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HOPE 4 Life

Published: 
2 December 2020 11:39AM

Not-for-profit organisation Beyond DV is using the Queensland Government’s Dignity First Fund to make a difference for people facing homelessness because of domestic and family violence.

Beyond DV received funding through the fourth round of the Fund to run the ‘HOPE 4 Life’ program in Brisbane, helping young people with life skills.

The Dignity First Fund awards $2.5 million every year to community organisations helping people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

“Our whole organisation is built on the notion of hope,” says Carolyn, founder and managing director of Beyond DV.

“We focus on rebuilding the lives of women and children who have been impacted by domestic and family violence.

“We’ve been very grateful to receive funding from the Dignity First Fund—it’s enabled us to run a program for 50 children this year.”

Lou: There is one woman every 8 days who are dying from domestic violence, you just can’t let it keep happening.

Carolyn: Our whole organisation is built on the notion of hope.

Carolyn: We were extremely grateful to receive funding this year through the Dignity First Fund. For us to be able to support so many more children and families has just been incredible.

Lou: My name is Lou and I am a dance drama teacher. I have been volunteering my time helping ladies rebuild their life after experiencing DV and today I’m going to do my first workshop with the kids doing drama.

Tom: My name’s Tom. I’m here as a soccer coach as part of the program for Beyond DV. The activity that I run is a soccer program for all of the kids just to get out there and be active. For me to be able to come in and help these children to build confidence and to grow as people it’s absolutely massive.

Allan: My name is Allan, and I’m volunteering with Beyond DV today. For me this program is really close to my heart because I came from a domestic violence situation. I feel I can give back and help the next generation of kids get the best chance at leading normal, healthy lives.

Lou: It’s that stepping stone of having gone through something so horrible and they’re coming out at the other end and this program brings them back and they find their true identity again and I just think you couldn’t wish for anything more than that.

Allan is a youth mentor with HOPE 4 Life and says the program has special meaning for him.

“This program is really close to my heart because I came from a domestic violence situation,” he says.

“I feel I can give back and help the next generation of kids get the best chance to live normal, healthy lives.”

Lou is a volunteer dance and drama coach and says the volunteers aim to make the young participants have fun, laugh and make new friends.

“I’ve been volunteering my time helping ladies rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic violence,” she says.

“I think domestic violence survivors need to tap into something, especially if they’ve gone through grief.

“It’s that stepping-stone of having gone through something so horrible, and coming out at the other end of this program brings them back and they find their true identity again.”

The program teaches young people how to cope with stressful moments in life.

“For me to be able to come in and help these children, to build confidence and to grow as people, is absolutely massive,” says Tom, a soccer coach with the program.

“Sport helps kids by putting them out of their comfort zone. They’ve got to make different decisions, and it’s fantastic for their way of thinking.”

If you need help or support, or this story has raised issues for you, call the Domestic Violence Helpline on 1800 811 811.

Learn more about the Dignity First Fund and how it’s helping Queenslanders experiencing or at risk of homelessness.