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What to Expect at Destiny Haven (Part 1)

The Destiny Haven program lasts for 12 months or longer, recognising that each woman’s journey in recovery is unique. The program is customised to each woman’s needs as they advance through the program at their own pace.

It’s fully immersive, with one-on-one and group components and it teaches women how to really understand the core thinking behind the symptoms leading to unwanted behaviours like addiction.

The caring and experienced volunteer staff members live on-site and are available 24/7 to support clients. Our residents must be involved as much as possible in all decisions about their care, including assessment, developing goals for treatment, individual care planning, evaluating outcomes of care, and decisions made about broader life issues such as accommodation.

There are seven key elements to our residential program that fall underneath two broad desired outcomes for our women: emotional and psychological wellness and practical life skills. The interconnection and flow are summarised in the diagram below.

In this first blog post (of a two-part series) we’ll delve into the emotional and psychological side of our program.

One-on-one counselling

Counselling is available to all residents and it is carried out by professional counsellors who must have appropriate experience, be a member of an endorsed counselling association, and undergo the required clinical supervision themselves.

Group therapy

Group therapy sessions are held weekly by highly trained clinical services staff. Topics explored include understanding boundaries, codependency, understanding anger, psycho-educational topics, understanding addiction and the addiction cycle, understanding complex trauma and its effects on the adult person and many more.

Individual learning modules

Twice a week residents work through modules at their own pace assigned by the Clinical Services Manager, depending on their own unique backgrounds and circumstances. The learning modules are based on a similar approach to the group sessions in that an individual’s underlying issues need to be addressed for long-term recovery to take place.

Art therapy

Many women who have participated in our program will tell us that much of their healing was achieved through the weekly art therapy classes. This process is designed to help women heal from many issues in their past that they may initially struggle to articulate in traditional talking therapy. We believe the art therapy sessions to be one of the most beneficial components of our program.

Next month, we’ll cover the second part of our program: practical life skills.

At Destiny Haven, every handmade chocolate, jar of jam, and unique piece of jewellery has a purpose that goes way beyond just being something to enjoy or give someone as a present. Through our social enterprises, we are not only raising funds to keep our programs running—we’re giving women a chance to learn valuable skills and gain real work experience. From creating gourmet treats to cleaning accommodation, the work involved in maintaining our three social enterprises is all about helping women build confidence, find purpose, and take solid steps toward a fresh start.

The Diamond Collection

Our first social enterprise is a boutique range of quality products handmade onsite in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales. The range is made with love and care by the Diamonds during their time as residents at Destiny Haven.

The Diamond Collection boasts a couverture chocolate range handcrafted with the finest Belgian Callebaut chocolate, jams and relishes made predominantly with fruit and vegetables grown on our property, unique jewellery pieces made using dichroic glass and semi-precious stones and handmade bags available in a unique variety of patterns—among many other things!

The Diamond Collection had humble beginnings in the early days of Destiny Haven, initially operating as a small cottage industry. The then-called ‘Destiny Delights’ range was birthed from the mix of generous and skilled volunteers, numerous supporters and of course the innovation and inspiration of the Diamonds. Some may even say it was… wait for it… destiny!

Today the range has grown to become a fully thriving and steadily growing social enterprise. You can shop in-person at Brookfield, or head here to the website.

Valley View Luxury Accommodation

Experience the ultimate rejuvenation at our premium getaway: Valley View, residing in the Eaglereach Wilderness Resort complex. Explore 640 acres of pristine bushland by foot, bike or four-wheel drive, then return to a magnificently-appointed lodge and enjoy breathtaking views of the New South Wales Hunter Valley, Barrington Tops, and even the Pacific Ocean.

Just over an hour’s drive from Newcastle, Valley View Luxury Retreat is a stunning country haven in an expanse of beautiful pristine bushland, populated by Australian flora and fauna—including kangaroos, wallaroos, echidnas, crimson rosellas and other bird species including wedge-tailed eagles. Set your own pace: enjoy a bushwalk or a ride along one of the local four wheel drive tracks; drink in the views from a six person outdoor spa on your own private deck, or sink down into the leather recliners in the living room and choose a movie from the wide selection to watch on the flat-screen TV. Valley View is also centrally air conditioned throughout and boasts a slow combustion wood heater for the cooler months.

