Chores for a Cause: High school students raise funds & awareness for women's shelters

Chores for a Cause: High school students raise funds & awareness for women’s shelters

chores

A new fundraising campaign to build young people’s awareness of domestic violence and women’s homelessness has kicked off this month, with children and teenagers encouraged to complete chores in exchange for money that they can donate a local women’s shelter.

Chores for a Cause is an initiative from Women’s Community Shelters and is running for the entire month of September. Women’s Community Shelters currently support 100 women and children through seven shelters across New South Wales.

CEO of Women’s Community Shelters Annabelle Daniel says the charity organisation has seen significant numbers of their potential fundraising events cancelled for the foreseeable future due to the pandemic.

“Charities are often the very first responders to the vulnerable, the isolated and the homeless who are at particular risk right now during this pandemic,” she said.

“Innovative, positive campaigns like this one have the potential to not only help our sector raise much needed funds, but to provide a sense of hope.” 

Year 10 students at all-boys school, St Dominic’s College in Penrith, are one cohort taking part in Chores for a Cause. The students are currently undertaking extra chores, and are being sponsored for doing so. All funds raised will be donated to The Haven, a local women’s shelter in Penrith. The school is hoping to raise $2000 dollars for The Haven, as well as engage their male students in thinking about domestic violence and women’s homelessness.

16-year-old Reegan, who is taking part in the initiative said, “I really want to help promote a safe environment for local women, instead of just talking about it.”

Cameron, also from St Dominic’s, said, “I want to look after women that aren’t treated well by their partners. I want to be a better man.”

Chores for a Cause comes as the COVID-19 crisis has exacerbated the already existing emergency of domestic and family violence in Australia.

“This initiative offers a powerful opportunity to start some really important, age-appropriate conversations in our homes and schools around chore equity, gender stereotyping and respectful relationships,” Danni Miller, Women’s Community Shelters Education Officer said.

“The research also clearly shows that meaningful fundraising opportunities like this one are just what our young people need right now. During times of uncertainty, altruistic acts boost our morale, foster a sense of connection, and give us back a sense of control.”

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