Illawarra charity leader needs warehouse to keep helping abuse survivors
Barbara Atkins has spent almost nine years furnishing homes for women fleeing domestic violence but now needs a larger space.
Every Saturday, 75-year-old Barbara Atkins and volunteers load donated furniture into trucks. Barbara Atkins and volunteers deliver complete households to people starting over after domestic violence.
Fridges, beds, microwaves, mattresses and linen arrive within hours of a call. In almost nine years, her charity Community Outreach Illawarra has set up hundreds of homes.
The work runs seven days a week from three shipping containers at the Bulli Workers' Club. Atkins says the space is too small.
She turns away donated furniture daily and is reaching the age where lifting large fridges alone is unsafe. She is searching for a warehouse between Bellambi and Austinmer with power and water.
She needs to test washing machines there. Atkins believes giving people a full home to move into makes the difference between staying safe and returning to a dangerous situation.
- 75 years old
- Atkins' age
- Almost 9 years
- Years operating
- Between Bellambi and Austinmer
- Sought warehouse area
Why it mattersA working warehouse would let Atkins help more people escape domestic violence without turning away donations or risking her health.
AustraliaThe Illawarra region could see more women safely housed after leaving abusive relationships if Atkins finds warehouse space.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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