Come and yarn with GEGAC Family Violence Outreach Workers Kaylene Schrader and Freya King at “Eat, Yarn, Heal” on Tuesday November 26.
GEGAC is hosting a community luncheon later this month that it hopes will bring together all the diverse groups of people committed to ending family violence in our community.
“Empowering Voices – Eat, Yarn, Heal” will be held at GEGAC from 12 – 3pm on Tuesday, November 26.
There will be a roast lunch, merchandise, fun family activities including a jumping castle and lawn games, and arts and crafts workshops.
But, most importantly, this event provides the opportunity to yarn with community members and family violence professionals face to face.
If you are interested in coming and want to know more about the event, call Freya King, GEGAC Family Violence Outreach Worker, on 5150 0700 or email freya.king@gegac.org.au
“It’s no secret that family violence is impacting a lot of our community,” Freya says.
“There is not enough education around family violence, or about all the different ways that family violence can be inflicted. I also don’t think people are aware of all the support that is available.”
“That’s our goal for this event – for people who may be experiencing family violence to know that there are heaps of supports for them.”
“You don’t have to go through it alone. We want people to know they are supported through their journey, so that when they’re ready, they can begin healing.”
Freya said Empowering Voices – Eat, Yarn, Heal will be a safe, welcoming space for people to come and be able to speak face to face with service providers, and with other people that have been impacted by family violence.
Community members, family violence survivors and their families, local leaders, service providers, and stakeholders involved in family violence prevention and support are all welcome and encouraged to attend.
GEGAC Family Violence Outreach Worker Kaylene Schrader said Eat, Yarn, Heal was a no-shame, no-judgement space where everyone who needed support, information or just to yarn would be welcomed.
“We want to unite and empower our community,” Kaylene said.
“That means raising awareness, and fostering support for those affected by family violence, and also for those that may have not identified that they are affected by family violence. We want all people to come along and feel comfortable.”
“Plus, who doesn’t love a feed with friends and family?”
“Empowering Voices – Eat, Yarn, Heal” is part of the 16 Days of Activism campaign against gender-based violence.
The Walk to Change the Story march will not take place this year, and so Freya is hoping that Eat, Yarn, Heal can build upon the energy and enthusiasm for change generated by last year’s march.
“We have seen from Walk to Change the Story in the past years that the groundswell against family violence in community is building and building,” Freya said. “People have had enough, women and children have had enough. All of us working in this space need to keep collaborating, keep supporting each other, so we can provide help for those that need it the most.”