Helping rebuild lives

RizeUp Australia
Committed. Passionate. Determined

Jodie Frisch is on a mission to ensure families fleeing domestic violence have everything they need to rebuild their lives.

Jodie works at RizeUp Australia, a charity committed to raising awareness about domestic violence and providing practical support to people escaping danger.

Families fleeing domestic violence often enter refuges with nothing but the clothes on their back. As Homes Manager at RizeUp, Jodie helps them furnish their new accommodation with everything they need to make it a home. She also helps provide clothing for their children and source essential items at a moment’s notice.

“How can you not help? How can you un-hear the stories? You can't, but you can do something to make a difference. Everyone can do something,” she says.

Jodie is known for her strong, loyal and kind personality. She treats everyone from all walks of life with compassion and empathy.

In addition to her refuge work, Jodie is a foster mum, and over the past nine years has looked after 36 babies in need of an emergency home.

Jodie feels grateful to be nominated as Westfield Local Hero. “It's incredibly kind, and I'm so grateful. There are so many deserving people in the world. I'm just one person, doing my little bit.”

Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities, with the three top finalists per Westfield centre each awarded a $10,000 grant for their affiliated organisation. RizeUp Australia will use its funds to provide over 50 counselling hours to survivors of family and domestic violence.

For further information on the Westfield Local Heroes program, click here