Meritorious award for Nadene
NADENE Alhadeff’s unwavering commitment and contribution to social justice and welfare programs at the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJWA) NSW was formally acknowledged with an Australia Day Community Service Award.
NADENE Alhadeff’s unwavering commitment and contribution to social justice and welfare programs at the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJWA) NSW was formally acknowledged with an Australia Day Community Service Award.
Alhadeff – one of seven recipients to receive the award by Randwick City Council – was recognised for her work in building and managing the Mum for Mum volunteer program, as well as educating the community on domestic violence and mental health issues through her role as co-chair of the NCJWA’s Status of Women program.
Speaking of her position as executive director and eastern suburbs coordinator for Mum for Mum – a program that provides emotional support for pregnant women and new mothers – Alhadeff commented, “I am passionate about what we do because I know we make a difference … I understand the profound impact we make on promoting secure attachment of mother and child, which has life-long implications for the life of the baby.
“But I also see how the volunteers learn and grow and feel a greater sense of self through giving of themselves.”
NCJWA board member Suzy Wolanski, who nominated Alhadeff for the award said, “With 2018 being the 10th anniversary of Mum for Mum in Sydney, it was gratifying to receive this recognition. We have an exciting year of programs and growth planned.”
Part of this growth – enabled by a $30,000 JCA donation from six young couples in the community – encompasses Mum for Mum’s expansion into Sydney’s North Shore.
Professor Marie-Paule Austine, chair of perinatal mental health at the Royal Hospital for Women and of St John of God Mother-Baby Unit, and an ambassador of the Mum for Mum program, gave the program a ringing endorsement.
“Mum for Mum provides a unique service that in my 30 years in the field I have seen many organisations strive for, but few able to achieve. That is weekly emotional support and ‘mentoring’ by the same highly trained volunteers for an entire year,” said Austine.
“I am particularly impressed by the quality of the supervision the volunteers are given and the calibre of the volunteers themselves.”
As co-chair of the Status of Women, Alhadeff has raised awareness about issues including domestic violence, marriage equality, suicide, mental health, grief and cross-cultural communication.
Always looking for new ways to benefit the community, Alhadeff is currently co-launching a new NCJWA program called Days for Girls, which provides feminine hygiene kits and education for girls in developing countries.
SOPHIE DEUTSCH
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