About us
Supporting women and children in and beyond prison for over 75 years
Our Values
• We start with acceptance
• We engage unconditionally
• We make connections that transition from the inside to the outside
• We value family and community ties
• We fill the gaps
• We are here as long as you need us
• Our faith drives us
Our vision is for dignity, hope, and purpose for women in and beyond prison.
We journey with women in and beyond prison, providing the support and courage they need to navigate positive pathways and create change.
Our History
One day a young woman knocked on the door of Pentridge Prison and asked if she could visit the women locked behind its walls. She had a deep desire to make a difference in their lives. The prison matron was taken aback by her request but allowed her in.
This young woman spent time talking to the women, listening to their stories, and showing them kindness. When she left the matron said that if she wanted to, she could come back the following week. And so, Myrtle Breen, our founder, did. That was 1947 and Hope Network (Formerly Prison Network) has been going in almost every week since. The baton has been passed along over the decades. Hope Network has never swayed from Myrtle’s deepest desire. To make a difference in the lives of women in prison, to hear their stories, and show them kindness. Much has changed in the prison system, but Hope Network’s dedication to the women who are, or have been incarcerated, has not.
PENTRIDGE PRISON TOURS
The National Trust hosts tours of Pentridge Prison.
Some women we have worked with, and our long term volunteers, were involved in developing audio for the tour.
Meet our CEO
Amelia Pickering
Amelia is an impassioned change-maker with decades of experience in the NFP sector. Her avidity for leadership, academia, and social justice has underpinned her broad career, from executive roles in education and social enterprise to holistic grassroots program design and delivery across Africa and Australia. She holds several postgraduate degrees in Research and Social Impact, an MA in Theology and sits on various NFP boards in Australia and internationally.
Amelia provides leadership across all areas of Hope Network, with particular focus on strategic planning, building the team to support PN's vision, directing major growth initiatives and significant funding partnerships.
Leadership Team
LEAP
The inaugural Lived Experience Advisory Panel (LEAP) group was instituted in early 2021 and is made up of women who have been in prison and have been engaged with Hope Network.
The LEAP group provides expert independent advice to Hope Network. Its advice is based on its member’s personal lived experience of the engagement with the Victorian criminal justice system and Hope Network.
Hope Network considers a wide range of evidence to inform operations to achieve the vision of Dignity, Hope, and Purpose for women in and beyond prison. An essential part of this evidence is input directly from people with lived experience of being in, or beyond prison.
The LEAP group meets with our CEO monthly. We are incredibly grateful for their time and commitment and deeply value their advice and perspective and the impacts these have on our practice.
Meet our LEAP Panel
"I have wanted to be a voice for change and help the same women Hope Network is helping. It was clear to me the impact they were having on women, and I wanted to be part of it. I think I can speak for all of us when I say that Amelia has encouraged us to use our voices, be authentic and not to hold back. Our small group of women with lived experience of incarceration have been able to accomplish so much in such a short time. I want to thank Hope Network for giving our voices back and allowing us to be part of the conversation!"
— Pattie (LEAP member)
Our Partners
Many individuals, churches and community organisations give to Hope Network on a regular basis. We are incredibly grateful for their ongoing and loyal support. Hope Network wishes to acknowledge the major contributions from Trusts, Foundations, and partners including:
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