UNEMPLOYMENT, health issues, and homelessness are among the challenges that a group of women will tackle with force later this year when they participate in the “Spirit of Transformation” program.
The Women’s Spirit Project’s Spirit of Transformation is designed for women aged over 25 who are overcoming life challenges. The ten-week program, which helps empower women who have lived through poverty, health issues, or violence, is now accepting applications.
The free program is available for women in the Kingston and Frankston local government areas. It will feature an hour of exercise each week, along with sessions covering learning and behavioural styles, goal setting, boundary setting, meditation, support services, health and nutrition, and reproductive health.
A participant from last year’s Spirit of Transformation said “before the Spirit of Transformation program, I had been unemployed for many years and isolated, I had no hope for the future. I recently got casual employment at a café and just started university. I was hospitalised for many years due to a chronic mental health condition. I felt hopeless and the pain just got worse. I was at severe risk of homelessness and extremely depressed.”
“My health worker asked me if I had heard about the Women’s Spirit Project – I was so scared walking into my first interview, I could feel the anxiety building up. I quickly learnt that the connection of being around other women going through hard times and going through my recovery journey with other people is not only possible but essential in me living my best life despite life struggles. I also built my confidence and learnt new strengths and values I did not know I have, like resilience and courage,” she said. “Completing the Spirit of Transformation program has been a life-changing experience for me. Before starting the program, I felt stuck in a very unhealthy place. I was welcomed into an inclusive, non-judgmental environment where I have been able to change negative patterns, cultivate a positive mindset, and develop healthier habits.”
Mentor recruitment closes on 20 March, and participants can apply until 24 April. To apply visit womensspiritproject.org/spirit-of-transformation-2025
First published in the Frankston Times – 18 March 2025