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Queensland-based broker Jaeneen Cunningham is urging the broking industry to take part in a Ten Dollar Challenge to raise funds for crisis accommodation this summer.
Jaeneen Cunningham, broker and money coach at Etairos Finance and executive director of crisis accommodation charity, Safe Haven, is calling on members of the broking community to take part in a fundraising campaign on social media this summer.
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Safe Haven – a charity that she started with her husband to help women fleeing domestic violence (DV) find short-term accommodation – is running the Ten Dollar Challenge on social media – asking for donors to take photos of themselves holding $10, post it on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #TenDollarChallenge (and tagging @safehavencommunity) and challenging other people in their network to do the same.
Speaking to The Adviser about the challenge, Cunningham, who has been involved in the finance industry for nearly three decades, said that the holiday period can be an especially difficult time for women at risk of or experiencing domestic violence.
With the festive season bringing additional stress, many women find themselves without the financial means to provide for themselves or their children. For some, these struggles are compounded by financial abuse, a tactic often used by perpetrators to control their partners.
“Holidays like Easter or Christmas can be a bit of a nightmare for women and children because the escalation of violence is heightened. It’s a time when men drink more, and their behaviour can become unpredictable and dangerous. For women still in these relationships or those who have recently left, the financial strain is overwhelming. Many of them don’t have access to money due to the financial abuse they’ve experienced,” Cunningham said.
Inspired by other viral charity challenges, such as the Ice Bucket Challenge (a phenomenon that raised millions of dollars for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis [ALS] in 2014), the Ten Dollar Challenge encourages individuals to donate $10 to help provide essential resources for women at Safe Haven.
The charity operates with 500 registered homes across Australia, which are donated by community members, including empty-nesters and older individuals seeking companionship. These donated spaces provide a safe place for women to stay while they rebuild their lives.
“Ten dollars may not seem like much, but when thousands of people contribute, it makes a big difference. It’s the ripple effect. Many hands make light work,” she said.
“We ask people to donate $10, and through that collective effort, we can provide gift cards for grocery stores like Coles and Woolworths, allowing women to buy what they need for the holiday season.
“We want to give these women more than just a roof over their heads. We aim to create a supportive community where women can feel safe, find solace, and begin to heal. The response from the community has been incredible – so many people are willing to open their homes and hearts to these women.”
Cunningham and her husband, Paul, have been involved with Safe Haven for years, personally donating 30 per cent of everything they earn to the organisation.
“We’ve put hundreds of thousands of dollars into Safe Haven over the years because we believe in its mission. But it’s not just about the money – it’s about awareness. So many women are suffering in silence, not knowing where to turn for help,“ Cunningham said.
“We don’t have the marketing dollars to get out there and advertise. But we know that brokers are always talking to people about their finances and might even be in front of people who are in coercive control.
“We hope that our fellow members of the broking industry might be able to spare $10 this Christmas. If there’s 21,000 of us around Australia, imagine if 1,000 people just donated $10 and that’s going to somebody else in need.
“It’s not going to make or break you to give $10. But imagine if, as a broking industry, we could actually protect people from domestic violence.
“Give $10, spread the word, and help make a difference. Every small act of kindness helps us create a ripple effect that can change lives.“
You can find out more about the Ten Dollar Challenge here.
If you, or someone you know, is impacted by domestic and family violence, the following transactions and services may assist in establishing and maintaining safety:
1800RESPECT is available for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week to support people impacted by domestic, family, or sexual violence. Call 1800 737 732.
Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS) provides 24/7 support to all people affected by domestic/family violence. This includes people who are subjected to violence and abuse and people who use violence and abuse. Call 02 6280 0900.
Call ‘000’ if you are in immediate danger of physical violence.
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