For many families across Queensland, this is a time of resolutions, return to work and school and reminiscing of the summer holidays gone by. Houses will soon be cluttered with after-school paraphernalia, laundry baskets filled with uniforms and the cycle of children’s clutter and chaos will begin for another school term.

However, for families in refuge from domestic violence, these taken-for-granted rites of passage are but a dream. Women and children in refuges across Queensland wait (often for long periods), for government assistance to move safely into their own homes and often even when relocated, they have little or nothing to start their new lives.

Two local Gold Coast City working Mums recognised this gap and have been working to bridge it, establishing in 2012 a community-based volunteer organisation Assista Sista to help survivors of domestic violence rebuild and repair for a new and safe future.

Gold Coasters Manuela and Nicolle were inspired to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence survivors after informally assisting a friend of a friend to flee from her violent husband and relocate to Gold Coast City four years ago by calling on friends and family to donate items to enable this family to move into a comfortable new home with all the necessities.

According to Nicolle, creating this very first “haven” for that family in need was the catalyst that drove these two motivated Mum’s to provide ongoing support to survivors of domestic violence and from it, Assista Sista was born.

Assista Sista has continually grown and expanded since that very first haven in 2012 and their latest initiative, Assist 2 Learn, focuses on kids returning to school.

“The Assist 2 Learn program provides every child who enters refuge the chance to attend their new school with new uniforms, backpack, stationery and shoes, as well as provide money for excursions, camps and extra-curricular activities,” Nicolle said.

“We want to ensure that these children stand out for the right reasons. Most of the time, the children are placed in refuge and have to start a new school and the funds are nearly always limited for these families, so the children will be starting school with whatever uniform is available from the sick bay or lost property.”

“They almost always will miss out on the programs that require payment such as mathletics and reading eggs. This simply isn’t good enough for this child – we want to empower them and provide that security.”

“Our promise is that every child who enters refuge will have the chance to join Assist 2 Learn and attend school with confidence” Nicolle said.

For more information about the Assist 2 Learn program, visit Assista Sista Assist 2 Learn

Assista Sista support families affected by domestic violence by providing refuges with immediate crisis support, including emergency care packs and supplies, as well as providing specific “wish list” items for families.

In addition, Assista Sista create “Assista Havens” for the families that have exited refuge and are entering their new, safe homes. “Assista Havens” are the bridge for the gap in services, which often see families who have very little moving into completely bare houses. Assist a Sista call on the community to donate a list of items specific to each haven and completely fit out the home with all necessary furniture, beds, linen, kitchenware, locks, appliances and more.

Anonymity is crucial for families that have fled domestic violence and Assist a Sista has built relationships with refuges, domestic violence support workers and the community and the team doesn’t meet the families they assist under any circumstances.

Over the last two years, the Assista Sista facebook page has grown to over 30,000 people and the Assist a Sista team have created more than 150 havens. According to Nicolle, the system and procedures have been finetuned and the database now boasts more than 250 volunteers.

“Women are amazingly resourceful and when you put us all together in an appositive environment, there is nothing we cannot achieve” Nicolle said.

“We create approximately 4 havens per week across South East Queensland, including Gold Coast City. This would not be possibly without the incredible support of the community” Nicolle said.

When help is needed, Assista Sista take to social media to create havens and provide immediate crisis support. A call out is posted on the Assista Sista Facebook page with specific requirements and instructions for donation.

“We always supply each haven with new pillows, quilt cover inserts, toasters and kettles so we ask our supporters to pick these items up when they are on special or whenever they can spare, then follow us on Facebook to donate to families in need when required” Nicolle said.

In alarming statistics, domestic violence affects 1 in 3 Australians and one women per week is killed by her partner or former partner nationally. Assista Sista’s immediate goal is to drive awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence in our community, as well as supporting the survivors of domestic violence.

“As a community, we all need to get our inner activist on to help these brave families by shifting the shame and stigma of domestic and family violence. Victims of domestic violence should not feel ashamed – it is the perpetrators who should feel the full extent of shame” Nicolle said.

“Intrinsically domestic violence has a culture of secrecy about it – we don’t talk about it, we don’t report it, which makes it even more shameful for the women to leave. There is no way we are going to get rid of it until we can start talking about it.”

The key message for Assista Sista for 2015 is to “shift the shame” – encouraging the community to rise up and communicate our intolerance for domestic violence.

“We want the men of Australia to rise up and announce that domestic violence is not acceptable.” Nicolle said.

“We have a great, strong patron in Rove McManus and he will continue his work on encouraging men to call their peers on their actions.”

“The perpetrators who administer this horrendous violence on women (physical, emotional or mental) need to be called on their actions and realise that their behaviour is not acceptable. The women should not feel embarrassed or humiliated – they need to be empowered to leave their situation and know that the support is available.”

“We are celebrating amazing women and equally amazing men – there are also many wonderful men who support Assista Sista. We salute the good men in our community” Nicole said.

To get involved and support Assista Sista, like their Facebook page and share with your friends.

Support the children from refuge through the Back 2 School drive by emailing assist2learn@assistasista.com.au

For all the Assista Sista details, visit their website