Introducing the Smile It Forward Project
Aug 23
Yesterday I announced the launch of a new Mummy Smiles initiative – the Smile It Forward Project!
…for every Mother who has lost her smile, there are hundreds of women who will gently give her one of their own.
Natalie Birt
The Smile It Forward Project is an avenue for mothers, and friends of mothers, to be able to identify and assist other Mums in need. We have been blessed with a beautiful and positive community here, and many of you have commented on how important it is to you to be able to offer support to each other in times of need. So this Project will be a collaboration of all of us – Mums helping Mums, and offering a smile to those who need it most.
Being such a new idea, and already having taken a few weeks to get off the ground, I would love to hear your feedback and input about how we can really make a difference. But I figured, the sooner we launch, the sooner we can start helping others.
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This week I would like to introduce you to an organisation that I connected with after seeing their request on Givit. I spoke with the Shelter Manager who facilitates a Domestic Violence Refuge for women and children. This particular refuge is the biggest in South-East Qld and provides shelter to women and their children for anywhere from 1 week up to 12 weeks. When the women arrive, it is usually with little more than the clothes on their backs. They are offered shelter, safety, clothing and protection. The refuge supports the women in deciding whether to return to their homes or to leave, in which case they are assisted in finding new housing, employment, new schools for the children, access to legal professionals to contend with court orders and safety planning. Counselling is also a major component of the refuge programme.
Domestic Violence continues to be an issue that is rarely discussed in our society. Victims are often ashamed to have found themselves in such a situation, and may never have asked for help due to embarassment, and fear of retribution from the perpetrator.
These women are just like you and me. They come from all backgrounds, all cultures, all ages, all jobs and careers. They are the 1 in 3 women who have faced sexual or domestic violence in Australia. It’s very likely that you or someone you love has been in the situation that these women are in. So when these Mums bring themselves and their children to the refuge, they are showing enormous strength and incredible resilience. Can you imagine bundling your children up in the middle of the night, and knocking on a strange door, asking for help? And now imagine being told that there is no room available. Because the tragic facts are that the instances of Domestic Violence are increasing in our society, and yet there has been no increase in funding and no new beds created, for more than 20 years. Sadly, the refuge is incredibly, exhaustingly, and overwhelmingly busy.
How do we help???
There is often such limited resources available to these refuges, that the primary emphasis is on providing support and guidance to the mothers. Children often feel scared, anxious and traumatised by what has happened. The refuge would like to be able to provide little Packs of Love to the children to help them settle into the refuge and their new lives. These packs will also help them to start at new schools, as they will often not have been able to collect their belongings from their old school.
These packs could contain any or all of the following:
- backpack
- scissors
- pencils
- colouring in pencils
- felt pens
- colouring in books
- story books
- glue
- sharpener
- ruler
- pencil cases
Oh what a lovely idea Nat , Looks like im off to see wat lovely things i can buy and send
Thank you Jeni! Your support is most appreciated!
Good afternoon Nat
Our son has aspergers and is on the autism spectrum. I got a lot of help from a support group of mums helping mums – autism behavioral intervention qld. I don’t know if that’s any help to some of your community.
Kim
Thanks Kim
great idea. count me in
Fantastic!!! Thank you Jess!
Good on you Natalie! Awesome idea! Great charity to start with! Lovely quote by you at the start.
When I’m over being sick, I’ll send up some goodies.
Thank you so much. Your support is truly valued!
Looking foward to seeing how I can help from little old new Zealand!
You really are too kind
Excellent idea, Nat. I always thought if I won the lotto (would help if I played, lol) I’d set up some type of refuge for anyone who needed help. But as my hubby always says to me ‘You can’t save the world’, lol, but we can try . . . right! I’ll stock up on goodies and see what my kids have here they’re not using. You have a beautiful heart Nat, God bless you for being you! XOXO
Jules thank you so much for your support – it means a lot
Wonderful idea Nat – I will get all the mum’s from my little mother’s group here to put together a collection and we’ll send it to you in bulk. Bravo!!
Karen – what a fabulous idea. Thank you so much to you and your mother’s group for your kindness
Nat, a FABULOUS idea for a very worthwile project. This won’t cost much in terms of time or money and I like the options provided. Too often, it’s the kids who miss out on these types of things when life throws them a curve. People remember the shelter, food and clothing, but it’s these comfort type items that are just as important!
I hope that you will be able to put together a great number of packs. I will collect and send some items up to you in the next few weeks. Cheers, Donna.
Nat, I’ve also further shared this on my FB wall with a little write up, so I hope that you do receive a lot of response. Even those of us who are on a tight budget can manage to send something along. I’ll keep this project in my mind every time I go to the shops and see how much I can manage to send up before the end date.
OMG! I have to read all this! I’m sure since now that it must be a beautiful proyect but is to much English! But “I have to” tonight =)
This is great, will keep an eye out next time I’m at the shops x
Thanks Kyra!!
Oh NAT I have just been through your blog and found out about this. I am so sorry that I have only just now become aware of you Smile It Forward Project. Please know that from here on in, I am so completely aboard this and will help out in anyway I can. You are a gorgeous soul xx
THANK YOU Sonia! I am thrilled to hear such enthusiastic and positive support for the Smile It Forward project! There will be many opportunities and I understand that not everyone will be able to help on every campaign, so your support when possible is MOST appreciated!