The Plate Up Project is an initiative by The National Homeless Collective to support women fleeing family violence or homeless women, designed to help them regain financial independence through hospitality training and links to ongoing employment.
During a two week course, twelve women who are experiencing homelessness or family violence complete a certified food safety certificate and training in nutrition and cooking. The aim of this introductory course is to reignite a love of cooking and nutrition. Participants will be taught and trained by professionals in hospitality and then offered the opportunity to continue onto a ten week training course that will involve training two days per week.
The Plate up Project gives vulnerable women in Victoria a chance to rebuild their lives through practical job training and employment opportunities. Surrounded by a new network and with their new skills, the women gain financial stability, increase housing stability and independence and importantly decrease trauma caused by repeat family violence and financial abuse.
The wider community also benefits from this program through greater awareness of family violence, more supportive employment opportunities creating less reliance on welfare and safer and more productive local communities.
The Plate Up Project was founded by Leela Cosgrove and Donna Stolzenberg. You can read more about it here: Melbourne not-for-profit to give domestic violence victims a hand up (Channel 9 News)
