This YWCA has a strong suite of women's empowerment programs, particularly focusing on domestic violence.

Carolyn's House is a historic building that used to serve as accommodation quarters for trainee nurses.  The YWCA sourced a variety of funding sources to assist its renovation into 19 apartments, ranging from studio apartments to three bedroom apartments.  In addition to the accommodation provided, women accessing this housing are required to participate in a structured program that focuses on life skills, parenting skills and a range of other skills development activities.  This also serves as the home to the organisation's catering company, that has recently commenced.  They have recently won the contract to provide services to a local airport and the intention is that residents from Carolyn's House are provided the opportunity to work in this company.  We were able to visit the airport and see the set up there.

We also saw the 9 bed refuge provided by the YWCA (one of two in the region) and transitional accommodation service provided.  We met people in the office, and visit the childcare and preschool programs, where we showed the children where we had come from - a long way away!  

In addition, we visited a very interesting school age care program that provides supervised activities for children aged 12 to 14.  This is a program funded by government grants, and provides secruity for working parents worried about their children's whereabouts at a crucial age group.  We will be interested to explore this model with other YWCAs when we return to Australia.

It was an extremely busy work day, but we did have some fun too.  Most excitingly we took the time to go to Canada! (5 minutes away) to visit Niagara Falls.  It was a very amazing place, and the falls are quite spectacular.  We will post photos soon.

Tonight we are attending an official reception for us, where we will have the opportunity to meet with YWCA members from around the region, and will provide some information about the YWCA in Australia, and highlight the work of the YWCA of Canberra