You matter | Supporting women and families escaping domestic violence

You Matter acknowledges the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nations as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work and pays its respects to Wurundjeri Elders past, present and future, and extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We value their ongoing contribution to the cultural heritage of this land.

Introduction

You Matter is committed to safeguarding the privacy of its staff, volunteers and clients. This policy outlines how we gather and disseminate personal information. Personal information is defined as information which directly or indirectly identifies a person.

This includes but is not exclusive to;

Name
Address
Email Address
Phone Number
Any other information disclosed on the website

Policy

You Matter collects and administers a range of personal information for the purposes of association with us, as a volunteer, donator of goods or funds, as an employee, agency or recipient of You Matter services. You Matter respects the privacy needs of the recipients of our services, and are committed to protecting the privacy of personal information it collects, holds and administers.

You Matter recognises the essential right of individuals to have their information administered in ways which they would reasonably expect – protected on one hand, and made accessible to them on the other. These privacy values are reflected in and supported by our core values and philosophies.

You Matter is bound by laws which impose specific obligations when it comes to handling information. The organisation has adopted the following principles as minimum standards in relation to handling personal information:

You Matter will,

collect only information which the organisation requires for its primary function;
ensure that stakeholders are informed as to why we collect the information and how we administer the information gathered;
use and disclose personal information only for our primary functions or a directly related purpose, e.g. removals contractor, or for another purpose with the person’s consent;
store personal information securely, protecting it from unauthorised or third party access;
provide stakeholders with access to their own information, and the right to seek its correction.

General principles

We treat your data as private information. We do not use your data for our own purposes, except in the circumstances described in this privacy policy or unless we have your express consent.

We will not share your data with another party, except where

We are legally compelled to provide it to a third party (e.g. provide information set out in a valid subpoena to authorities during the investigation of a criminal offence), or

We have engaged a trusted service provider to assist us with a particular transaction (e.g. provision of a donation software platform for fundraising appeals).

We will never sell your data to a third party.

Generally, we use the information we collect from you only in connection with providing our services.

How is personal information collected?

Generally we collect your personal information from you directly. You Matter collects personal information in a number of ways including:

through our websites (including when an individual chooses to make a donation through the You Matter web site).

via the information you provide to us through contact mailboxes or through the registration process on our website, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

when individuals correspond with us (including by letter, email, phone or in person).

in the course of servicing clients of the agencies we work with.

Sometimes it may be necessary for us to collect your personal information from a third party. For example, we may collect your personal information when you make a donation to us. This may also occur in the process of carrying out our activities, such as during the collection of hard goods, donations and the setting up of houses.

*PRIVACY DISCLAIMER* When services/items are being delivered to our recipients, Personal Information will only be disclosed to volunteers or delivery contractors when necessary to complete the associated activities. This is required for You Matter to perform our functions to the best of our capacity. Recipients agree to this disclaimer in signing up to receive items.

Maintaining the privacy of your information is of key to us as it helps foster confidence, goodwill and stronger relationships with you, our clients and recipients. If, at any time, you have questions or concerns about our privacy practices, please feel free to contact us at info@youmatter.org.au with the subject noted as ‘Privacy’.

GOODS DONATIONS INFORMATION FOR WHEN WE ARE COLLECTING:

Individual Goods Donors:

If you have items to donate, please email us at donategoods@youmatter.org.au

Please provide details including:
- description, dimensions (where applicable) & photos of the item
- suburb of collection (to assess if we can collect from them from your area depending on availability of drivers and level of demand)
- If suitable, we will arrange a mutually agreeable time to collect your items.

All donated items must be of good quality/condition, with no signs of wear and tear and suitable for smaller homes and units.

Business Goods Partnerships:

If your business has surplus inventory, sample stock, returned items, shop marked or unsaleable stock then we can distribute this to families in need and acknowledge your valuable support.

