Your vote can empower women to move out of homelessness
Recently, Connie, a woman who lives at Calvary Women’s Shelter, wrote the following:
“What I mostly appreciate about Calvary is that they allow you to grow, attend meetings to keep you on the right path, teach you how to be responsible with daily, everyday living such as money management…Calvary has taught me responsibility, promptness, respect for myself and others, and how to be a team player.”
Connie is one of more than 1,300 homeless women in the District of Columbia. In the current economic crisis, that number is growing, and it does not include all of the women who are doubled up with family or sleeping on a friend’s couch.
Women like Connie often have histories of violence and trauma. They may be unemployed or working hard at low wage jobs. They may live with mental illnesses, addictions, or chronic health problems. Overcoming these challenges while living on the streets or in a large shelter with over 100 other women is nearly impossible.
Calvary Women’s Shelter serves 25 women each night. Though the women who come to Calvary face great challenges, we believe that every woman has gifts and strengths she can build on to be successful. We meet each woman as an individual, support her as she works to achieve her goals, and empower her to take control of her own life.
Each year, 60 percent of the women who come to Calvary move into their own homes. Many others take positive steps to prepare for independent living.
We are honored and excited that the Washington Area Women’s Foundation has recognized our work with a Leadership Award. An additional grant of $5,000, which we can win if we get the most votes in the 2009 Leadership Awards online vote, will make a big difference.
At Calvary, $5,000 can:
- Purchase 6 months worth of food for our dinner and breakfast programs;
- Support 2 months of life skills education programs; or,
- Provide 22 women with a year’s worth of mental health services.
These services make a real difference in women’s lives.
Since moving to Calvary, Connie has worked hard to overcome the reasons she became homeless, completed her GED, secured employment, and begun her search for housing.
Addressing Calvary’s supporters, she wrote: “Let’s all come together as one and continue to help women like me with a new beginning.”
Your vote will do just that. Vote now!
Kristine Thompson is the Executive Director of Calvary Women’s Services.
