14 NOVEMBER 2025
Each year, more than 9,000 people turn to Ruah Community Services - one of Western Australia’s leading organisations supporting people affected by domestic violence and homelessness.
Many arrive with nothing, seeking support and a fresh start, and it's small acts of kindness that remind them they are not alone.
Through our ‘10 for 10’ community initiative, Elizabeth West from the Project Governance team in our Perth office, nominated Ruah for a grant of A$10,000 to support its Dignity Drive. This initiative is responsible for delivering 500 essential toiletry packs to people experiencing hardship – providing comfort, dignity and care at a time they need it most.
We asked Elizabeth how she came to be involved in Ruah and what inspired her to nominate them for a ’10 for 10’ grant.
“Last year, I began fundraising with a friend who is dedicated to animal welfare causes across Australia and Africa. This opened my eyes to the root causes of Australia’s animal welfare crisis and the strong links to domestic violence and homelessness,” she said.
A lack of safe accommodation for pets is a major barrier preventing many victims of family and domestic violence from leaving unsafe homes, and pets are frequently among the earliest targets of violence in these situations.
This is a scenario Elizabeth witnessed first-hand through volunteering at her local Dogs’ Refuge Home. Hearing from people willing to endanger themselves to protect their pets revealed that this crisis cannot be viewed in isolation.
This journey led her to Ruah, whose holistic approach recognises recovery from homelessness and domestic violence must include every member of the family, people and pets alike, each deserving safety, stability, and compassion.
“No one in Australia is untouched by the crises Ruah faces every day, and the data reflects a dangerous gender gap with women increasingly at risk,” she said.
To Elizabeth, this reinforces why the work of Ruah is so critical – because every act of kindness, no matter how small, can change a life.
Through this grant, we’re helping Ruah continue its 60-year legacy and ensuring hundreds of women can access not just essential items, but a sense of dignity and hope as they rebuild their lives.
Find out more about Ruah Community Services here (ruah.org.au)
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