wherever we can.

Our financial position is sound.

The Society’s net assets are approximately $4.7 million. We own outright our properties at 977 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon and 1 Darebin Place, Caroline Springs which were recently valued at approximately $3M and we hold investments of approximately $1.5M in bank term deposits which provides a solid footing for the Society.

Thank you to all those who financially support us and to those that give up their valuable time to support our work.

I also wish to thank the Finance Committee and the Society’s CEO, Jennifer Weber and Corporate Services Officer, Michelle Anderson for your support during the year, particularly while we made changes to our accounting provider and software to enhance our financial reporting capabilities.

Stephen Mullins Treasurer

The Caroline Chisholm Society

“You are truly fantastic I cannot express to you the comfort and safety I feel even just on the phone with you, almost like an emotional security bounce, like the tough guards at the door at clubs. So secure!” - Client Annual Report 2023

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OUR HEARTFELT THANKS TO YOU. PAGE 32

Our Heartfelt thanks to YOU. Acknowledging our Volunteers and Supporters.

The Society takes great pride in the tradition and heritage of volunteering – it was as a volunteer organisation the Society developed into the professional organisation it is today.

Volunteering continues to be a vital part of our work, providing material aid in donations, sorting and packing as well as outreach to families across Victoria.

Stef has been volunteering with the Society since 2018, and sewing is a huge passion since she was a child, having been taught to sew by her mum.

A great believer in sustainability, Stef sources left over fabrics to repurpose into children’s clothing, imagining the children who receive hand made clothing take some pleasure out of a special outfit.

In 2023 Stef took the initiative to help the Society in its quest for more sustainable options to package material aid in our Every Child Program. Over the years efforts have been made to reduce the need for plastic storage bags and source sustainable storage products which has proved very challenging.

After considering a number of options including facilitated workshops to gather ideas from volunteers, Stef’s new design for material aid bags has incorporated suggestions to develop a functional prototype currently being rolled out across the Organisation.

Along with her team of volunteers, and through the generous donations from community, our Every Child Program bags contributes to the sustainability for distributing much needed clothing and care packs across the community.

The Caroline Chisholm Society

“For me, working in a collaborative team is so important when providing a wraparound support system, which contributes to positive changes in our clients’ lives and their children”.

- Practitioner “Helping a long term client overcome health anxiety and panic attacks was one of the most rewarding outcomes for me.

I think building a relationship and providing consistent support made all the difference”. Practitioner Annual Report 2023

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Our Supporters

OUR SUPPORTERS

It truly takes a village to provide the very best support, care and services for mothers and children. Our village is made up of individuals, businesses, organisations and government. Without you we would not be celebrating 50 years of Caroline Chisholm Society. With you we are able to ensure every mother matters and every child counts. We thank each and every one of you for your generous and compassionate support.

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The Caroline Chisholm Society

"Amidst the transformative perinatal period, our focus on emotional well-being safeguards the sanctity of family connections, fostering a future enriched by positivity." - Staff

Annual Report 2023

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Thank you for supporting Caroline Chisholm Society carolinechisholmsociety carolinechisholmsociety To keep in contact and up to date with latest news scan the QR code.

T: 1800 134 863 E: secretary@caroline.org.au W: www.caroline.org.au A: 977 Mt Alexander Road, Essendon 3040 1 Darebin Place, Caroline Springs 3023 15A St Andrews Road, Shepparton 3630