1. GFWC La Verne-San Dimas Woman’s Club, (CA) – Traffic Free Pomona
GFWC La Verne-San Dimas Woman’s Club worked on Traffic Free Pomona. The members spent 16 hours working with Pomona law enforcement agencies for human trafficking victims. The agencies supply backpacks, and the members meet to assemble the backpacks with pajamas, comfortable clothing, a blanket, a toothbrush, toothpaste, shoes, stuffed animals, notes of encouragement, and other sundry items. The club donated $20 worth of products. The backpacks are taken to the Pomona Police Department, where the officers give them to children and teens rescued from sex traffickers. This project aids child trafficking victims by reducing the high-stress scenario of being removed from the streets. It provided comfort as they waited for their families to be contacted and arrangements made for their safe return home.
2. Woman’s Club of Colorado Springs, (CO) – Reclaiming Hope
Reclaiming Hope is a non-profit organization headquartered in Colorado Springs. Reclaiming Hope works with law enforcement across the nation to provide backpacks, called Hope Bags, for sex trafficking survivors at the time of their recovery. These Hope Bags are age-specific and designed for toddlers, children, teens, and adults. The Hope Bags include new items, including clothing, hygiene kits, a blanket, comfort items, snacks, and a personal note. In January 2023, our club had a guest speaker from Reclaiming Hope about the Hope Bags and how the organization cares for survivors of sex trafficking at the point of their recovery, during their restoration and reintegration into the community. Fifteen club members donated Hope Bag items valued at $377. Four members volunteered for 7 hours at Reclaiming Hope in February to aid with their annual inventory. The club donated $500 to the organization from fundraising activities.
3. Walker R.A.R.E. Club (IA) – Human trafficking Presentation
These nine members organized a public presentation on Human Trafficking at the Sacred Heart Church Hall in Walker, contacting three speakers with various types of Human Trafficking expertise and arranging for them to present a panel discussion jointly. The club secured monetary support from the local Walker Lions Club to present their program. Club members then proceeded to contact counselors from the local school to ensure the inclusion of students over the age of 10 and to enlist the school communications network in informing parents of the event. They submitted articles over three weeks in the tri-county newspaper, sent out invitations to 20 area churches, put up posters, and bought an ad to run in the newspaper one week before the event. This 90-minute public presentation was held in March and was attended by 50 adults and teenagers.
4. Fox Valley Junior Woman’s Club (IL) – Unveiling Domestic Violence
The October meeting highlighted Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a presentation from Dr. Maribel Lopez, a local Author, Minister, Inspirational Speaker, and Professor. Her passion is educating the community on women empowerment, domestic violence, substance abuse, and early childhood education. Through her social work, she also helps individuals to heal from sexual abuse and rape, something she is all too familiar with in her own life. Her talk highlighted signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships, myths surrounding domestic violence, how abusers manipulate their victims, and how to support someone in a domestic violence situation.
5. GFWC Billings Junior Woman’s Club (MT) – Angela’s Piazza
GFWC Billings Junior Woman’s Club has their “Angela’s Piazza” project in their minds all year long. The club provides support to this center for women who hope to live safer, better lives free from addictions and violence. Clients are predominantly Native Americans, including women and teens. The BJWC put together 35 gift bags and hundreds of pieces of jewelry to be given out at the center’s Christmas party. Throughout the year, club members look for items at garage sales for these bags. Some club members knit hats and scarves to be included. Jewelry from the GFWC Madison Valley Woman’s Club thrift store was donated. The BJWC also donates a $20 grocery gift card for each bag. The club members spent hours matching items for each bag, coordinating styles and colors. Each bag held a tiny part of each member involved. The project took 324 hours of volunteer time. $700 was donated by the club for gift cards and bags. $2400 of in-kind donations were used.
6. GFWC Horizon Woman’s Club (NE) – Secure the Call
GFWC Horizon Woman’s Club collected old cell phones to be given to domestic violence victims. Survivors of domestic violence typically can’t use their old mobile devices once they’ve left their abusers. The collected used cell phones were sent to the Secure the Call national agency, where they were turned into valuable financial support for domestic violence awareness and prevention initiatives. They took something of no value to themselves and were able to give it much value to someone in need. This project included 38 volunteer hours and $51 of in-kind donations.
7. The Las Cruces Progress Club (NM) – La Pinon Sexual Assault Recovery
The Las Cruces Progress Club’s support for the La Pinon Sexual Assault Recovery is a testament to our commitment to a crucial cause. The club houses a service called SANE, a program that any victim of sexual assault can participate in to gather evidence for any case they may litigate. We donated a lump sum of $4,200 to be used at their discretion and collected items at monthly meetings. These items, including journals, fidgets, snacks, self-care items, and local gift cards, were specifically chosen to cater to the needs of teenagers, a group often overlooked in such situations. La Pinon, the only full-service sexual abuse response agency in Southern New Mexico, plays a vital role in our community, and we are proud to support them.
8. Montgomery Women’s Club (OH) – Drive-by-Collection for “New Beginnings”
The Montgomery Women’s Club (OH) organized a Drive-by-Collection for ‘New Beginnings,’ a heartwarming event that positively impacted the community. The event, listed on various platforms including Facebook, Movers and Makers Magazine, City Hall, the Chamber of Commerce, their website, and brochures and fliers, was a testament to our club’s dedication. Donations of blankets, sheet sets, dish sets, silverware sets, pots and pans, towels, shower curtains, laundry baskets, and cash poured in, reflecting the community’s generosity. With 50 members contributing 45.5 hours, the event was a genuine community effort. In-Kind Donations: $3,000.00
9. GFWC Salem Woman’s Service Club (OR) – First Night Bags
At their October meeting, GFWC Salem Woman’s Service Club assembled 80 First Night Bags with essential toiletry items distributed to three local programs that provide emergency crisis housing to domestic violence victims and their children. Gallon-size zip lock bags are filled with items that include deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, lotion, soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, washcloth, comb, and other assorted items. The Club Members personalize their bags with a note of encouragement and the club’s contact information.
10. GFWC Dickson County Woman’s Club (TN) – Women Empowering Women in Business Expo
Women Empowering Women in Business Expo occurred Saturday, April 18th, at the War Memorial Building in Dickson. They advertised on social media through their GFWC public and personal pages. Some committee members also reached out by attending various vendor events, providing postcards to vendors, and going door-to-door to various women-run businesses. This provided a fantastic opportunity to share information about the GFWC Spring Station Woman’s Club. A silent auction of 74 baskets donated by club members with items donated by vendors and local businesses was a big hit. 70% (20) of the club members participated, and everyone said it was a fantastic event. Over 85 attendees (excluding club members and vendor’s families) were there. All net proceeds of $2300.73 were donated to Women Are Safe, a non-profit organization providing services to victims of domestic violence in rural Tennessee.
Volunteer Hours: 252 hrs. ln-Kind Donations: $1225.00