Our Diamonds are responsible for cleaning Valley View and getting the accommodation ready before guests arrive, which is a key aspect of their employability skills training. You can book a stay at Valley View via the website.

Carriageway 

Anyone who travelled on the New South Wales rail network prior to 1989 would remember with some fondness the old ‘Red Rattlers’. Carriageway has five of the original carriages, four that have been lovingly converted to fully self-contained accommodation, plus the amazing dining room for the aptly named ‘Rattlers’ restaurant. 

Only four kilometres up the road from us at Destiny Haven, Carriageway is another integral part of the Diamonds’ employability skills training. They are responsible for cleaning the accommodation at Carriageway and getting it ready for guests, and they are also responsible for catering group events in the dining room, particularly during the festive season, but also for wedding receptions.

Book a unique getaway at Carriageway here, or book in for a memorable group lunch or dinner in the Carriageway dining room.

Life Transformation

Every item for sale and every experience offered through our social enterprises serves a higher purpose: transforming lives. Whether it’s creating something beautiful, welcoming guests, or preparing spaces with care, each task empowers our Diamonds with confidence, skills, and hope for a brighter future. When you support The Diamond Collection, Valley View, or Carriageway, you’re part of something deeply personal—helping women rebuild their lives and rediscover their potential. (Or perhaps realise it for the very first time. Many of the women who come to Destiny had never believed they could be anything.) Thank you for joining us on this journey of healing and renewal, where every product and every visit is a step toward lasting change.

The Story of How God Provided for Destiny Haven

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realise how close they were to success when they gave up.” Thomas A. Edison

Did you know that Thomas Edison failed more than 1000 times before he invented the light bulb? If he had given up on any attempt before that, there is a possibility you would be reading by candlelight right now… and not on a smartphone or a computer, either!

What would you have attempted in life if you knew you would not fail? Unfortunately, moving towards an impossible dream will always come with risk. However, If the dream is from God it keeps you going, hanging tough through difficult, often seemingly impossible circumstances to see the dream come true. 

Have you heard the story of how Destiny Haven came to be?

The church that originally owned the property where Destiny Haven resides gave us six months to vacate or buy it. The selling price was $1,000,000—and we had $0.

However, God had planted the dream in Janine’s heart way back in 1994 when she and Lewis were in residential rehabilitation. Janine vividly remembers sitting in the lounge room at the rehab where she saw a vision: she was surrounded by broken women on a rural property who had come to find healing from their life controlling issues. 

It would be 13 long years until Janine and Lewis finally arrived at Destiny Haven, and then, after only 18 months they were facing eviction. It didn’t make sense. So Janine and Lewis began praying for a miracle.

Within a matter of weeks, the first $100,000 came in the way of a gift from a precious woman who wrote that this was the seed of what would come. Over the next four months we saw smaller amounts arrive to add to this. However, we knew that if God wanted Destiny Haven to exist (and we knew He did!), then He would have to make it happen. 

With weeks to go until the deadline, we were still $200,000 short of the amount the church agreed to sell it to us for. Was it scary? Yes, but Janine and Lewis had walked the journey of living without a wage and seeing God come through time and again. So they stood firm, with many others believing with them for the impossible. 

Janine and Lewis approached banks for the remainder, but no one wanted to take such a risk on a couple with no collateral at all! Until they shared at a Rotary Club attended by the manager of a local Building Society, that is. He encouraged them to apply with his bank. It was at 4.58pm on the day of the deadline when he called to tell us the loan was approved. And today, after almost 20 years of operation, Destiny Haven has helped hundreds of women completely change their lives. 

Janine still believes that one day Destiny Haven will own a property close to our current location, where women can come and stay with their children. She has had an architect draw up plans for a chocolateria on-site where one day women can be employed after they complete the program… and the list goes on.

