Hand-crafted quilts give comfort to women in crisis
Providing warmth, comfort & care: from left, Charity Quilt Liaison Officer Denise Park, Carlee Adderson & Natalie Gamble from Laurel Place, Morgan Hunter-Francois from Kyabra and Audrey Lyttle from the Palmwoods Community Branch with the impressive pile of quilts.
by Cameron Outridge
For women escaping domestic violence or coping with the aftermath of sexual assault, the journey toward healing often begins with the most basic necessities. Recognising this, the Palmwoods Arts and Crafts Group has donated over 40 meticulously hand-crafted quilts to Kyabra and Laurel Place—organisations dedicated to supporting women in crisis.
Kyabra Community Association offers accommodation and support for individuals and families experiencing homelessness, with a focus on those affected by domestic and family violence. Their services include transitional housing, case management and a women’s refuge equipped with six units designed for women and children fleeing abuse.
Laurel Place provides free, confidential counseling and support to individuals impacted by sexual violence. Their services include counseling for recent and historical sexual assault survivors, support for non-offending family members, and specialised programs for children and young people.
At a charity morning tea on Tuesday (March 25) Charity Quilt Liaison Officer Denise Park thanked Palmwoods Community Branch for its generous donation of $3000 which makes the initiative possible. “We really appreciate the donation ... which allows us to purchase he wadding and backing for all the quilts. It wouldn’t be possible if not for the donation.”
Morgan Hunter-Francois of Kyabra said women and children often left dangerous situations with as little as a backpack.
“And so having something like these beautiful quilts just brings that kind of homely touch into those spaces as well. It helps make sure they feel cared for and nurtured during a really unsafe and often very scary time when they’re trying to settle into our space.”
Carlee Adderson from Laurel Place said clients used the quilts as sources of comfort during counseling sessions and beyond. “I sit in a program that works with women who, when they transition from Morgan’s program, they come to us and we do some counselling, recovery and wellbeing with them after leaving violent relationships. So these blankets for us mean that sometimes they take them with them, sometimes they bring them to counselling sessions and sit with them and it’s their security and their safety blankets.”
The Palmwoods Arts and Crafts Group plans to continue their support, with additional quilts earmarked for other local organisations, including Katie Rose Cottage, a palliative care facility, and Ward 4FW of Nambour Hospital, to aid in their fundraising efforts for Wishlist.