The GIANTS and Sydney Swans are joining forces with Women’s Community Shelters to raise much-needed support for their crisis accommodation services.

The partnership was formed in the lead-up to Sydney Derby XVII to support the local community of both clubs.

Women’s Community Shelters (WCS) is an Australian charity that provides emergency accommodation across New South Wales for women and children who are escaping domestic violence and homelessness.

Working in partnership with local communities, WCS offers vulnerable women active case management, support and the chance to start anew.

Six shelters are in operation across NSW - including in the Northern Beaches, Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai, Great Lakes, the Hills district, Nepean and Bayside areas - but existing services cannot meet demands.

More than 50 per cent of women who seek a bed in a crisis shelter are turned away every night, mostly due to lack of space. Many more don’t realise they can ask for a safe place to go. 

“The partnership between Women’s Community Shelters, the GIANTS and Swans offers a unique opportunity to raise awareness around the issues of domestic violence and homelessness, by allowing for greater community engagement,” WCS CEO Annabelle Daniel said.

“Through our partnership with the GIANTS and Sydney, we will be able to promote the work we do, assisting vulnerable women and children, to a new audience.

“We look forward to developing the partnership across the coming months.”

The vision of WCS is to expand their network to at least 10 shelters across NSW by the end of 2020 by adding new shelters in Parramatta, Camden and south-west Sydney. 

The GIANTS and the Swans have teamed up to assist and are encouraging fans from both clubs to do the same.

You can help Women’s Community Shelters continue their vital work by making a donation at womenscommunityshelters.org.au.