Items regularly required in our havens are:

Small dining tables and chairs (2 – 4 persons)
Small sofas - maximum dimensions: L/W: 1900 D 750 H: 900
Armchairs
Double & Queen size beds bed & base only – No frames
Small bedside tables
Small chest of drawers
Small bookcases
TV units
Side tables, Coffee tables
Fridges (no French door fridges)
Floor lamps, table lamps, bedside lamps
TVs, microwaves, irons, heaters, hair dryers & fans
Please note electrical appliances must be tested and tagged by You Matter in accordance with Australian standards. We appreciate if you can contribute funds towards testing and tagging of your item.
Kitchen appliances:
- Kettles
- 2 slice toasters
- Sandwich Makers
- Handheld Mix Masters
Kitchen crockery, cutlery, utensils, cookware and bakeware
Bed linen, mattress protectors, doonas – preferably new and only the following sizes:
- Queen
- Double
- King Single
- Single
Towels. Bath Towels, (no bath sheets), Hand Towels, Washers and Bath Mats.
Decorator items – pictures, vases, candles, cushions, throws, platters – these items all help turn our homes into havens for victim-survivors.

If you would also like to consider donating funds to purchase much needed goods please go to: youmatter.raisely.com

Items we do not take include:

Baby goods such as highchairs, car seats, cots etc.
Glass tables or glass top furniture
Any clothing, shoes or accessories
Mirrors
King or Super King beds or linen
Laptops
Electrical appliances such as popcorn makers, juicers etc
Round tables

Please email us at donategoods@youmatter.org.au and help create havens with hope for a brighter future.
Thank you for your valued support.

ABOUT US

1. Vision, Purpose, Values:

Our Vision
Women and their children live safe and happy lives in their own homes and community.

Our Purpose
Creating Havens of hope for women and their children escaping family violence. Through a fully equipped and comfortable home, women are empowered to re-establish stability, independence and connect to their community.

Our Values

Hope: We work together to create and demonstrate hope of a future for women and children free from violence.
Agility: We are adaptable, flexible and responsive. We harness and mobilise community skills and contributions to address needs and raise awareness. We partner and connect with others to maximise impact.
Voice: Women and their children are empowered through their engagement with us, their voices inform our work. We learn through listening to all our stakeholders.
Environmental responsibility: We contribute to the sustainability of our environment by re-homing used goods which reduces waste.
Nurturing: We create nurturing and comfortable Havens. Our team approach draws on a community of support assisting women and their children to thrive in their home knowing they are surrounded by a compassionate and understanding community.

2. About our Service

The need for our service
At You Matter it is our mission to help women and children who have experienced family violence, are in desperate need of practical as well as caring support and don’t know where to turn. We support agencies to create a home for women and children escaping family violence because everyone deserves a home. These women deserve a home that is a haven, a home that is not just a house, but a home filled with all the things families need to start their lives over again.

How it works
You Matter works in close collaboration with Family Violence Support agencies. Once a woman has secured her long-term accommodation, You Matter will take a referral to set up the contents of her home through the family violence support agency.
The You Mater Service Coordinator works with these agencies and Haven Coordinators to ensure all the required needs of the woman survivor are met so that she may feel empowered to thrive and move forward with dignity and respect.

Our You Matter volunteers are crucial to the successful functioning of the organisation and effectively enable us to increase the amount of havens created.

3. Our History

From the humble beginnings of assisting one woman and her children setting up her home after fleeing Family Violence in early 2019.
September 2019 auspiced as the You Matter project by the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre.
Founded as a registered charity with DGR 1 status on 1 May 2020.
You Matter has grown to provide support to an average of 8 women and their children per month throughout Melbourne.

4. Our Management Team

Maxine Gross
CEO & Founder

Seeing a clear and urgent need to help women and families affected by domestic violence in Melbourne, Maxine went about putting her time and marketing and fundraising skills to work to set up You Matter. Maxine began her marketing career with the International Travel Company, Intrepid Travel before working in London as the Director of New Media Marketing at Access Conferences, running conferences in London, New York, Paris, and Barcelona. She then became Marketing Director with McBains Cooper Property and Construction Firm, with 10 offices throughout the UK before moving to Hong Kong, where she worked on various fundraising campaigns and with some online marketing businesses. Following that, she returned to Australia and decided to put her skills and time towards helping those in need. She has always been passionate about supporting and empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential.

Sarah Ricardo
Warehouse Operations Manager

Jen McMahon
Service Coordinator

5. You Matter Board of Directors

Jackie Cook
Chairperson

Jackie is an accomplished strategist, technologist and leader of change with over 25 years experience across transport, IT, professional services and telecommunications industries.

