That realisation sparked a simple yet powerful idea – to offer a small token of kindness to these women, something that would remind them that even in their darkest time, someone cared. Mistakenly believing that, on any given night in Victoria, there were around 100 women who had escaped from domestic violence and were in hiding, she set out to let every one of them know someone was thinking of them.

Kathy, with the support of 12 friends assembled 100 small gift boxes filled with Rocky Road chocolates generously provided by The Chocolate Box together with a handwritten note. These boxes were then distributed to the refuges Kathy knew were assisting domestic violence victim-survivors. The true impact of that gesture became evident when thank-you notes began pouring in. One read, “This was the first Mother’s Day gift I ever received… which did not include a black eye.”

And so, Impact for Women was born – unintentionally, driven by a simple idea that grew and came to life, like a seed into a blossoming plant.

In its early days, the core idea behind Impact was straightforward:
Bring hope to women who had escaped extreme violence at home and were living in hiding.
Provide those things we take for granted… like a toothbrush and toothpaste for instance.

While refugees have become better resourced and equipped since 2006 (but still not enough) the harsh realities faced by survivors of severe abuse and homelessness persist. Today, Impact’s Bags of Love continue to provide a beacon of hope and a reminder that things can improve. In doing so, they also continue to bring smiles to the faces of these brave and resilient women.

As other refugees hear about Impact’s generosity and ask for Impact’s support too, Impact came to realise that the number of women in refuge as a direct result of extreme domestic violence was far greater than 100. At any given time, there are at least 2,500 Victorian women and their children, hiding in a refuge.

But with understanding of the gravity of the situation and the value of their impact, the charity that began in a living room has grown to meet the challenge. The 12 friends became nearly 2,000 volunteers of all ages, genders, religions and abilities wanting to make a positive difference in the life of a woman or child who has undergone devastating violence.

As Impact and its offerings have changed and evolved over time, one thing remains constant: its unwavering purpose, mission and vision. Impact may have grown and adapted, but its commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of women in need has never wavered.