Self-care and retail therapy … a perfect combination for women’s day
BY LAUREN MARTIN
Residents of The Salvation Army Carinya Women’s and Children’s Service in the Illawarra (NSW) were treated to a fun and uplifting event on Friday 8 March as part of International Women’s Day.
Sonya Button, Program Manager at the crisis and transitional accommodation centre, said marking International Women’s Day was a beautiful way to encourage and empower women in the service who were experiencing homelessness, often as a result of Family and Domestic Violence (FDV).
“Being able to celebrate being a woman and being empowered by other women is really important … especially when you’ve had years of abuse and your self-esteem is really low,” she said.
The day started with a self-care session at Carinya, where those present made bath bombs and coffee scrubs. Then, thanks to Salvos Stores in the Illawarra, the women were treated to a Salvos Stores shopping voucher and lunch at a local store.
“At the Salvos Store we were in the bridal room, and the women walked up the staircase with red carpet and felt very special,” said Sonya. “Lunch was put on with lots of yummy cakes and rolls.”
Salvos Stores in the area are a big supporter of Carinya Women and Children’s Service, often running fundraising activities to support the service to bless women at significant times of the year, such as Mother’s Day and Christmas.
“They consistently help us when women are trying to establish tenancies with furniture and small goods,” said Sonya. “The connection between Salvos Stores and the collaboration we have is just amazing – it blows me away.”
