Community stories
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Connecting women with housing and community
At YWCA Canberra, we believe that safe, affordable and secure housing is a fundamental human right. That’s why we have been providing housing services to women and families in need in the ACT for 80 years. We know our services have improved many lives, but rather than us talking about them, we want our client’s voices to…
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Calling Canberra Women with “Great Ydeas”
YWCA Canberra and its partners are once again supporting women and girls in the Canberra region to bring their dreams to life through the Great Ydeas Small Grants Program, with applications opening this week. With the support of business and philanthropic partnerships, this year’s grants program will offer a pool of $16,000 in funding for…
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One Year of Next Door: Cheryls’s Story
For the first anniversary of our Next Door program, we wanted our client’s voices to be heard. This is Cheryl’s* story. When I was referred to YWCA Canberra’s Next Door program, it’s no stretch to say it was a life-changing moment. As a homeless mature-age woman, I’d held onto the last shred of my dignity by housesitting…
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One Year of Next Door: Helen’s Story
For the first anniversary of our Next Door program, we wanted our client’s voices to be heard. This is Helen’s* story. I was pretty desperate before I encountered Next Door. I had been living with my ex-partner for around three years. It was toxic, but I didn’t have the resources to move out, either emotionally or financially.…
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One Year of Next Door: Wendy’s Story
For the first anniversary of our Next Door program, we wanted our client’s voices to be heard. This is Wendy’s* story. I was in a pretty bad situation before Next Door. I had moved to Canberra after six years of caring for my daughter with disabilities in WA. I had gotten her set up in her own…
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One Year of Next Door: Lynette’s Story
For the first anniversary of our Next Door program, we wanted our client’s voices to be heard. This is Lynette’s* story. For you, the reader, to understand how amazing the Next Door Program and appreciate how amazing the staff has been to me and the many women they have helped, I need to share with you, just…
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One Year of Next Door: Mary’s Story
For the first anniversary of our Next Door program, we wanted our client’s voices to be heard. This is Mary’s* story. A few years ago, I decided to lodge an application for public housing because one by one my children are leaving Canberra for a better job: one to Melbourne, another to Sydney. My youngest also decided…
