Windermere looks to better lives

WINDERMERE has launched its Inspire a Better Life tax appeal to help victims of domestic violence.
The appeal focuses on the alarming increase in the number of reported cases of family violence and how, with the support of Windermere’s services, lives can be changed for the better, free of fear and free of violence.
This year’s appeal features Adele, heavily pregnant, her children and her mother, who arrived at Windermere one Thursday morning with nothing.
Adele had already taken the first step and found alternative housing for her and her family due to her ex-partner’s escalating violence toward all of them accompanied by death threats. Unfortunately he found out where they were living and that one of the children had been speaking with a school counsellor. He repeatedly broke into their new home and finally threatened to kill his eldest child if they ever went to school again.
Windermere was able to provide secure, untraceable accommodation and the support Adele needed to attend to the immediate needs of her family.
Windermere CEO Dr Lynette Buoy said Adele’s story was not an isolated one.
“We’ve chosen to highlight Adele’s story this year as an act of family violence is committed almost every two and half hours in Casey, Cardinia, Latrobe and Baw Baw shires and at least one third of these incidences will be witnessed by a child,” she said.
“The community play such an important part in stemming the tide of family violence. By making a tax deductible gift we can help more families realise their dream of living a life without fear. Donations from the community really do inspire others to do more than just
dream about a better life”.
Donations can be made online at www.windermere.org.au or by calling 9705 3200.