The much-loved SAHSSI 30 fundraising walk is on again on 14 August along the beautiful Jervis Bay coastline to raise much needed funds for SAHSSI's Shoalhaven women's refuge.
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This popular community event is in its fourth year and aims to raise awareness for women's homelessness and domestic violence in the Shoalhaven.
Manager of SAHSSI Shoalhaven Services Lesley Labka said the power of the fundraising event was its ability to start conversations - in the workplace and at home - about homelessness and domestic violence in the Shoalhaven.
It's a 30km round trip around the bay but walkers may wish to finish at the 15km halfway point at the Iluka Picnic Area where a Country Women's Association morning tea will be set up with cakes, slices and tea.
Anyone can get involved
"It's not a triathlon, it's not a major sporting event and the majority of people walk it," said Mrs Labka.
"And honestly, if I can do it, then anyone can."
Born out of one person's vision
SAHSSI 30 is a community-driven event that has grown out of one person's vision to make a positive change for women and children in her local community. That vision has developed into an annual walk, which has been supported by over 150 participants and raised over $35,000 for SAHSSI Shoalhaven to date.
SAHSSI 30 event organiser and community volunteer, Joanne Warren was pleased to get the event off the ground after it was cancelled last year due to COVID-19.
"It was such a shame to have to cancel SAHSSI 30 in 2020, but we are ready and excited for the 2021 walk and hope we can raise $10,000 for the SAHSSI Shoalhaven women's refuge.
"Too many women in the Shoalhaven face homelessness, many due to domestic and family violence. As a community, the SAHSSI 30 event is a wonderful opportunity for us to join our voices together and to say NO to domestic and family violence in the Shoalhaven," said Mrs Warren.
Where the money goes
The walk raises vital funds for women in the refuge who often have to start from scratch after fleeing family and domestic violence.
"We have to help these women start again so that means fridges, washing machines, vouchers for clothing, beds and sometimes security equipment," said Ms Labka.
Fundraising events like this one are important because the organisation's normal funding streams go to case management and staff wages alone - everything else, including what women in the refuge might need, comes from donations.
Read more: SAHSSI 30 Walk 2018
Domestic violence and women's homelessness a growing concern
SAHSSI Shoalhaven Services look after women's homelessness and is a special Domestic Violence support service. They work with single women 16 years and older and women with children who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless because of domestic violence or other life crises.
"We also look after the homeless hub which is a walk in centre for anyone - male, female or children who are homeless and need a feed, shower or need to use our laundry facilities or computer," she said.
"Or they might just need help as we also have a family and domestic violence councillor on board."
Originally just Ms Labka, five case workers and a six bedroom refuge - it has now expanded with another nine bedrooms on top and an additional seven caseworkers.
"We're always looking for ways to address these issues and that does cause us to grow but never enough to meet the demand I'm afraid," she said.
"Presently we have about 40 women waiting on refuge accommodation and we have a further 23 who we can't even provide an outreach case management support service for.
"And that's on top of all the case workers who are carrying full case loads."
She said it was important for women in the refuge to be supported by the community through this event.
"I think it's important for women who have experienced isolation or abuse or homelessness to not feel like it's their fault and to understand that the community supports them and that the community is prepared to put in effort to assist them in the way that they can - I think there's dignity in that."
How to get involved
This year there is no entry fee although walkers are encouraged to donate what they can when they register on the SAHSSI website at www.sahssi.org.au/sahssi30/
Alternatively, walkers may wish to set up a fundraising campaign for SAHSSI via justgiving where they can encourage their friends or family to donate in order to reach the event's $10,000 target.
