A push in the right direction
Tue 30 June 2009
Amelia Bidgood, Journalism
The number of pregnant women on the Sunshine Coast who require physical, emotional and financial support has risen significantly, straining support organisations.
Places these women can count on for help were limited, but non-profit organisation Lily House helped these women in many ways.
Lily House was an inspirational organisation that was launched in March 2008 to provide a temporary accommodation centre for women to re-adjust their lives.
Lily House co-founder Deearn Cherry said that the organisation provided a safe place for women who were facing crises, from situations including abortion or if they had nowhere to live.
“Lily house is a concept that started out of a need for housing for young women,” Mrs Cherry said.
“It came about because a couple had purchased a house with that in mind, creating that sort of environment.”
The house accommodated girls aged from 13 years old, but the majority were over 25 years old.
The generosity of the community and support from businesses and individuals enabled the organisation to provide a safe environment.
Mrs Cherry said that the Lily House was the only establishment that delivered this type of support for young women facing these difficulties.
“We’ve got two homes opened at the moment and a third one that fills depending on the level of need at the time,” Mrs Cherry said.
Burnside State High School Supporting Teenagers with Education, Mothering and Mentoring (STEMM) program co-ordinator Jacqui Deane said that Lily house was an important partner in regards to the STEMM program.
“Many of our girls are in domestic violence situations, and often need to get out and be placed somewhere safe- Lily House allows us to do this,” Mrs Deane said.
Lily house recently held a “Pram Push” to gain community awareness and raise money towards their organisation and various other non-profit organisations who worked with Lily House.
The event started at Mooloolaba Primary school and aimed to include as many people pushing prams over a certain distance as possible.
Lily House Co-Founder Darin Browne said the event was not just about pushing prams, but pushing the future of the society.
“It’s easy to see a teenage single mother in the supermarket and criticize her,” Mr Browne said.
“What’s harder but far better is to help her, and that’s what Lily house is all about, helping young mothers to become great mums and be a positive influence on our society.”
There were officially 50 prams entered in the event, which was set to become an annual occurrence.
The long term vision for Lily House was to open a series of homes within the Sunshine Coast region and beyond.
Pregnant women in need of help were located in all areas across Queensland, but people were not informed about the hard times that these women faced.
Lily House hoped in the near future to open another housing establishment in Mackay.
This area was one of many in need of help, with women experiencing about 168 crisis pregnancies since the beginning of the year.
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