Think back to the most vulnerable time of your life. Perhaps this is a time when you couldn't afford the next month of rent, or when a relationship came to a traumatic end. Imagine these kinds of experiences combined, and that you're about to have a baby, or you've just had one.
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This is the case for some of the residents at Karinya House, a supported accommodation service for women in Canberra who are post-natal and pre-natal. They currently have 20 residents: 10 babies, 10 women.
A partnership between charity Good360 and Big W meant that last week, car-loads of new, excess-stock items have been donated to the residents. In the haul were kitchen appliances, towels, linen, lamps, women's clothing, baby clothing, and toys.
"These are items I never got when I was younger. To receive these from Karinya and Big W means my kids will have nice things for Christmas, even though I can't afford it. They won't miss out," said resident Myalla Weazel.
"It's also good for me when we move out into our own house."
She's been living at Karinya since her daughter Yindi was two weeks old.
Another recipient of the goods is resident Jessica Dillion. She and Weazel moved in within two weeks of each other. They've been friends ever since.
Dillon has been a resident for six months, after going through a challenging time at home. She's also close to moving out of Karinya and says these goods have made her even more prepared.
Karinya has given Dillon more than Christmas gifts, but opportunities to try activities she wouldn't normally participate in.
"I've just started a powerlifting program. I wouldn't have done it outside of Karinya House, because I thought I would just get judged," said Dillon.
Property manager and senior caseworker Luisa Lopes, who has been with Karinya House for 18 years, says this donation has been a highlight for her.
"Karinya House is just over 50 per cent government funded, so for us to be able to give the women these brand new toys and kitchen appliances, it was beautiful. It was beautiful to see them so excited. One of our residents squealed with excitement."
While most of the goods have been distributed among residents, the rest is being kept for Christmas hampers which they normally fundraise for.
"Women come to Karinya House for lots of different reasons. We have women who come to us with drug and alcohol issues, mental health issues, domestic violence issues. We have women who come to us because they're new immigrants to Australia.
"Some women might be with us for a month, for two nights, or longer than six months. It just depends on what their circumstances are."
Karinya encourages residents to return to the workforce or education system, referring them to options which allow them to attend with their baby.
"Sometimes having a baby is the change agent for a lot of the women we work with. It's an opportunity for them to change the lifestyle they had because they're not doing it just for themselves, they're doing it for their baby.
"Helping Karinya House is an opportunity to change women's lives and also the futures of these babies. It's the future of Canberra."
