Refuge appeals for funds

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 546, 26 July 1994, Page 13

Refuge appeals for funds

The washing machine breaks down and floods the laundry. The van wouldn't start yesterday and is out of action for three days being repaired. The coordinator has to use her car to get the women to their appointments and everyone has got or is coming down with the flu in the house, and one advocate is off work. Repairs to the van will cost $500 - money that was to be used for the childrens ' play area and the washing machine. The repairman says two years of constant use has worn out the washing machine, and it' s not worth repairing. The options: HP, find a sponsor, or do without until we can come up with the money. There is nothing out of the ordinary with these events, it's just another week in refuge, where a few extra things going "wrong" can add mightily to the stress levels. And for many refuge workers, this is another case of having to dip into their own personal resources to keep refuges going. This week, 26 July to 2 August is the New Zealand Women' s Refuge Foundation's annual appeal. A recent analysis of running costs showed that the average refuge costs

$65,862 a year to run - that' s a total cost of nearly $4,000,000 a year. This doesn' t include the cost of the other services such as counselling, education programmes, involvement in family violence intervention programmes and the recently established children' s programme aimed at breaking the cycle of violence. 'There is an increasing need to go to the community and say "We need your $20", said Women' s Refuge Foundation Executive Director, Wendy Slieker. "Individual donors are the people who loyally support the on-going expenses". "If a refuge needs to replace furniture or get a new washing machine - equipment vital to keep the place going - they have to find money for it. There' s no funding available from Social Welfare or other sources for that sort of thing". For information on how to make a donation, phone 0800 809060, or write to Box 10-111, Wellington.