What are you dreaming for in your own life? 

There will be obstacles. There will be doubters. There will be mistakes. But with hard work, there are no limits. As Laura Ingalls Wilder said, “No one has ever achieved anything from the smallest to the greatest unless the dream was dreamed first.”

The Daily Routine That Transforms Lives

Healing at Destiny Haven is more than just therapy—it’s a carefully crafted daily routine designed to see broken lives restored to their full potential. From the moment the day begins until the final moments of reflection at night, every part of the schedule is thoughtfully planned to support recovery and personal growth.

Come join us for a day in the life at Destiny Haven, nestled in the tranquil Hunter Valley of New South Wales.

7.30am | Breakfast

The Diamonds* eat breakfast together as a group each morning. There are a bunch of standard breakfast items available, or they are able to purchase their own favourite foods to keep in the kitchen cupboards.

8am | Cleaning

With everyone pitching in, a rotating roster ensures that shared spaces stay tidy, but it also helps build a sense of responsibility and teamwork. Many of the Diamonds never learned how to clean a house in the past, so they are learning how to mop floors, clean toilets, and other jobs for the first time. The Diamonds spend this first hour of the day cleaning various spaces according to the roster.

9am | Devotions

Recovery has a bunch of different parts to it. The spiritual piece of the puzzle is the cornerstone of the healing process. Faith is fundamental to personal growth and recovery—almost every single graduate of the Destiny Haven program can testify to this. For about an hour each morning, the Diamonds spend time doing what they call SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer.

10am | Groups

The next two hours are spent either in work programs or in various forms of therapy: group therapy sessions, individual learning modules and art therapy.

Group therapy sessions are held by highly trained clinical services staff. Topics explored include understanding boundaries, co-dependency, understanding anger, psycho-educational topics, understanding addiction and the addiction cycle, understanding complex trauma and its effects on the adult person and many more.

The Diamonds also work through modules at their own pace, depending on their own unique backgrounds and circumstances. The learning modules are based on a similar approach to the group sessions in that an individual’s underlying issues need to be addressed for long-term recovery to take place.

As for art therapy—Diamonds who have graduated will state that much of their healing was achieved through the creative-art therapy classes. This process is designed to help women heal from many issues in their past that they may initially struggle to articulate in traditional talking therapy. Art therapy sessions are one of the most beneficial components of our program.

The work programs are related to our social enterprises, which provide employability skills training opportunities for the Diamonds. During this time of the day you will often find them making chocolate, cleaning Valley View and Carriageway, running events at times, making jewellery, sewing, ironing, washing, making jams and relishes—the list goes on!

1pm | Lunch

2pm | Duties

Our amazing volunteer, Carmel, comes in twice a week to teach the Diamonds about all things gardening. They absolutely love working with her in the garden, and the gardens look great because of it!

An important aspect of recovery is physical health. Exercise is extremely beneficial to our minds and our overall well being. Most women arrive at Destiny having led very unhealthy lifestyles. As part of the program, the Diamonds do a gym class once a week with Katie, our personal trainer, running everyone through their paces—and she does work them hard! The Diamonds absolutely love Katie, and gym is definitely a highlight in the week for many of the women (even those who initially are reluctant to take part).

Evening | After-Dinner Devotionals

Janine and Lewis join the Diamonds for dinner each night. Afterwards, they spend time in the Word together, and take part in a daily rhythm called the Thankful Books. Every single week night since 2007, each one of the Diamonds has taken a turn to hand write three things they are grateful for that day. There are now dozens of books containing years worth of collective gratitude!

The Diamonds can only play games in the evening once their homework is done. There is quite a lot of homework expected by each Diamond during their time with us—this includes two feelings journals a day, a SOAP, and then working through the different group work material set for that week. 

After writing in their journals, the Diamonds often choose to spend some time playing games together (Rummikub is a firm favourite!) before heading to bed. 

