Introduction
The Women's Community Centre SA Inc. is a not-for-profit incorporated community organisation that has status as a charitable institution meeting ATO requirements. For the past 30 years we have been providing services within a feminist framework to enable women to follow, a variety of pathways to increase their participation and power in all sectors of society. The safe, inclusive and supportive environment gives women during a life transition an opportunity to assess their current situation, then plan for and implement positive changes in their lives, or learn new life and employment skills at a low cost in order to enter or re-enter the workforce. The programs and services support women who are isolated, experiencing change, disadvantaged and/or seeking information and support. We provide these women with opportunities to increase their skills, knowledge, information base and confidence levels by offering a wide range of programs and services, and opportunities to meet, get to know and support each other. The Centre provides information about other services and agency programs, and also runs a volunteer program.
A key feature of our service is the provision of on site high quality childcare to enable women to attend our program of courses and services. For a large percentage of our clients, the availability of subsidised, affordable childcare makes the difference between being able to attend the Centre or not, so these disadvantaged women would be denied access to our support, education and information services. We offer high quality pre school experiences so that the lives of disadvantaged children who attend the Centre are enriched and enhanced, and both the children and their mothers benefit.
How it all started..........
The St Peters Women’s Group was formed early in 1975 during the International Women’s Year and through the active support of the St Peters Council. Research undertaken by this group indicated that women of the Adelaide community wanted a space to be established where women could meet for a variety of purposes. Two years later, the St Peter’s Women’s Community Centre opened at its present site in 1977. The name Women’s Community Centre was later adopted to reflect the wider metropolitan nature of the Centre, and in response to the Centre’s growth. The Centre’s main focus was providing a nurturing, safe, supportive environment for women to meet. This focus has not changed in 34 years. However the scope of services the Centre provides has changed considerably with the changing times and needs of women, their families and community.
The Women's Community Centre SA Inc has been providing programs and services to the women of South Australia for thirty four years. It is a Non-Profit incorporated body with a structure that includes a Management Committee, Team Leader, Administration Officer and Volunteers. The WCC is unique as being the only one of it's kind, here in South Australia. The centre has an open and friendly atmosphere and some of it's members are second and third generation users. The relaxed and inclusive environment encourages women to meet people, learn new skills and become invloved in their community. For those women who have pre-schoolers there is a well resourced creche available with a qualified child care worker.
The women who come to the Centre for support and services are from diverse socio-economic, educational and cultural backgrounds, usually on low incomes, have low self esteem, are isolated, recovering from abusive and violent relationships, have physical disabilities or are experiencing mental health problems, and come from non English-speaking backgrounds. There are a few indigenous women attending. The Centre’s wide range of services include: counselling, educational courses, recreational activities, naturopathy, massage, support programs, volunteer programs, childcare, parenting programs, community development activities, and much more. The Centre’s courses are frequently filled to capacity, and many of the more popular courses have waiting lists. There are also waiting lists for the Centre’s counselling service and occasional childcare service. The Women's Community Centre has members who live locally and also from further afield. It is a place for all women ! It hosts craft workshops, personal development, opportunities and healthy living activities. For women looking to return to the work force there are volunteer positions available in a range of interesting areas.
Community development is important to the WCC. By entering in partnerships with other organisations, the use of scarce resources are maximized ensuring that the best possible services are offered to women. The Centre’s strength and relevance stems from the fact that women choose to participate, contribute, shape and determine how to have their needs met. They explore the variety of options that are available to them. They share information and their knowledge, skills and talents result in personal empowerment serving as inspiration for others. The Centre provides a friendly and welcoming place for women to meet and participate in community activities, to attend courses, or to volunteer their time and further develop their skills. The Centre has continued to provide a wide range of services to the women of the Adelaide community, solely due to the wonderful volunteers in the organisation, although a paid part-time Co-ordinator is essential to oversee and maintain the existing organisational structure and to implement plans of action to ensure ongoing development of services and programs, and to progressively work towards implementing our vision for the future.
The Women's Community Centre is a living, growing, active community aiming to meet the needs of women it serves. Women, through their involvement with the Centre develop and enrich their lives by exercising their strengths and embracing the opportunity to celebrate the diversity in our community.