Our Journey Jacaranda Cottage was opened in 1992, following a vision of Jill Morante. Jacaranda Cottage got its name as the residence was situated in Jacaranda Road. The house accommodated three young women. Funding became available from the department of Community Services to fund a Full time position and a part time position at Jacaranda Cottage. In October 1995 Jacaranda Cottage expanded to two houses under the leadership of Melita Williams. One house was stage 1: a 24-hour care medium to long term refuge. The other house was stage 2: independent accommodation with case workers only attending the house once a week. In 1997 Lynelle Deadman became the lead tenant of Jacaranda Cottage. During this time stage 2 in Jacaranda Rd was closed down after deciding that resources and energies could be better utilised concentrating on Stage 1.    In 1998 Marty Armstrong became the live-in co-ordinator from and introduced weekend workers for the first time. These workers were employed to give the Lead tenant/Coordinator time away from the house. The Program underwent restructuring and development inclusing the development of a mission statement, vision statement and a transitional living program that included case management. Mission statement: ‘To facilitate holistic personal development that empowers young women to realise and reach their potential in life’. Vision statement: ‘To provide a safe environment which provides opportunity to: 1: develop independent living skills; 2: participate in a personal development program working towards goals in the emotional, physical, social and spiritual areas of life. In 1999 Kym Dixon began as co-ordinator. The staffing was re-structured so that Jacaranda Cottage became a semi independent medium term refuge.  This meant that Jacaranda Cottage no longer providing 24 hr care and the coordinator lived off site; however still provided a transitional living skills program facilitated by a team of part time workers and coordinator. The program again underwent major development under the leadership of Kym Dixon.  Prayer partners were introduced; the vision and mission statements evolved; a new philosophy was developed; a new casework model introduced; assessment and referral procedures were further developed, and an outreach program was introduced. In 2004 Melissa Mitchell took over as coordinator of Jacaranda Cottage with Kym Dixon becoming her supervisor. During this time Melissa Mitchell extended the week day shifts from a 7pm start to a 4:30pm start, introduced a new case management program and had renovation rescue and backyard Blitz to help Jacaranda look a little more homely. She also changed the program to allow pregnant teenagers to stay at Jacaranda. In 2006 Janelle Hofman became the coordinator. The pregnancy program ceased due to lack of demand and a need to consolidate resources. In June 2008 Jacaranda held its first official fundraising event – a Benefit Dinner. The aim of the event was to raise awareness and funds for Jacaranda Cottage. The event was held at The Naked Grape and attended by 91 people raising $6000. A further $6000 was kindly donated by people unable to attend the benefit dinner. In 2008 Melissa Fowler took over as coordinator of Jacaranda Cottage. A new logo was created to represent the evolution of Jacaranda Cottage over the past 16 years. The butterfly is symbolic of the journey clients undergo. A cocoon provides a safe and nurturing environment for a caterpillar to grow and transform into a butterfly.  Jacaranda Cottage acts like a cocoon to its clients; it is a supportive environment for young women to realise and reach their potential in life. Three words were added to the new logo to represent the heart and work of Jacaranda Cottage: hope, restoration, transformation. Jacaranda aims to impart hope, facilitate restoration and celebrate transformation in the lives of its clients. In November 2008 jacaranda was involved in the inaugural Cook Community Classic, a fundraising event for local charities in the Sutherland Shire. Jacaranda raised funds through selling elaborately decorated cupcakes – see our photo gallery of the event. In April 2009 we held a High Tea fundraising event themed ‘Pretty in Pearls’. 100 women turned out in support of Jacaranda Cottage and its work in the community. $3500 was raised. 2009 also saw some much needed renovations to the house, basically involving repainting and updating furniture.