The Match Program: The first steps to freedom

Once a victim of domestic violence herself, Escabags Founder and CEO Stacy Jane, now dedicates her life to helping abuse survivors escape dangerous situations. Her Escabags offer care and relief by providing the necessities individuals need to rest and recover in the critical, first 24 hours.

Giving people the tools they need to overcome their circumstances and take those difficult first steps towards self-reliance is what doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation Australia and New Zealand is all about. So, we were delighted to be able to match the funding that Wellness Advocate Marie Copp raised Escabags. The $15,000 in funding that the foundation donated in addition to the $18,000 Marie raised meant that $33,000 went to support Escabags incredible work.

By partnering with organisations like Escabags and Advocates like Marie Copp, doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation AUNZ empowers at-risk people and ensures vital, life-changing services continue. In 2020, the foundation donated over $600,000 to support people and communities experiencing poverty or distress.

Supporting Children: Stepping up for change

My Daughters received a Little Friends Scholarship last year to support both my daughter's trumpet lessons. My daughters both love music, it makes them so happy. After all the turmoil with domestic violence that we have and continue to go through, it is wonderful see them doing an activity that puts a smile on their face, gives them self-confidence and teaches them a skill that they can use for the rest of their life. 

Whilst the trumpet lessons are at school, we also participate in a Salvation Army band program which has created a safe environment for the girls outside of their school. One of my daughters was lucky enough to make it into the State Honours Ensemble program held through the Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane. Thank you so much Friends with Dignity for easing the financial stress associated with extracurricular costs. The emotional and financial effects of domestic violence don't stop when a protection order is taken out, the effects continue for years, often involving the court process”.

‘Friends with Dignity’ Sarah’s award Little Friends Scholarships, as a realistic support program that covers the expense of extra-curricular activities for children who are left financially disadvantaged as a result of domestic violence. The Little Friends Scholarship is an important step in helping children affected by domestic violence rise up and overcome their circumstances. That’s why doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation AUNZ decided to step up and make a difference too, donating over $50,000AU in 2020 to Friends with Dignity programs. Part of this funding has been used to support 71 scholarships.

Empowering Women: Women’s Refuge New Zealand

Support services for people affected by domestic violence have experienced a surge in requests during COVID-19. The pandemic itself does not cause violence, but it can mean abusers have more opportunity to perpetrate and conceal violence. Abusive people might withhold essential items from victims, use scare tactics about the virus to threaten their safety, or prevent them from seeking help.

Shielded Site is an online tool offered by Women’s Refuge New Zealand that helps put victims of abuse immediately in touch with advice and assistance, without the risk of an abusive partner finding out. So, threatened women and children can make a plan to safely get out of dangerous situations. Due to an increased need for discrete services during the lockdown period, this innovative tool is helping liberate women, children and whānau from family violence.

In 2020, doTERRA Healing Hands Australia and New Zealand donated $50,000AU to support the Shielded Site initiative by Women’s Refuge New Zealand. 

On top of these initiatives the foundation also awarded $250,000AU to support the vital services of other support organisations that offer vital services to those at society’s margins that have lost revenue or experienced increased demand due to COVID-19.