Brisbane-based organisation that supports women and children escaping domestic and family violence an almost $300,000 funding boost.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Beyond DV would receive the boost as part of Council’s Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program.

“As we’ve seen in the wake of the Hannah Clarke tragedy, the protection of women and children in distressing home environments is an absolute priority and supporting women to exit these situations is essential for their safety and wellbeing,” Cr Schrinner said.

“In addition to helping Brisbane residents remove themselves from domestic violence, Beyond DV’s  Pathways to Hope project provides certification training, financial counselling and goal setting, peer support groups and has employment links with local cleaning companies, hairdressers and hospitality businesses.

“I’m pleased to announce Beyond DV will receive $289,545 in additional funding from our Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program across the 2020-21 and 2021-22 financial years to extend their positive work.

“This is in addition to the $102,696 we awarded them as recipients of the 2019 Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program.”

Beyond DV has engaged with 135 women during the 11 months it’s been running the Pathways to Hope project, with 91 of those women participating in the program.

 Founder and Managing Director of Beyond DV Carolyn Robinson said the additional funding will be used to establish a second centre in Brisbane which will allow Beyond DV to continue making contact with women caught in crisis.

“One of our big-picture goals was to establish another centre on the northside, because we know there are a lot of women who’ve experienced domestic violence and who desperately want to access our services but can’t due to travel and other limitations,” Ms Robinson said.

“This additional funding means we’re now able to make that dream a reality.

“Having a second centre is going to give us huge scope to be able to expand our services across Brisbane, to link in with other support agencies and ultimately help even more women to gain financial independence, feel supported and be empowered.

“The work Beyond DV does is all about rebuilding hope, rebuilding lives and helping the families we work with to see their potential and to achieve it.”

The Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program was introduced in August 2019 to provide $1 million per annum over three years to support new, innovative and sustainable solutions to address homelessness in the Brisbane Local Government Area.

For more information visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au or call Council on 07 3403 8888.