Gender Equality United States Project #25626

Open Doors to Change for 100 Homeless Women

by Women's Housing Coalition, Inc.

Open Doors to Change for 100 Homeless Women

Project Report | Feb 21, 2018
Opportunity through Housing

By Sarah Long | Development Manager

Resident

Thank you!

Because of your generosity our women and children are finding opportunity through housing. Your support has enabled them to become stably housed so that the real work can begin. For our 98 women and 30 children, your support enables them to tackle their challenges and recognize the opportunities in their lives.

For "Beth" that means being able to attend nursing school in order to make a living wage and support her children.

For "Tyra" that means being able to work with a personal trainer to get direction on becoming healthier through exercise and better nutrition so that she has to visit the doctor less often.

For "Esther" that means working with her case manager to address her mental health and get connected to the right resources in the community so that she can be the best mom possible for her children.

For our women and children, housing is the first step to a lifetime of stability and the first step in ending their cycle of homelessness. After our women and children are safely housed, they are able to address and work on the things that led to homelessness in the first place. Your support provides them with the tools needed to move forward - case management services, life skills workshops, health and wellness trainings, matched savings plans, and so much more. Your support helped provide “Beth” with the scrub suits she needed for nursing school, provided us with the ability to get a personal trainer to work with “Tyra,” and paid for case management services for all of our women. But before we were even able to provide these opportunities to our women, your support helped us provide safe housing.

Thank you for caring enough to give. Thank you for helping to end the cycle of homelessness and provide opportunity to our women and children. Thank you.

Mother and Daughter

Resident

Links:

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Nov 22, 2017
There Are No Throw Away People

By Beth Benner | Executive Director

Resident in our Linden House

“There are so many people out there lost, but they’re not throw away people. It makes people believe that they matter, ….whatever they go through, that something or someone out there cares. It’s an unfortunate situation when people are cast aside because they made mistakes or life has beat them down. And I believe that everyone needs a second chance…and it’s greatly appreciated by those of us that come here that really, genuinely wanted a second chance.” —Ronzi D, former WHC resident

There are no throw away people...
Ronzi said this in an interview last spring...
I think this phrase every day when I drive to work...
You show you believe this with your generous donations!

Ronzi came to Women’s Housing Coalition running away from a domestic abuse situation. She was homeless, angry, and hurting. In her mind, life had thrown her away, or as Ronzi said to me more recently, “Sometimes we throw ourselves away.” She had done just that.

Over time by working with a case manager, Ronzi became receptive to suggestions and started taking advantage of onsite workshops and programming that could help her deal with her anger. Programming designed to teach mindfulness and other techniques to deal with anxiety and stress helped Ronzi learn to breathe and take a moment before reacting angrily. Living in a supportive community helped Ronzi move past her negativity and deal with her anxiety, as well as, gain other skills she needed to stay housed.

Stable housing like ours allows people the chance to make mistakes as they become active participants again in our Baltimore community. Your generosity allows us to provide that stability. Because of supporters like you, Ronzi left WHC as a stronger, happier version of herself - better equipped to love herself, take care of herself, and not allow life to throw her away ever again. Stable housing becomes the base from which people work on mental health, addiction, PTSD, depression, and bodies that have been beaten up by poor nutrition and living on the streets. A stable roof allows their children to go to school and have a future. A stable home allows them to rebuild and nurture themselves and their families.

WHC ensures they have that roof over their heads so each resident has a chance to work on their future. Your generosity allows us to treat each resident as an individual with unique issues, hopes and dreams. As a result, we are able to craft our support offerings around their needs. We provide that stable roof and supportive programming such as wellness workshops, individual financial training, parenting classes, art therapy, job coaching, and more. Each dollar you give helps us ensure that there are no throw away people.

We can’t do this without you!

Consider supporting us on #GivingTuesday, November 28th. GlobalGiving will be rewarding organizations and donors all day long!

Residents

Resident and child

Links:

Visit our website to learn more about us.

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Aug 25, 2017
Celebrating Another Year

By Sarah Long | Development Manager

Group Photo

Recently a friend (Chanel) of the Women's Housing Coalition reached out to us about her birthday. She wanted to celebrate another year on this earth by giving back to the women we serve. With the help of her network, she coordinated a giveaway brunch for our residents. Food was catered, and each woman walked out with a bag of goodies - things like body soap, detergent, nail polish, and more. Even more important than the "goodies," the women walked away with deeper relationships with each other. It was an afternoon full of laughter and smiles for everyone involved.

"Sitting here this morning reminiscing on such a wonderful day yesterday. I thank you and the ladies of the Women's Housing Coalition for making my birthday a memorable one for myself as well as my guests. I thank you all for your love, appreciation, kind words, and most of all laughter," Chanel wrote me the day after the brunch.

With her presence, words and kindness, Chanel reminded the residents and staff of two things:

1. It is more important to give than to receive.

2. Take time to celebrate "Another Year."

For our women, this might mean celebrating another year in safe, stable housing and another year further away from their experience of homelessness. It might mean celebrating another year free of drugs and alcohol or another year without a major mental health breakdown.

For our families, this might mean celebrating the start of another school year for their kids who experienced spotty attendance before coming into our program. It might mean celebrating another year the mother was able to be there for her kids.

Today I want to take the time to celebrate another year with this organization and its inspiring residents and donors. Donors like you make each day at the Women's Housing Coalition possible. Because of your support, we can celebrate "Another Year."

Thank you!

Giveaways

Chanel and Her Network

Links:

Website

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