Junior Chamber International's chapter JCI Illawarra is supporting the Wollongong Women's Refuge with a new fund-raising project it has developed called Soar Above.
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The chamber, made up of emerging business leaders, is calling for second-hand donations to help raise funds to buy essential items for the women's refuge.
Project founder and leader Louiza Clancy said Soar Above was about trying to ensure every woman in the Illawarra was safe and secure, and felt empowered.
Ms Clancy was president of JCI Illawarra in 2012 and is a past board member of the University of Wollongong (UOW) Alumni Committee.
She is presently the director of corporate partnerships JCI Australia national board and will manage the project for the next two years.
Ms Clancy said the partnership between Soar Above and the Wollongong Women's Refuge would initially bring hygiene and feminine products to women within the Wollongong Women's Refuge and its subsidiary houses.
She had the idea for Soar Above when she became aware of the growing need for the support, safety and empowerment of women in the Illawarra.
When she approached the Wollongong Women's Refuge, she heard how the most desperately needed resources were some of the most commonly used every day.
Ms Clancy's vision for Soar Above is to be able to provide such products free of charge to those women seeking the aid and safety of the Women's Wollongong Shelter.
"The foremost priority for this project to get off the ground is to gather the funds needed for the purchase and preparation of the packs," Ms Clancy said.
"Soar Above is currently seeking donations of second-hand goods donated by the general public to be sold at weekend markets, with 100 per cent of the profits to go towards the purchase of hygiene and feminine products for the Wollongong Women's Shelter. Second-hand goods can be donated at both Wollongong City Centre and University of Wollongong."
In the meantime, a not-for-profit board structure and constitution is being developed so Soar Above can be a stand-alone charity.
The new board will set tactical and long-term goals of the initiative, which is already gaining momentum with the help of a number of people who have already come on board to help, such as Alicia Crouch and Samantha Nguyen.
"I've got a team of young, active Wollongong citizens enthused and helping me already and with the strategic plan we have in place," Ms Clancy said.
"I believe this could be one of JCI's most successful projects."
