Our Vision
region.
Our Mission
We walk together with people impacted by homelessness and domestic and family violence. We provide support to improve their skills, well-being and safety. We use a feminist framework to advocate for social change in the broader community.
SEWACS Budjangal Values
We believe in….
Being an open, welcoming and trusted place
Feminism guiding our work
Everyone’s fundamental right to safety and security
Owning and being honest about what we do and why we do it.
Our Approach
Collaborative practice
Trauma informed
Strength based
Crisis intervention
Meet Our Team
Our staff acknowledges the huge commitment and expertise that members bring to the organisation. Our robust board enables us to uphold our culture of social and community understanding through its feminist values. We thank you all greatly for your contribution.
Board of Management
Brianna Van Leeuwen
Chairperson
Ruth Fenwick
Vice Chair
Robyn Jamieson
Treasurer
Marjorie McKnight
Board Member
Andrea Powell
Secretary
Angelique McKechnie
Board Member
Australian Service Excellence Standards Accreditation (ASES)
The audit process served to highlight our strengths and commitment to providing quality services to our clients while maintaining a very high standard of professionalism.
Our Latest Annual Reports
Thank you to our funders and partners
History
In the early 1980’s a group of women in the Bega Valley met to identify the needs of women creating the origins of our organisation. They highlighted the need for a safe place to stay when leaving violence, a resource centre, a child care centre, medium term housing and help with women’s health issues.
We have now grown to support the needs of women and men across two shires.
1988
The Bega Women’s Refuge (BWR) began operating
1990
Became an independently incorporated entity
2004
Successfully funded to run the pilot program for Staying Home Leaving Violence
2005
BWR expanded to include ten transitional housing properties in Bega
2008
Changed its name to South East Women and Children’s Services (SEWACS) and expanded into Eden
2014
Funding changed and SEWACS lost its refuge after 25 years. Gained The Eurobodalla and the Youth Homelessness Support Service.
2020
Awarded the “Transformation and Reinvention – Whole Organisation” by peak organisation Community Industry Group
2021
Over 450K grants confirmed to provide critical support and expand our programs
2021
Staying Home Leaving Violence was expanded into Southern Eurobodalla
2022
ASES accredited
2022
Entered partnership with The Family Place to run homelessness outreach for bushfire impacted communities in NSW
2022
Staying Home Leaving Violence was expanded into Northern Eurobodalla and to Bomballa in the Snowy Mountains.