Empowering Communities
Kelly Keall, Engagement Manager
Anglicare WA’s commitment to social justice goes further than providing a wide range of services and support to some of the most vulnerable in our communities. We also work to empower communities to support themselves, building resilience, and fostering a spirit of self-reliance.
Two projects currently underway highlight this important aspect of Anglicare WA’s mission and are exclusively offered to Anglican parishes.
Standing Together: Addressing Domestic Violence through Community Education
One of Anglicare WA’s most significant initiatives in the coming year is Standing Together, a program designed to engage local Anglican parishes in the Dioceses of Perth and Bunbury in the fight against family and domestic violence. This initiative is grounded in the belief that communities can play a vital role in ending domestic violence by increasing awareness, providing support and fostering a culture of respect and safety.
Family and domestic violence affects countless lives, often behind closed doors. By hosting these workshops, Anglicare WA hopes to raise awareness within faith communities and empower individuals to think about how their actions and behaviours can have a positive impact in reducing the incidence of family violence. This approach encourages a collective, community-driven response to a pervasive issue, demonstrating that by standing together, communities can make a real difference in breaking the cycle of violence.
The Standing Together program consists of a free, 45-minute workshop delivered in churches across the dioceses from February 2025 to May 2026. The workshop aims to educate parishioners and the broader community about the signs and drivers of family and domestic violence, and equip them with the tools to identify, respond to and prevent such violence. Bookings are now open for any parish interested in hosting a workshop.
Image: Taking community action against Family and Domestic Violence
Church Community Fund: Building Resilient, Self-Sustaining Communities
Another key initiative from Anglicare WA is the Church Community Fund, which encourages Anglican churches across Western Australia to engage in local community development. Through grants of up to $1,000 the fund supports churches to carry out projects that address specific needs within their local context, helping communities to help themselves.
The Church Community Fund is a practical way for churches to become active participants in the wellbeing of their localities. Past projects funded by this initiative have ranged from community gardens to school breakfast clubs, and from community lunches to programs aimed at addressing social isolation. Each project is driven by the unique needs of the local community and the creativity of the church members involved. For example, a community garden funded by the Church Community Fund has not only provided fresh produce for those in need, but also served as a space for people to come together, form relationships, and engage in meaningful activities.
Each initiative fosters connection, builds community spirit, and empowers individuals to take ownership of the issues they face. Applications for the 2025 Church Community Fund open on 6 January 2025 and close on 14 March 2025.
Image: Community garden supported by the Anglicare WA Church Community Fund
Supporting Communities to Help Themselves
Both Standing Together and the Church Community Fund exemplify Anglicare WA’s commitment to building stronger, more resilient communities. These initiatives not only address immediate needs but also focus on sustainable, long-term solutions that empower local communities to become self-sufficient. By providing the tools, resources, and education necessary for communities to support themselves, Anglicare WA is helping to create a more compassionate and just society - one in which everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
For more information about Standing Together or the Church Community Fund, please contact Kelly Keall at kelly.keall@anglicarewa.org.au or visit our website www.anglicarewa.org.au/get-involved/parishes.