By CASEY NEILL
DANDENONG businesswomen supported families in crisis with a networking night.
The Maurice Blackburn’s Women’s Network on Wednesday 30 September hosted Dandenong Unites at Ginger Jones in Dandenong.
The focus was on homelessness and domestic violence and the guest speaker was Dione Healey from Launch Housing, formerly known as Hanover.
Attendees donated backpacks, books and thongs for Launch Housing to distribute to people in need.
The organisation’s deputy CEO Heather Holst said thongs were a very practical donation for those in need of a shower.
“There’s a public shower that’s at our service in Dandenong – I think it might be the only public shower in Dandenong,” she said.
Ms Holst said the books were important for children who often carried only the bare essentials.
“It’s really important for children to have access to books and for their parents to read to them as well,” she said.
“It’s an enjoyable, calming, connecting sort of thing to do.”
After 52 years as Hanover, the charity merged with Home Ground Services on 1 July and formed Launch Housing.
“We’re able to offer a wider range of services over a wider area,” Ms Holst said.
Maurice Blackburn Dandenong office manager Emily Anderson said the Dandenong Unites event was about bringing together women in the Dandenong community who were passionate about social justice and advancing the rights of women.
“Unfortunately family violence is a problem affecting communities around Australia, including right here in the Dandenong region,” she said.
“We hope the items donated today will help women and children experiencing family violence navigate through a very difficult time in their lives.”
