Hours of tireless work was celebrated this week with the installation of an impressive cubby house at the Safe Woman, Safe Family centre in Pinjarra.
The cubby house was designed, constructed and decorated by participants in Bridging the Gap's Moorditj Mia Mia program.
The program teaches basic construction and employability skills to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disabilities in an effort to break the cycle of disadvantage and intergenerational unemployment.
More than 30 participants take part in the project, constructing 36 cubby houses over a 12-month period to donate to charities around the Peel regio.
Pinjarra domestic violence drop-in centre, Safe Woman, Safe Family, was one of the lucky recipients with their new cubby house installed on January 29 - to the delight of children at the centre.
The centre provides a safe space for women as well as holistic recovery programs and a range of classes, from dance to music and art therapy.
I don't think we could get a more deserving recipient for something like this.
- Bridging the Gap chief executive Tracey Davenport
Bridging the Gap program coordinator and trainer Paul Sweeney said Safe Woman, Safe Family were one of many worthy recipients around the region.
"I dropped in here to see if they'd like a cubby but we'll have plenty more that we try to donate to not-for-profits," he said.
Mr Sweeney, who has more than 45 years in the construction industry, said the Moorditj Mia Mia program was "rewarding" to oversee.
"The guys come in without any skills or not knowing or doing things but they gain confidence," he said.
"When they see it go from nothing to having the final product there, and they know that their hands did that, it's amazing to see.
"The guys put in the hard work and we help them to find a job or placement or work experience, but mostly jobs - we've got a few guys starting work this week and next week."
Safe Woman, Safe Family co-founder, Tanya Langford, thanked the team involved in both constructing the cubby and deciding to donate it to the organisation.
"We will definitely have some really happy children enjoying this cubby," she said.
"And while the children are having fun, the mothers will be happy too."
Bridging the Gap chief executive Tracey Davenport said it was an honour to make the donation to Ms Langford.
"Tanya has built [Safe Woman, Safe Family] up from nothing and is just getting on with grants and such and running on volunteers," she said.
"I don't think we could get a more deserving recipient for something like this."
For more information about Safe Woman, Safe Family, visit the website.
