‘Family violence hurts its littlest victims the most.’

It’s the quote that greets you as you click to the website of Victoria-based charity, Berry Street and that message lingers for quite some time. They ought to know, too, because Berry Street has helped thousands of children recover from the trauma of abuse and neglect over the past 140 years.

Berry Street delivers against its mission in a variety of ways: through foster and residential care; therapy programs; education; and family support services. This is an organisation that also advocates for change and awareness on the systemic issue of family violence and child abuse, and the cradle to grave associated issues of substance abuse and intergenerational disadvantage, and innovating to find better solutions to these wicked problems.

Berry Street is looking to a better future for children subjected to abuse and neglect – who will then build a better future for Australia.

Imagine the trust you have in your family and your primary caregivers being shattered. Imagine that happening when you are very young, with no voice, nowhere to run, and no way of knowing there is a better way of life.

Imagine being a baby so traumatised by your environment that you don’t cry, don’t move and don’t laugh.

Imagine knowing no other way than violence, imitating this behaviour and being excluded from school and friendship. When you’re nine years old.

Imagine being three years old and being so badly that your hip is broken – and your Mum is eight months pregnant.

These are the stories of real children. They don’t have to imagine. You can read all these stories on the Berry Street website.

Berry Street receives over 1000 family violence referrals a month. The charity provides services primarily to the metropolitan Melbourne area and farther afield in Victoria. Berry Street’s vision is that all children should have a good childhood, growing up feeling safe, nurtured and with hope for the future.

“If that vision isn’t realised, if we don’t do what we do, families and children suffering from trauma and neglect would receive bare minimum support,” says Melinda Octigan, Corporate Relationships Manager at Berry Street. “Without the large number of services provided by Berry Street, there would be a huge strain on existing services for our clients.”

People and businesses support Berry Street’s efforts to achieve this vision, in addition to receiving Government support. The charity receives direct donations through its fundraising initiatives, people participate in community fundraising activities, people volunteer to be foster parents. Berry Street also has strategic partnerships with companies like Vanguard, and receives great support through workplace giving programs. In fact, corporate partnerships and workplace giving generates approximately nine per cent of Berry Street’s overall annual income (excluding government funding).

“Workplace giving donations supplement government funding which enable innovation for programs,” says Melinda. “Berry Street’s current workplace giving donations support a number of programs. As a specific example, Vanguard’s donations are driven towards the Turtle program.”

Berry Street’s Turtle Program is one of the few programs in Victoria providing therapy to help children re‑connect with their mothers after they are both involved in frightening experiences of violence and abuse. Children can feel unsafe long after violent events have happened. This can have a damaging impact on children’s sense of security with their parents, impairing their early development. This therapeutic program helps children and mothers rebuild a trusting and healthy relationship with each other, and helps them enjoy a safer and happier childhood.

In the immediate future, funds raised through workplace giving programs will enable new therapeutic rooms to be renovated in the northern region of Melbourne, including a playroom to be built for mothers and children.

“Workplace Giving is a simple, yet powerful, way for employees and employers to help us to deliver services to the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children and young people in Victoria,” says Melinda Octigan. “It enables employers to demonstrate their commitment to the community by making regular charitable donations”.

If your company has Good2Give’s workplace giving program in place, you can donate to Berry Street while you work. If not, visit the charity’s website to support their life changing programs, services and innovations.