In amongst the daily routine there are weekly rhythms, too: Friday night is movie night, for example, and we currently have two volunteers who come every Monday and every second Tuesday to help out with anything that needs to be done.

In the structured, supportive environment of Destiny Haven, every moment of the day is designed to nurture growth, healing, and connection—empowering the Diamonds to rebuild their lives, one step at a time.

*Diamond = our affectionate name for the women at Destiny Haven. A diamond is formed deep beneath the earth’s crust under great pressure, extreme temperature and over thousands of years. When first discovered, a diamond is unrecognisable to most as anything of beauty. It’s only when the stone is taken by a master craftsman who cuts and polishes it to bring out the dazzling brilliance that its [her] true worth is realised. At Destiny Haven, it is our goal that every woman would know that she is priceless and significant—created with a purpose and destiny that only she can fulfil.

From Darkness to Destiny: A Journey of Hope and Healing

If there’s anyone who understands what the Diamonds are going through when they arrive at Destiny Haven, it’s our Co-Founder and CEO, Janine Epere. She and her husband, Lewis, have walked the journey themselves.

The daughter of Christians in full-time ministry, Janine is a talented songwriter, and by the age of 19 she had landed herself a contract with EMI’s publishing division, Castle Music. It was during this time that she started to dabble in drugs. By age 24 she was addicted to heroin and had started to sell heroin to fund her habit. When she was 30, Janine met Lewis in a hotel where they both sold drugs.

After their first child was born their drug use continued, and their relationship began to deteriorate. Janine and Lewis both started to feel completely hopeless and trapped. It was then that she recalled Sherwood Cliffs in Coffs Harbour, a place that took in families that needed help. The rest, as they say, is history. During this season of life, both Janine and Lewis committed their lives to God. 

“When Lewis and I spent a year in a residential program for addiction to drugs, our lives were turned around,” Janine explains. “All we wanted to do was help others live without using drugs and discover that our incredible Creator wants a personal relationship with each of us that is life transforming.”

The couple decided to head to Bible College to complete a Bachelor of Intercultural Studies, and during their degree,  spent time working at a drug rehabilitation centre in Spain. The next step: studying for a counselling qualification in preparation for opening their own rehabilitation centre. Janine says, “We always had a passion to one day establish a similar centre, especially catering for women to regain their life.”

Janine and Lewis chose a focus on women as there are so few places in Australia that support women solely, and they recognise the substantial benefit of single-gender programs in successful recovery.

A local minister offered the couple the use of a church-owned property at Clarence Town. The property was originally a residential centre for developmentally-delayed men, but had been unused for five years. The church withdrew from the project after a year, and Destiny Haven now stands on its own as a charity.

From the very start, Janine and Lewis stipulated that the centre was to be established as a faith ministry and that all staff were to be volunteers. 

“There is a reason for this,” Janine explains. “The women who come to Destiny Haven know that the staff are there because they want to be, not because it is a job. Broken people are very perceptive. They know if they are loved unconditionally or ‘put up with.’”

Janine works with our Diamonds 24/7 with an amazing resilience, passion, understanding and unconditional love. Her door is always open. Her passion, of course, is shared in partnership with husband Lewis and a team of incredible volunteers.

“I will never be ashamed of my story because when I finally overcame addiction, I know that my story has given me a much greater capacity to empathise and love unconditionally,” Janine says. “I also know my story gives others hope that change is possible, because the woman I was when I was a heroin addict was not a pleasant person at all! I know the depths in my own heart and I know the healing touch in my life of a God who never gave up on me, who never fails me and who gave me another chance at life that I will never take for granted.”

Janine and Lewis consider it an absolute privilege to do what they have been doing since February 2007.

“Our greatest joy is watching every woman journey towards freedom. The journey cannot be fast-tracked (though many wish it could be); but day by day, we watch as women let go of their pasts and grasp the truth of who they are; they come to know their worth and value to God. They truly begin to love and embrace the person they were created to become.”

Janine’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how broken a life may seem, there is always hope for restoration — and at Destiny Haven, that hope is brought to life every single day.