• New Grant from Catherine Holmes Wilkins Charitable Foundation for SOS

    on 12/31/2021

    A new grant was received from Catherine Holmes Wilkins Foundation for the Starting Over Support Program in the amount of $3,000. Grant writer was Stephanie Reimer.

    -Submitted by Kathy Friedrich, Grant Writing Chair 2021-22 12/23/21

  • SOS quotes from DAWN

    on 11/08/2021

    “I was so surprised when I got to my room at shelter and my advocate showed me my welcome basket! I didn’t have anything and I was so worried about having to buy laundry soap and toothbrushes and toothpaste for me and my kids because I had to leave everything behind. It made me feel so welcome and taken care of. Thank you for everything!”

    “Thank you so much for my beautiful welcome basket. It had everything I needed, and I was so grateful. When my advocate showed me everything and told me it was all mine to have, in that moment I felt more like a cherished guest than a client. After all the stress of fleeing and finally escaping my abuser, it meant so much to have all the necessities taken care of. Thank you for thinking of us and taking a little bit of the burden off our shoulders!”

    “When I got to my room and saw the beautiful welcome basket, I felt so relieved. I knew coming into shelter was the right choice but I was worried it was going to be a sterile environment for my family. The welcome basket helped us all feel like we were home and I didn’t have to worry about how I was going to supply these things for my children.”

    “I had been fleeing for a while, so getting to shelter and finally having some thing I could call ‘mine’ was incredible. Being able to do laundry and having soft, clean…

  • New Grant Received from Horizons Foundation

    on 08/20/2021

    We have received a new grant of $6,000 from Horizons Foundation for the Starting Over Support Program. Grant writer was Stephanie Reimer.

    -Submitted by Kathleen Friedrich, Grant Writing Chair 2021-22, Added 8/20/21

  • Delivering to DAWN. Smiling through the smog!

    on 09/17/2020

    Assistance League members, Debbie Palmer and Kendra Valentine, venture out into September’s toxic smog to deliver 15 much-needed baskets to DAWN, which will help women breaking free from violent home situations. During a global pandemic, and historic wildfires burning up and down the West Coast, it is easy to forget the continued urgent needs in our own community. As always, Assistance League of the Eastside members are here to help fill the gaps as much as we are able. Debbie’s bulldog even came along on the delivery to provide moral support!

    -Submitted by Kendra Valentine, ALE member 9/17/20

  • The 1st day is always the hardest

    on 08/31/2020

    An additional note of thanks from the Lifewire Team 🙂

    Whenever we have a transition, the 1st day is always the hardest. Whether, it’s the 1st day of school, 1st day in a new job, or especially the 1st day in escaping domestic violence. Starting Over Support partners with LifeWire to make this transition a little bit easier for these women and their families, and, we are glad that we can help! A note of gratitude from our wonderful partner, LifeWire:

    “Thank you so much for the Starting Over Support (SOS) Baskets – they make such a difference in the lives of the families we serve. The SOS Baskets are a lifesaver for the new families moving into our emergency shelter and transitional shelter. They really brighten each family’s first day! Thank you! ♥

    Thank you! You are wonderful! ♥

    Gratefully,
    Kelly Becker
    LifeWire | Development Director”

    -Submitted by Kathleen Charles, SOS Co-Chair 2020-21

  • Starting Over Support Committee – Agency Delivery

    on 08/28/2020

    Pictures of SOS Committee members making a delivery, at the end of May 2020, of Bulk items and Baskets containing basic household items to one of our Agencies that our committee supports in helping individuals and their families fleeing from Domestic Violence. The agencies enable the individuals to begin new lives in safe, violence-free housing.

    In addition to the Baskets, items included in the delivery were sets of towels, sheet sets and blankets as well as dinnerware sets.

    –Submitted by Kathleen Charles, SOS Co-Chair 2020-21

  • New Grant Received from Horizons Foundation

    on 07/11/2020

    A new grant in the amount of $6,000 was received from Horizons Foundation for the SOS Program. Horizons Foundation has been supporting our programs as far back as 2008. Grant Writer was Stephanie Reimer.

    –submitted by Kathy Friedrich, Grant Writing Chair 2020-21