The program operates out of Sagarmatha – our purpose-built Education and Employment Centre opened in November 2006. The Centre relies solely on the generosity of individual and corporate donations; it has no other funding source.
Sagarmatha was established as a result of the great generosity of the South Australian community; through their financial and in-kind support of the 2004 Mt. Everest Appeal. Sagarmatha is the Nepalese name for Mt. Everest; it means ‘Goddess of the Universe’.
The Centre offers a range of varied recreational, skill development, educational and job preparation courses each week. The critical aim of the Centre is to ‘educate women out of homelessness’ through participation in the on-site courses offered, assisting them to move on to further study, facilitating access to employment and directing them to volunteering opportunities.
In 2007, 15 women found employment or moved on to further study. The program has around 100 attendances each week.
In 2008, 28 women found employment, 19 participating in further study/job training and 6 went into work experience. Our ability to place women into jobs, further study/job training and work experience last year was further enhanced by the employment of a part-time registered psychologist with extensive experience in working with the long term unemployed.
At the same time, we also employed an Operational Coordinator to manage the day-to-day functioning of the Centre. As a team, they both contributed significantly to the many achievements of the women who attended in 2008.
Alongside this great result, it was wonderful to be advised in November last year that our Voice and Drama Group had attained an A+ for their Year 12 Australian Music Examination Board exam. Further to this amazing achievement, the group were also presented with an Award at the University of Adelaide on 14 December 2008. Marilyn Bodycoat (Speechmatters) has been our volunteer voice and drama coach since 2003. Last year she entered students into the Year 11 exam where they attained a B+, so this year they truly excelled themselves!
Voice and Drama is a vital part of our overall Arts Program. Our Arts Program is key to helping build self-esteem and confidence in women, which in turn encourages them to work towards further study and/or seek employment.
Another key element in building study/job success is our No-Barriers Program. As the name suggests we believe in directly addressing any barriers to jobs through our:
- Working Wardrobe – women choose clothes for an interview/first two weeks at work.
- Dental Program – Health Partners and one other dentist provide free dental treatment for women. This program is vital in building self-image and giving women the freedom to smile.
- Ophthalmic Program – currently looking for a company to provide a free service. Another vital job preparation issue.
Associated with the work of Sagarmatha it is hoped that a Social Enterprise will be established in 2009 to employ women with a mental illness, or women affected by other social issues that can negatively impact on job prospects. The organisation has been exploring the setting-up of such a business enterprise since 2006. In September 2008 the director attended the Social Enterprise World Forum in Edinburgh Scotland and visited sites involved in this work in Scotland and the USA.
In January 2009 a 'Think Tank', including 4 prominent business entrepreneurs, was set-up to consider all the research data gathered to date and make a recommendation to the Catherine House Inc. Board by April 2009 on the viability, or otherwise, of such a venture.
If you would like to be a funding partner of this program we invite you to complete the Donations Form.