Having held CEO, General Management, Management Consulting and Project positions in both start up, divestments and mature businesses, Jackie is known for her ability to lead change and engage with stakeholders to ensure the sustainable success of the entity in which she is engaged. Jackie is currently the Regional Vice President, Customer Transformation with Salesforce.

Jacqui Kalwig
Secretary

Jacqui is a senior information technology executive with extensive experience in leadership and technical roles. Working for many of Australia’s top 100 companies, Jacqui has gained deep experience in IT strategy, service management, vendor management, operational management and service optimisation. She has a demonstrated ability to manage large and complex outsourcing arrangements, committing to best quality outcomes through collaborative and respectful engagement. Jacqui also has capability for leading teams through complex change programs, coaching and mentoring staff to deliver their best. Clients love Jacqui’s positive attitude, great engagement style and structured approach, which ultimately delivers effective outcomes.

Hannah Linossier

Hannah is a workplace relations lawyer with significant experience assisting organisations navigate both the human and legal complexities of workplace issues. She is also an Adjunct Lecturer with The College of Law. Hannah has a strong commitment to social justice and has been involved in extensive volunteer and pro-bono work throughout her career. She looks forward to being able to contribute to the vital work You Matter undertakes in the community and contribute to the organisation’s exciting next chapter.

Taimur Siddiqi

"I have had the opportunity to volunteer with the marvellous collections team at You Matter for the past two years and chose to volunteer because I believed the work it did mattered. I find it unconscionable that women who survive domestic violence experience the added indignity of insecure and inadequate housing. Through this work, I know the impact You Matter has by sourcing items that will meet the needs of women, enabling the community to contribute and ensuring items are purposefully re-used rather than discarded. I am now excited to expand my involvement and join the Board, where I hope to apply my professional skills to help better demonstrate and increase this impact I have seen first hand."

Catherine Easton

Catherine is highly experienced senior service delivery executive with strong skills in strategic planning, business operations, shared services, organisational culture development, stakeholder management, and program delivery. She has worked in both the commercial and for-purpose sectors and has over 15 years board experience. Catherine is a previous Chair of Linden New Art and Arts Project Australia and is currently a member of the Policy & Planning Committee at Arts Project, the Palais Theatre Community Fund Committee and is a mentor at Fitted for Work.

Sheree Limbrick

Sheree is a skilled human services professional with more than 20 years’ experience in senior executive leadership roles across a number of community service organisations. Sheree has worked with some of the most vulnerable members of Victoria’s community over her career including children in the child protection and youth justice systems, children excluded from mainstream education, refugee and asylum seeker communities, individuals and families with complex alcohol and drug and mental health issues and survivors of institutional abuse.

From 2017 to 2021, Sheree was the inaugural CEO of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd and was instrumental in the development of the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards for the Catholic Church in Australia, along with capacity building and audit frameworks. In mid-2021, Sheree established her own management consulting business and now works with a range of not-for-profit and educational organisations to improve their safeguarding, governance, strategy and operational systems to ensure better outcomes for those who use their services. Sheree is also a lecturer in the Department of Pastoral and Spiritual Studies at Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity.

Together...

Maxine, Jackie, Jacqui, Hannah, Catherine, Taimur & Sheree are passionately committed to the advancement of women in general and to the advancement of disadvantaged women in particular. They are each accomplished in their own right, but together make a talented team.

Testimonials...

"You Matter filled my new life with hope and showed me I am valued. I couldn't speak more highly of You Matter everything was fantastic."
HAVEN 19, FV Survivor

"Coming from a place of being very traumatised by everything, they really softened the blow to come into a welcoming home. It wasn't just a house it was a home, it was equipped, I didn't have to do a thing. This was a first in my life."
HAVEN 66, FV Survivor

"I want to acknowledge the incredible work You Matter does and how flexible and supportive you were for my client and the challenges she faced. Everything was catered for her individual needs and tastes."
HAVEN 69, Agency Testimonial

"I feel privileged to help in such a direct way, to support people to live safe lives and have a chance to thrive."
S, Volunteer

"Everyone at JUNO raves about how amazing you guys are. Thank you for the amazing work. You Matter is very responsive and was a very easy process to partner with you."
HAVEN 68, Agency Testimonial

"From the moment I heard about You Matter I reaslised it was an organisation that I would like to help."
M, Volunteer

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