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RAV HOME » Services » Forced Adoption Support Service » Small Grant Funding - Funded Projects
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Relationships Australia Victoria (RAV) is pleased to advise that the following projects have been funded by our Forced Adoption Support Service.

Current Projects 

Applicant Project title Project description Expected completion
ARMS Taken Not Given – Memorial Statue Booklet This project will publish a booklet including photos and speeches from the 2018 unveiling event of ARMS’s statue, “Taken Not Given”. This project aims to include and connect with the many ARMS members who were not able to attend the unveiling in person. May 2020
VANISH Writing as Therapy Workshops This project involves running two separate therapeutic writing workshops to target the needs of individuals affected by past and forced adoptions; one for adopted people and one for natural parents. September 2020
ARMS National Network Proposal Project The National Network Proposal aims to bring mothers affected by forced adoption together from different states to form a national network. This network will capacity-build participants in how to run support groups for other mothers, offer education and skill building, and will promote concerns and interests around forced adoption in every state and territory in Australia. April 2021
ARMS ARMS Banner Rejuvenation Project This project will restore the ARMS banner created years ago as part of a healing workshop. With a name change and many years having passed, ARMS will restore this banner during a series of workshops focused on women identifying a season that best represents their relationship with their child, and using dialogue and creativity to mark this on the renewed banner. May 2021
VANISH Mental Health and Diversity Training VANISH staff and volunteers will receive customised training on mental health first aid, self-care, and LGBTIQA+ awareness. May 2021
ARMS Digitisation of ARMS’ History - Section 1 This project aims to secure the history of ARMS and ensure it is available into the future by digitising their extensive organisational history. Digitisation will improve storage, protection and access to the vast amount of documentation that ARMS is holding. November 2021
VANISH Supporting Fathers Affected by Past and Forced Adoption This project involves running two separate therapeutic writing workshops to target the needs of individuals affected by past and forced adoptions; one for adopted people and one for natural parents. November 2021

For more information about these projects and upcoming funding rounds, please call the Forced Adoption Support Service Coordinator on 1800 21 03 13.

Past Projects

  • 2018, December: ARMS -  Victorian Regional Outreach Support Groups in Ballarat and Traralgon.
  • 2018, June: ARMS – Mildura Outreach Advocacy - Mildura Outreach Support Project continuation - Aimed toincrease advocacy and support to women in the North West of Victoria affected by past forced adoption policies and practices. ARMS facilitated four support groups and worked to increase local awareness.
  • 2018, February: VANISH – An art therapy course, specifically designed to target the needs of adoptees, was delivered.
  • 2017, November: ARMS –Self-healing event - A one-day event featuring speakers and a therapeutic activity. Held for women who have lost children to adoption.
  • 2017, November: ARMS – An IT consultant was employed to update the organisation's website, construct a social media presence and train members in the maintenance of these information and support platforms.
  • 2017, August: Adoption Origins Victoria Inc - A facilitated retreat was held to build individual and organisational capacity via the development of an organisational plan in a team strengthening environment.
  • 2017, June: Adoptee Round Table Think Tank (ARTT) - A two-day gathering of adoptees to discuss their particular support needs for the future.
  • 2017, June: Connections UnitingCare – Mental health first aid training delivered to equip staff providing adoption programs with the skills to better meet the mental health needs of those affected by past forced adoption policies and procedures.
  • 2017, June: VANISH - Raising awareness of the effects of past forced adoption policies and practice in Mildura and Horsham regional areas. Facilitating regular support groups in Mildura.
  • 2017, June: VANISH – New and existing support group facilitators of metropolitan and regional groups attended training to improve their skills in group work facilitation.
  • 2017, May: VANISH (Victorian Adoption Network for Information and Self Help) - Two events were held to commemorate the State and National Apologies for Forced Adoption, in October (2016) and March (2017) respectively.
  • 2017, May: VANISH (lead agency) and ARMS – Initiatives to increase awareness of existing, jointly run regional support groups.
  • 2017, May: Association Representing Mothers Separated by Adoption (VIC) (ARMS), previously Association of Relinquishing Mothers (VIC) (ARMS) - Develop the skills of existing support group facilitators so that they are able to better assist attendees.
  • 2017, May: ARMS - The updating and printing of two ARMS publications: an information pamphlet and a booklet marking the 30th anniversary with the aim of increasing community awareness of the loss and trauma of adoption.
  • 2017, March: Independent Regional Mothers (IRM) (Auspiced by Wellington Shire) – Cherished memorial - A bronze statue memorial was installed in Sale, Gippsland to record the National Apology and subsequent Victorian Apology to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices.
  • 2017, January: Lauren Howe (Auspiced by Lyrebird Community Centre) - Understanding Adoption Peer Support Group - Monthly peer support and information group for adult adoptees designed to increase support options for adult adoptees in the south eastern suburbs.
  • 2016, June: Anglicare - Digitising over 2000 catalogued photographs of babies, children and children’s homes; to improve storage, protection and access to archival material.

 

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