Rising Above – Empowering Women at Lovewell Foundation

The Lovewell Café in Mount Gravatt is a bustling social enterprise, providing opportunities for women experiencing hardship. A sign at the entry to the café reads, Every sip of coffee here contributes to a woman’s ability to stand tall, rebuild and thrive within their community.

It’s a sanctuary of second chances for women throughout Brisbane.

Second chances come with expectations, and meeting these expectations ensure women at Lovewell succeed while participating in the Foundation’s support programs. Women who seek refuge and renewal at the Lovewell Foundation are overcoming addiction, abuse, among other challenges.

As a Foodbank Queensland Member, Lovewell Foundation provides crucial support including food for emergency and crisis packs, ensuring these women have the resources needed to rebuild their lives.

Annie, the passionate Director of Lovewell, speaks of the support given to women through Foodbank Queensland, including the importance of non-food items that restores dignity when at their lowest.

“Items like shampoo and toothpaste are expensive. Women in the Lovewell Foundation are still in crisis or have nothing,” says Annie.

While some women are shunned by their family and friends, they maintain connections with their pets who have a profound role in their recovery.

“It is so important they have their pets, many of our women have lost their children for a period of time. For those who have gone through trauma, dogs are so important to them,” Annie says.

Foodbank Queensland provides pet supplies including pet food and kitty litter, products that play a crucial role in supporting Lovewell women and their beloved animals.

Annie shares that food provided by Foodbank Queensland has enabled the creation of a special program focused on teaching women how to cook with just four basic pantry ingredients. This initiative was designed not only to equip women with essential cooking skills, but also to increase their independence and confidence. Additionally, the meals prepared by the women under the guidance of the Lovewell Café team were distributed to other women in need. This approach provides practical skills and nourishment, as well as furthering the supportive cycle of giving and receiving within the Lovewell community.

The success stories are inspiring; one woman who was given her last chance has since turned her life around and now contributes back to the Lovewell community.

“It’s about building a new tribe, because everyone needs a tribe. You don’t need to wear that label anymore, because you’re here,” says Annie.

Annie shares her own experiences, having personally dealt with domestic violence and single motherhood. Despite facing significant challenges, Annie’s story is about surviving and maintaining hope while raising her child on her own. “I lived for a reason”, she shares.

Sunflower Place, an initiative of Lovewell Foundation, provides a path forward for women facing crises across Brisbane. Offering financial workshops and employment training, these programs provide vulnerable women with essential skills to pursue meaningful careers. At the Lovewell Café, women receive training and employment opportunities in a supportive community where they have the confidence to rebuild and thrive. In the Better Futures Program, women participate in practical workshops to plan their future, guided by mentors with similar lived experiences.

Annie emphasises that the success of program participants hinges on hard work, punctuality and collaboration. As the women of Lovewell forge paths of empowerment and recovery, Lovewell stands as a testament to transforming adversity into opportunity, with every sip of coffee and every compassionate gesture.

“This is my dream because this is now full circle. These programs are now supporting other women and it is incredible that they have rebuilt their lives and have got employment that they feel they can now give back,” says Annie.

As a Member of Foodbank Queensland, Lovewell Foundation is supported through food and pantry items that significantly impact women in crisis.  When asked on the impact of food relief through the generosity of Foodbank Queensland donors, Annie shares, “It makes a difference. Even though these women may not know who you are, you are significant in their lives and journey, and we thank you.”

If you are in a position to help Foodbank Queensland provide more food across the state to support Queenslanders in need, please consider joining the fight against hunger as a regular giver.