A Brisbane-based foundation empowering women from vulnerable backgrounds to overcome adversity has received a welcome boost thanks to a grant from the Milford Community Connection Program.
The Lovewell Foundation – which supports women experiencing domestic violence, trafficking, addiction, poverty, and other life-altering circumstances – used the funding to enhance both its operational systems and frontline support.
A Longstanding Connection Leads to New Support
The grant application was submitted by Alan Baker, Associate Director at Retirewell Financial Planning, who has supported Lovewell since its earliest days as the Hope Foundation nearly 20 years ago. His longstanding connection to the organisation, along with his deep-rooted belief in their impact, led him to nominate them for the Milford Community Connection Program.
“Lovewell performs an essential role in the community by helping vulnerable women and girls rebuild their lives,” Alan explains. “It gives them hope and love, and equips them with the tools and strength to build life skills and start again.”
Alan also shared that his connection to the aptly named foundation felt especially meaningful. “Lovewell Café sits at the top of Mount Gravatt – the very place where I proposed to my wife Julie almost 50 years ago,” he says. “It feels like this partnership was meant to be.”
Investing in the Foundations of Change
Milford’s grant has supported two critical areas of need for Lovewell. First, some of the funds were used to update and reconcile financial records, allowing the organisation to bring its bookkeeping back onshore and automate key systems. This administrative upgrade was further strengthened by the appointment of new auditors, laying the groundwork for stronger governance and future funding opportunities.
Second, the grant enabled additional social work support for three women in crisis. Two had been trafficked into Australia, and the third was escaping domestic violence. With the right wraparound services, each of these women was able to find stable housing and employment. One now works at the foundation’s social enterprise, the Lovewell Café, another has a job in a retirement village kitchen, and the third completed a pathology collection course and is rebuilding her life with dignity and independence.
Real Impact, Up Close
Lovewell Executive Director Annie Stonehouse is a psychologist by profession, with over 40 years of experience across the non-profit sectors, government, and private practice. She draws on her own lived experience to walk alongside women with understanding and empathy, and to Annie, it meant a lot to see the Milford team take a personal interest in the women’s stories.
“We were overwhelmed after meeting with Milford representatives and hearing they had selected us to be recipients of this donation,” says Annie. “It’s one thing to receive a grant, but it’s another to sit down with people who genuinely want to understand how their support is making a difference.”
That connection has sparked interest in growing the partnership even further, with the foundation eager to host Milford staff at Lovewell Café and explore corporate volunteering opportunities in the future.
Prepared for the Path Ahead
The operational upgrades funded by Milford have already proven vital in strengthening Lovewell’s ability to support vulnerable women. Annie says this new capability will help unlock access to government, philanthropic, and corporate support going forward.
“Milford’s contribution has supported the practical and the personal. It’s helped improve our systems while also changing real lives. We hope it’s just the beginning of a growing relationship.”
About Lovewell Foundation
Based in Brisbane, the Lovewell Foundation works alongside women who are rebuilding their lives following experiences of addiction, abuse, homelessness, incarceration, disability, and trauma. Through a combination of social work support, job readiness programs, and real-life work experience at Lovewell Café, the foundation helps women move toward financial independence, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose. Women aged 14 to 82 from diverse backgrounds are welcomed into the Lovewell community, where they are seen, heard, and supported without judgement.
The Lovewell Café is located at the top of Mount Gravatt, with a great outlook over the Brisbane CBD. Profits from the café go towards the work of the Foundation.
