Wellsprings for Women

Wellsprings for Women is a women-only, grassroots organisation based in Dandenong, Victoria. Established in 1994 by the Presentation Sisters, our vision is: All women shaping their own lives. Our mission is to support women from migrant, refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds through inclusive, trauma-informed programs that build skills, confidence, and social connection.

We address the systemic barriers facing newly arrived and marginalised women – including language, digital exclusion, isolation, housing insecurity, and family violence. Each week, over 750 women and 400 children from 39 countries access our services in the Cities of Greater Dandenong and Casey. These include English language, digital and financial literacy, employability, wellbeing, family violence casework, and parenting support. We also offer study support for children, playgroups, and outreach across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.

Wellsprings is uniquely placed to deliver this work. We have deep trust in the communities we serve and 30 years’ experience delivering place-based, culturally tailored programs in over 30 languages. We are a Neighbourhood House and Learn Local provider, with strong local partnerships and a proven track record in building social cohesion, community leadership, and recovery pathways for women and their families.

Our current priorities include:
– Sustaining our housing and family violence support program
– Expanding into Casey to meet growing demand
– Investing in income-generating skills for women through tailored programs like sewing, hospitality, and volunteering

Funding will help us continue providing safe, empowering, life-changing support for women and children in some of Victoria’s most disadvantaged communities.

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