Media Release: Wednesday 3rd July 2024
Protea Place founder and CEO sets the record straight.
CEO Amanda Dalton said the trial period was stated from the very outset but understands some may not have understood what a pilot looks like in practice.
A pilot project runs for a short time only and is used to allow the lead organisation to test and assess the viability for a longer term implementation. The pilot period is an opportunity for the community to get behind the project, to help ensure all aspects are supported and utilised. This was always our intention and stated in various interviews, posts and on our website.
There is no doubt the pilot showed a dire need for the service, that women were accessing it and the community was sharing the word of what we did.
Protea Place Inc. receives no government funding and this places significant stressors on the organisation to function and thrive. A crucial aspect of the Warwick Pilot was to assess the community's capacity to contribute on an ongoing basis. Due to the current economic and cost of living crisis, together with being a small rural population, fundraising to the required level has proved extremely difficult.
Despite the generous efforts from many within the community, donations have been sporadic and minimal, indicative that without a recurrent funding source, the site beyond the pilot is not financially viable. Significant and tireless direct lobbying for funding this program has not been successful in the required timeline. This is a devastating blow to the efforts and goals of the community. Only 24% of the required $125,000 for the year ahead raised between July 2023 and June 2024.
“We want to help the community, and we want there to be some legacy of support to be left behind.”
In August 2023, Protea Place opened a hub in Warwick to help assist with the increasing number of women in the region facing homelessness.
Since opening the Warwick service is said to have supported 300 women in the region since its official opening in August 2023.
The Protea Place model is unique and differs from traditional organisations in that women in need can turn up and get support through a personalised, face to face approach.
Women in need are able to have a shower, a meal, laundry and clothing and physical support along with case management and housing assistance all under one roof. The integrated model of support allows that women are at the centre of the support and not required to visit 5 different agencies.
Since the announcement, we have been advised that a local group have responded quickly and are working on a potential plan to take over the model and services from Protea Place.
“This is truly very encouraging and the best possible outcome we could have hoped for- that the model and service are valued by the community and they want it to work and be here for the community long into the future
“It’s shown us that we all want the same thing for vulnerable women in the community, and they are willing to fight for it. I think that is really powerful when the community cares what happens and they have acted with urgency and pulled together to show we all want support for vulnerable women in the community.”
Ms Dalton said the residual funds from Protea Place will be kept in Warwick and will be used to continue the valuable work of supporting vulnerable women in the region.
“The pilot officially finishes at the end of July however Protea Place are really looking forward to working with the Warwick community to ensure a smooth handover.”
