Downtown Women's Center
November 2007 

 Downtown Women's Center eNewsletter
 News from the Heart of Skid Row

In This Issue


 

Join our mailing list!
Dear Friend,

Welcome to the Holiday Edition of the DWC eNewsletter! Year after year, this season is a very special one at the Center. Colorful decorations are on display, the scent of homemade treats lingers in the Day Center kitchen, and smiling faces of visitors and participants can be seen enjoying our cooking and gift giving traditions. No matter what you choose to celebrate, there is always an opportunity for everyone to connect and enjoy each other's company. Thank you to all of our supporters for staying involved, and for reminding the Ladies that you are there for them. It's these heartfelt gestures that help make DWC a warm community for the women we serve!

You are always invited to visit our website, www.dwcweb.org, or our Center - located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles - for a tour or more information. Stay tuned for our New Year's eNewsletter in January!

 You're Invited!
 Happenings at DWC

Snowflake Volunteer Opportunities

Donations and volunteers are needed to make upcoming holidays memorable for the Ladies. If you would like to consider spending some time with the DWC community this Holiday Season, have a look at the following opportunities:
  • Hanukah - December 12, 1:30 pm: We invite you to join us as we celebrate this important holiday - complete with music, dancing, and the lighting of the menorah!
  • Gift Wrapping Party - December 18, 4:00 pm: Help make Christmas morning extra-special for the Women by lending a helping hand and your creativity to our gift wrapping party. No experience is necessary; just an appreciation for festive decorations and holiday cheer! Donations of wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, and tape are always greatly appreciated.
  • Christmas Eve and Christmas - December 24- 25: DWC is in need volunteers at our Christmas celebrations. Sign-ups for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day begin December 1; to view updates and announcements on our holiday web page, please click here.
  • Kwanzaa - December 26, 12:00 pm: If you are interested in sharing in the traditions of Kwanzaa with the Ladies, join us for lunch and a special celebration on this day - we would love to have you here!

    To sign up for one or more of these opportunities and for additional information, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Yetta Young at yettay@dwcweb.org .

    Holiday Performance

    Dames Introducing Very Authentic Stories (DIVAS) - December 18, 11:00 am: The Downtown Women's Center Theatre Troupe - under the direction of renowned playwright Michael Kearns - presents it's fourth production of the year! Join us at the Center to watch and listen as the group combines the spirit of the season with inspiring self expression. For more information, call 213-680-0600.

     

     

 How You Can Help
 "Sponsor a Sister," Holiday Wish List

True to DWC fashion, we love to make each Woman's holiday experience the best it can be! Help us make a Participant feel truly special this season by sponsoring their personal gift packages through our "Sponsor a Sister" program.

To sponsor a Day Center Participant:
  • 1 backpack
  • 1 scarf
  • 1 knit hat
  • 1 small bottle of perfume
  • 1 jewelry item
  • 1 fleece throw

    To sponsor a Resident:
  • 1 full-size sheet set
  • 1 pillow
  • 1 afghan, quilt, or decorative blanket
  • 1 wristwatch
  • 1 bottle of hand lotion
  • 1 bottle of nail polish
  • 1 tube of lip balm

    If you are unable to sponsor a woman's entire gift, we are also in need of single items from our wish list. Needed items can be found listed on our holiday web page (click here), as well as on our Target.com registry ( click here). Please contact Department Assistant Vanessa Luo at vanessal@dwcweb.org with any questions you may have regarding in-kind holiday donations.

     

     

    •  DWC in the News
     Tyra Banks' TZONE Foundation

    "There's a misconception out there about who's homeless and why," stated Tyra Banks, founder of the TZONE Foundation, in a recent press release. In September, DWC was honored with a $10,000 grant from the Foundation in support of our Day Center. Ms. Banks and TZONE Trustees and Staff hope to use this opportunity to not only support our vital drop-in services - which provide over 2000 homeless women with important resources each year - but also to raise awareness about women's homelessness in the public and private sectors. The TZONE Foundation is a grant making organization that funds community- based nonprofit organizations helping women and girls from underserved areas to achieve their full potential. DWC is grateful for this valuable partnership in the fight to end women's homelessness.

    To view the press release, click here.

    To visit the TZONE Foundation's official web site, click here.

     

     

     Lucky Pennies for DWC

    pennies Since childhood, many of us have been familiar with the term "Find a penny, pick it up. All day long, you'll have good luck!" To our delight, supporter Bill has developed a way to turn this exercise into a fun, personal charitable giving routine! For every penny found, Bill donates a set dollar amount to DWC. He was able to collect enough pennies to make a substantial contribution toward DWC's programs and services earlier this year. You, too, can engage in this exciting project by personalizing it to suit your preferences - simply pick the item you would like to collect, and set a reasonable sponsorship level. Thank you, Bill, for this lovely and inspiring idea - we feel very "lucky" to have benefited from these pennies!

     

     

     DWC's 10th Annual Gala a Success!

    Our October 1 event netted an astonishing $240,000, all of which will be used toward our programs and services. A big "thank you" is owed to those who helped make this year's Gala dinner and silent auction a record-breaking success. To our Gala Committee and Board members, volunteers, sponsors, auction donors, and all others involved: you have helped make a difference in the lives of homeless women in need of our support, and our community is infinitely grateful. Thank you!

     

     

     
    phone: 213-680-0600
    fax: 213-680-0844