Project Esther

August 2006 marked the 11th Anniversary of Project

Esther becoming a Charitable Trust. Back in 1995

we were all just dreaming of what could be, and it’s

quite moving and humbling to ponder what has come

about over the decade.

Right from the start there have been co-workers who

have walked alongside and participated together in

seeing the empowerment of women and families,

with a bias to those at-risk.

Hundreds of women and their families have used

our activities and services. Hundreds of volunteers

have participated in providing Pre-school Music

and Movement, Parenting Classes, Sexual Abuse

Survivors Support, Post Abortion Courses, Women’s

Anger Management classes, Eating Disorders

Support, Single Mums Support, Women’s Prison

Support and Emergency Accommodation, all these

projects comprehensive in their own right. We’ve

been a place where women, with support, can move

on from domestic violence, isolation, debt, aloneness,

homelessness, addictions and more.

We have experienced success and tasted

disappointment. We remember our clients

and volunteers who have died as a result of

disempowerment, abuse and illness.

We’ve built up good relationships with other services,

eg. CYFS, Social Workers, Christchurch Women’s

Prison, GPs, Doctors, Midwives, Probation Services,

and the Christchurch City Council.

We’ve had generous funding support from varied

sources including the Christchurch City Council,

United Way, Lottery, COGS, Springhill Trust, Dove

Trust, as well as many individuals. Most significant has

been the relationship with Spreydon Baptist Church,

the source of all our volunteers and inspiration. Our

volunteers have shared our vision and passion that

people journey towards a relationship with Jesus and

experience God’s love expressed by His community

How can words express how I feel about the Trust

getting this far? As the Old Testament Esther used her

position to influence and advocate for the powerless,

as she was open to the cries of her people, I pray that

we will continue to be open and willing to see, hear,

and participate in empowerment.

Keep us in your hearts and pray for us, and keep

reading for an idea of what we are about!

Thanks so much!