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;
and
• 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

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:

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, Mission, Values:

Vision - Women and their children feel supported to live a safe and happy life within their own homes and their community.

Mission - To ensure that the permanent homes of women and their children escaping Family Violence are fully equipped, functional and comfortable, so that they can begin to rebuild their lives free from the impediments that not having basic household items create

Values -

• Respect
  We believe in gender equity and equal respectful relationships. We provide good quality items to those in need as everyone deserves the best. Families, volunteers and agencies are afforded the utmost respect at all times. Being treated with dignity and respect increases one's self-view and ability to live well.
• Strength
  Women and their children are empowered to survive and thrive in their environment as it is full of love, compassion and support.
• Integrity
  We will deal with everyone in an equal way. All our interactions with others will reflect the highest level of integrity.
• Community
  Women and their children feel they belong to the community, and their community is supporting them through the work of our volunteers.
• Environmental responsibility
  We contribute to the protection of our environment by re-homing second-hand goods and thereby reducing waste.

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.

Jared Flower
Warehouse Manager

Jen McMahon
Service Coordinator

5. You Matter Board of Directors

Sandie de Wolf AM
Chairperson

Sandie has spent her professional life working with, and advocating for, vulnerable children, young people, women and families, initially in the Department and since 1989, the community sector. Sandie has been recognised for her passion and commitment with several awards, including becoming a Member of the Order of Australia in 2009. She is a life member of the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare(2001) and VCOSS(2017). Sandie left Berry Street in December 2017 after 26 years as CEO having significantly grown its reach, impact and reputation.
Since leaving Berry Street, Sandie has continued her contribution through the Interim CEO role at DVVIc (Dec 2018-June2019), the Deputy Chair of the Victorian Children’s Council (2007-2021), the Chair of the Western Integrated Family Violence Committee (since 2018) and Chair of the Eastern Domestic Violence Service (since 2019) as well as several other boards and government panels. Sandie decided to join You Matter as she understands the value that we create and what a difference it can make for women and children trying to rebuild their lives.

Cam Bailey
Treasurer

Cam is currently a Vice President at Macquarie Capital focused on advisory and principal investment in the infrastructure sector. Cam has 10+ years’ experience in banking and finance where he has gained significant experience advising senior stakeholders, boards, and shareholders on complex transactions and transformational projects. Prior to Macquarie, Cam worked in a range of leading financial institutions including Capella Capital, NAB, and UBS. As a strong believer in the need to provide those in vulnerable circumstances dignity, safety, and opportunity, Cam has sought to leverage his commercial background to become more involved in the for-purpose space in recent years.

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
Non-Executive Director

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."

Jackie Cook

Catherine Easton
Non-Executive Director

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
Board Member

I consider myself very fortunate to have worked with You Matter earlier in 2022 to assist them to review their core systems, structures and processes. I was inspired by the collective generosity and drive of everyone involved in You Matter and admired their innovative and grassroots approach to addressing a wicked problem in our community. I am delighted to be joining the Board and am excited to continue to contribute my skills and experience to support the ongoing development and reach of You Matter's amazing work.

Together...

Maxine, Sandie, Jacqui, Cam, Catherine and Hannah 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.

They have also surrounded themselves with highly qualified mentors to help them grow You Matter. Among these were the former CEO of Oxfam Australia, Helen Szoke AO, who was the Interim Chair of the You Matter board for the first 6 months of operation.

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