NSW Regional Woman of the Year 2024 and Agape Outreach founder Theresa Mitchell is sharing the personal experiences behind her community work as the latest guest on the Wise, Wild & Woven podcast.<\/p>\n
Mitchell’s episode was released on 1 July as part of the 13-part series, which profiles women over 40 from regional and rural New South Wales.<\/p>\n
The Tweed resident, who founded Agape Outreach to support people experiencing homelessness and hardship across the Byron-to-Gold Coast region, said she was drawn to the podcast because it explored the realities behind people’s achievements.<\/p>\n
“I was drawn to the Wise, Wild & Woven podcast because it celebrates the stories of women whose lives have been shaped by experience, resilience and purpose,” she said.<\/p>\n
“Too often we see the polished version of success, but not the journey that got people there.”<\/p>\n
Mitchell said the episode explores challenges that many people were unaware she had faced, including domestic violence, financial hardship and raising her family as a single mother.<\/p>\n
“I was in a domestic violence relationship and was left when I was three weeks pregnant,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I struggled financially and experienced periods with no food in the house.”<\/p>\n
She also spoke about fostering 27 children over six years, hosting more than 250 international students and completing psychology degrees while working full-time and managing ADHD and dyslexia.<\/p>\n
Mitchell said being named NSW Regional Woman of the Year in 2024 recognised not only her own work but the efforts of Agape Outreach’s volunteers and supporters.<\/p>\n
She said the organisation began with a simple conversation.<\/p>\n
“As a single mother, I would often stop and talk with people experiencing homelessness,” she said.<\/p>\n
“What struck me was how their faces would light up simply because someone had acknowledged them.”<\/p>\n
Unable to ignore the growing need, she prepared a meal and took it into the street.<\/p>\n
“I went home, cooked a meal, took it into the street and simply asked, ‘Who’s hungry?'” she said.<\/p>\n
“What started with a single meal grew into relationships, community support and eventually Agape Outreach.”<\/p>\n
Mitchell said she hoped listeners would come away with a greater understanding that hardship could affect anyone.<\/p>\n
“Most importantly, I hope people feel inspired to lead with compassion,” she said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NSW Regional Woman of the Year 2024 and Agape Outreach founder Theresa Mitchell is sharing the personal experiences behind her community work as the latest guest on the Wise, Wild & Woven podcast. Mitchell’s episode was released on 1 July as part of the 13-part series, which profiles women over 40 from regional and rural […]<\/p>\n