Aiming to provide a safe haven

A nationwide gold coin appeal will be launched in Queenstown tomorrow night, aiming to raise enough money to establish Haven Trust's first self-sustaining business to support families leaving situations of domestic violence.

Trustee Susan Cheer said the charitable trust would provide a safe and supportive temporary home for women and their children who had chosen to leave abusive homes, along with ''market value work''.

Ultimately, the trust hoped to establish six homes and businesses throughout New Zealand with no reliance on Government grants or funding.

Co-founder Ailey Ong left a violent family home with her three children with ''nothing'' and, having re-established herself, wanted to help others in the same situation.

''Haven Trust is something practical I can do to provide a better future for other families leaving violent homes so the cycle is broken and adults can regain their sense of self-worth and children can grow strong in a safe environment.

''It's very tiring when you have to fight on a daily basis just to live and be safe.

''By telling my story and by setting up Haven Trust, maybe I can show others that there is another way to recover our lives - one that is based on empowerment, self-reliance and regaining self-worth.

''I want to provide a situation where families can find a home where they can breathe and contribute to their own existence so that they don't have to worry about where they will live and where money will come from.''

Ms Cheer said the trust would be launched in Queenstown, providing accommodation and, separately, a business for women to work in.

That business would probably take the form of hospitality, with women able to learn skills which would enable them to eventually seek employment elsewhere.

Haven Trust would own the accommodation. However, families would have the choice to enter a rent-to-buy scheme, she said.

Any profit earned by the trust would be reinvested to establish safe homes and diversified businesses in Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Taupo and Auckland.

It was likely ''cafe-type'' businesses would be established in Wellington and Auckland, with the possibility of an organic farming orchard in Nelson and a catering company in Christchurch.

The goal was for each to be self-sustaining and profitable.

''Haven Trust will help to make the transition from domestic violence to independence a reality for many families that have nowhere else to go, but who are determined to make a better life for themselves,'' Ms Cheer said.

Ms Ong said while she and her children left their violent past, they also left their home and their income.

''My focus was on essential needs - food, shelter and where I could earn the money to afford the basics of daily living.

''I thought about these every day, every hour.

''Haven Trust provides security and a practical way forwards so that parents don't have to worry about daily survival.''

The appeal will be launched at a special function in Queenstown tomorrow night.

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement