Blessings bags bring hope and love to women in need
Blessings bags bring hope and love to women in need
26 October 2016
The blessing bags for women can include a range of toiletries, self-care items and Bibles.
“Blessings bags” for women establishing new lives in the community, and for those at risk of homelessness and other social isolation, are part of a new Salvos Women project in the NSW and ACT Division.
The bags will be distributed to women at “G House”, and to men and women at The Salvation Army’s Wyong Oasis Youth Centre.
G House is a community-based house in Sydney that is used as a transitional service for women who have been in prison and are transitioning into their own accommodation.
Captain Bronwyn Burnett, Petersham Corps Officer, has been visiting the women for Bible studies and mentoring, and will distribute the bags to the women there. “These ladies come in with nothing, so the idea is to support them with a Blessing Bag of essentials and a few niceties,” she said. “The women come and go so quickly, so it will be good to have something to give them so that they know the Salvos are here, and that they are loved and special.”
The manager at G House, who asked Captain Burnett to be chaplain there, has allowed her to place a Recovery Bible in each of the G House rooms. “If people would like to donate to these bags, we need more Bibles, especially Recovery ones, as well as toiletries and stationery,” Captain Bronwyn said. “We are also planning to have bags to give to the ladies at Christmas.”
The Wyong Oasis Youth Centre is essentially a space where people can drop in and have a shower and connect with a caring person. This centre is designed to meet the needs of those who are disadvantaged and at risk of being caught up in homelessness and other social isolation.
“The Blessing Bags will enable clients who come in off the street to have a shower and feel refreshed in whatever circumstance they are entering the centre,” said Lieutenant Joycelyn McIver, Divisional Salvos Women Coordinator.
“This project is all about supporting local communities and officers and staff on the frontline. We have received overwhelming support for this project, so it will be ongoing. This practical support will be in addition to the financial support we give the territorial women’s projects.”
Donations for the bags can include toiletries, Christian novels and colouring books, Bibles, and good quality self-care items.
For more information, contact Lieutenant McIver at joycelyn.mciver@aue.salvationarmy.org
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