New crisis women’s shelter opens in Greater Parramatta

(Left to right) Dominic Sullivan – Director PAYCE Foundation, Liz Scully – Parramatta Women’s Shelter Chair, Simone Parsons – Women’s Community Shelters Chief Operating Officer, Rebecca Edwards – Director PAYCE Foundation)

The PAYCE Foundation, the philanthropic arm of property company PAYCE, has backed the project by donating the use of two houses in the region.

Women’s Community Shelters CEO Annabelle Daniel said the western Sydney organisation was established, as part of the Women’s Community Shelters Network to meet the growing demand for services.

“It is vital that women and children who have been exposed to domestic violence have a safe place to rebuild their lives,” Ms Daniel said.

“It is a long journey but a safe place to stay and support from qualified case workers to help navigate the pathway ahead, is the first important step.’’

Demand for crisis accommodation outstrips supply, with women turned away every night in Australia.

Parramatta is the seventh community shelter established in Sydney under the network model developed by Women’s Community Shelters.

Parramatta Women’s Shelter Chair, Liz Scully said the donation of the two houses made the project viable, with the service costing more than $440,000 per year to run.

“We are pleased to partner with the PAYCE Foundation which has a strong commitment to supporting women in need,” she said.

“We hope these two houses are just the start and we can continue to partner to create safe pathways for women escaping homelessness and domestic and family violence in the near future.”

PAYCE Foundation Director Dominic Sullivan said the donation of houses was an effective way to give back to the community.

“We recognised that the Parramatta Women’s Shelter is a passionate, dedicated community group and we are pleased to assist them with their plan to help women in crisis,’’ he said.