The next steps in your recovery from domestic abuse.

After the crisis period of escaping domestic abuse, for many women the path forward can be unclear or overwhelming. Still experiencing the impacts of the abusive behaviours endured, as well as facing financial barriers, it can be incredibly hard to rebuild your life without support.

We understand that economic and financial independence is a key part of rebuilding your life and breaking the cycle of returning to domestic abuse.

The Zahra Foundation provides programs, services, education and support that empowers you to take the next steps forward and build a life free from poverty and abuse.

Zahra is a safe space to reconnect with yourself and rebuild your life.

Zahra offers hope, when you are feeling trapped. 

Zahra offers space, to find your inner strength.

Zahra offers time, to focus on yourself.

Zahra offers support, when you have no one.

Zahra offers pathways, that you thought were never possible. 

Zahra offers choice, to build the life you want.

Zahra offers clarity, for you to find your path forward.

Zahra offers knowledge, to gain your independence. 

Zahra offers connection, when you are feeling alone. 

Zahra offers understanding, when no one else gets it.

Zahra offers community, when you need a circle of support.

“Zahra gave me the strength to move forward, to look after myself and my children and to build the life I wanted.”

- Zahra Participant

Our programs and services are centered around you gaining…

Financial Independence

Understanding your financial position and building skills and confidence in managing your money.

Economic Empowerment

Discovering pathways to education, training and employment so you can support yourself financially.

Personal Empowerment

Reconnecting with yourself and identifying your goals for your future in a safe and supportive space.

Explore the programs, services and grants we offer that can support you in your recovery journey…

  • Pathways to Empowerment

    Our 9 week program for women impacted by domestic abuse allows you to connect with yourself, identify your goals and take the next steps to realise them. Discover pathways to education, training and employment within a supportive, non-judgemental community, empowering you to build the life you want.

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  • Financial Counselling

    We offer a free service for women impacted by domestic abuse related debt and financial hardship. Our specialist, trauma and violence informed Financial Counsellors are non-judgemental and supportive in their approach and empower you with skills, knowledge and choices to build the life you want.

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  • Opportunity Knox Small Grants

    While recovering from domestic abuse, if you are experiencing financial hardship or facing barriers associated with the costs of gaining and sustaining education or employment, you may be eligible for our small grants program Opportunity Knox.

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  • Workshops

    The Zahra Foundation hosts a range of educational workshops that build skills and provide information that can support women in their journey to economic independence. The workshops are centred around tools, skills and information that can assist in entering and maintaining education, employment and training, such as financial literacy, budgeting, resume writing.

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  • Open House

    The Zahra Foundation “Open House'' morning tea is held once a month, providing participants with a safe and supportive space and access to information from key service providers across the range of services and programs that are available during recovery from domestic abuse that support building independence. It is also an opportunity to connect with the Zahra community.

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  • "After fleeing from a [domestic violence relationship] and being tangled in the debt from starting over again more than six times, the Zahra Foundation helped give me a sense of hope and made it possible to live a safe life with my baby … helping me with the financial debt that my [domestic violence] situation left me in."

    Financial Counselling Participant

  • “The professionalism of the reception and financial counselling staff was very reassuring. The counsellor helped me understand my financial options and my responsibility in that, which I really valued and made use of. I felt totally understood, accepted, and respected and that gave me confidence in myself to move forward and both be responsible as much as I could, but also to seek further help where required”

    Financial Counselling Participant

  • “I enjoyed learning how to handle life financially. The thing I enjoy most about The Zahra Foundation is how understanding my Financial Counsellor is. She is so gentle with her words and never judging. I have PTSD and the financial stress really has a significant impact on my depression. My Financial Counsellor always has the best words during our conversation that just keeps things smooth. I appreciate the details to care in word choices and the respect and dignity that is given. I appreciate that The Zahra Foundation understands that to get back up on your feet you first need a foundation to build on.”

    Financial Counselling Participant