Our framework
WISHIN is a gender-specific, community-based organisation. We support women, with or without children, who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, as well as women who have experienced family violence or those trying to escape it. We work from a feminist, trauma-informed, rights-based, non-judgemental framework to address multiple and complex needs.
Inclusive
We welcome all women regardless of their identity, experiences, nationality, culture, community, or religious beliefs.
Tailored
We recognise there can be complex barriers to getting help. And we understand that each woman’s journey is unique. That’s why we tailor our services to match the individual needs and circumstances of those we support.
Trust
The building of trust and the development of safe, accountable and transparent relationships are central to the way we work.
Teamwork
We work with women. Together, we explore solutions to the issues they’re struggling with. We never dictate or apply pressure. We move at their pace and honour their stories, truth and experiences.
Secular
Many of the women we support have experienced years of complex trauma through their connections to religious institutions and the clergy from whom they sought solace and protection. For this reason, WISHIN’s support is completely secular and free from the influence of religious institutions.
Addressing the causes of homelessness
Most of the women we support have experienced family violence, which is the leading cause of women’s homelessness in Victoria. While WISHIN is predominately funded as a Specialist Homelessness Support Service, we also provide a Specialist Family Violence Response. This is our way of honouring the experiences of the women we work with, and dealing with the underlying causes of their situation.
Safety first
WISHIN is a signatory to the Domestic Violence Victoria Code of Practice for Specialist Family Violence Services for Women and Children. By following the fundamental tenets of this code we are able to prioritise the safety of the women and children we support.
Integrated
We work closely with many organisations in the northern region service system to help connect women to other services they may need. Our aim is to simplify the process of getting help to reduce the stress levels of those already experiencing extreme circumstances.
