The Queen's Fund partners with St Kilda Gatehouse to make a difference

To celebrate International Women’s Day, The Queen’s Fund wishes to acknowledge the wonderful work our many partner referral agencies do to empower Victorian women and children and thank them for their tireless support. Their goals often align closely with ours – to encourage women to increase their skills, knowledge and self-worth; to give hope to their clients and a chance to rebuild lives and provide ongoing support and opportunities.    

In the spirit of collaboration, we are proud to highlight the work that St Kilda Gatehouse is doing to support local women and children. St Kilda Gatehouse provides spaces of belonging and safety for women involved in street-based sex work in St Kilda, and with young women and girls affected by sexual exploitation. TQF and St Kilda Gatehouse are committed to uplifting women and children in the Victorian community, breaking the bias around complex issues, such as addiction, homelessness, mental illness, poverty, domestic violence, abuse and isolation. Working together, we aim to forge women's equality and provide opportunities for women to feel heard and empowered.

TQF have partnered with St Kilda Gatehouse for many years, and since 2017 has helped over 50 women and 50 children, with an average grant of $320, totalling in excess of $17,000.

St Kilda Gatehouse Chief Executive Officer, Stacey Aslangul, share her thoughts on our partnership, which provides opportunities for women and children to experience social inclusion with respect and unconditional acceptance.

How does TQF make a difference to your clients?

Stacey Aslangul: The Queen’s Fund has enabled the clients of St Kilda Gatehouse to access essential items such as a fridge, mobile phone, school uniforms, internet access, laptops and other essential household items. [A grant] alleviates the burden and stress of having to do without and empowers and brings the women dignity, as they don’t feel like they’re missing out on most items people take for granted.

“It’s like a ray of sunshine in their lives.”

Why would you seek assistance from TQF?

SA: Staff at St Kilda Gatehouse would seek assistance from The Queen’s Fund because otherwise the clients would go without, as they cannot afford these essential items. The women of St Kilda Gatehouse face daily struggles due to issues with mental health, financial hardship, homelessness and substance use, which means they are not able to afford to pay for items that most of us take for granted.

Describe the impact TQF has on your clients.

SA: The Queen’s Fund has been invaluable to the women that St Kilda Gatehouse work with. Throughout the years, The Queen’s Fund has enabled the women to purchase mobile phones, internet connections, school uniforms, fridges, household goods such as linen, towels and bedding, and laptops.

For one mother who was able to purchase school uniforms for her daughter through The Queen’s Fund grant, it meant that her young child would fit in at school and be like the other kids. 

“She told me, ‘Thank God for this grant, I did not know how I would be able to pay for this myself.’”

One woman, who was able to gain internet access has been able to reunite with her son via Facebook.

For one of the women who received a mobile phone, it gave her the freedom to contact friends, family and her support workers and enabled her to feel safer and less isolated.

“[The Queen’s Fund] has empowered [these women] and provided dignity, freedom and hope to the women who utilise the support of St Kilda Gatehouse.”

For more information, head to the St Kilda Gatehouse website.

St Kilda Gatehouse CEO Stacey Aslangul speaks to The Queen’s Fund about our partnership and highlights the positive impact our grants have for their clients.