CHALLENGE #22 - 2015

WINGS
Paladine, Illinois

  **** CHALLENGE COMPLETED ****

Although the Wings organization was started as an advocate for homeless women and children, WINGS expanded 30 years later to become one of the largest domestic violence service and housing providers in the state of Illinois.  Single women and women with children are able to receive temporary safe shelter through WINGS housing while staff provides one-on-one, individualized assistance that allows women to set personal goals that will enable them to work, continue their education and care for themselves and their children.

For WINGS:

Regarding the numbers - Beth at WINGS indicates there are about 3 children for every adult.  You will see that reflected in the increased number of slippers for children and fewer for women. 

30 Women      ----  DONE
10 Preteen boys   ----   DONE
10 Preteen girls    ----- DONE!!
10 Youth boys    -----   DONE!!
10 Youth girls     -----   DONE!!
10 Toddler boys     -----   DONE
10 Toddler girls     ----  DONE
10 Boy booties     -----   DONE
10 Girl booties     ---   DONE

They would love washcloths!
110 Washcloths  ----   DONE

Mailing Deadline:  July 27, 2015

Send to:

Beth Gardham
WINGS
P.O. Box 95615
Palatine, IL 60095

CHALLENGE #21 - 2015

HOPE & JUSTICE PROJECT
Presque Isle, Maine

*****CHALLENGE COMPLETED*****

The Hope and Justice Project began thirty years ago as the Battered Women's Project but changed their name in May, 2010, to project a new, positive name to help better reach out to those who needed their services.   Their shelters are located in northern Maine, not far from the Canadian border.   In 2012 they housed 807 women, 45 men, and 239 children.

It gets mighty cold up there in the winter time, so let's try to send them some warm and cozy slippers to warm their hearts and toes!

Here's what we need:

   40  Women's  -   DONE
      6 Teen Girls   -   DONE
      6  Teen Boys   -   DONE 
     6  Preteen Girls   -   DONE 
     6  Preteen Boys   -   DONE  
     6  Youth Girls   -   DONE  
     6  Youth Boys   -   DONE 
     6  Toddler Girls   -   DONE 
     6  Toddler Boys    -   DONE  
     6  Girls Booties   -   DONE 
     6  Boys Booties   -   DONE 
 100 Washcloths   -   DONE

MAILING DEADLINE:    JULY 8, 2015

MAIL PACKAGES TO THIS EXACT ADDRESS:

          JESSICA KINNEY 
           P. O. BOX 148
           PRESQUE ISLE,  MAINE   04769

CHALLENGE #17 - UPDATE

CHALLENGE #17 has been completed! Thanks go out to Jan O. for taking the last seven slippers.

This is an AMAZING group of volunteers who are willing to give so much of their time and talents to provide some warmth and caring to women and children (and, yes, occasionally, men, too) who have left most of their personal belongings behind when fleeing to a shelter for safety.

Stay tuned........Rachel will be posting a small Cozies for Pets challenge for the same shelter sometime over the next few days.

Judy

UPDATE - CHALLENGE #17

The pledges have been rolling in for Challenge #17!   We are heading for the finish line on this one.   We still need pledges for the following numbers of slippers:

          3 women's
          3 men's/teen boys
          8 preteen girls
          8 preteen boys
          3 youth boys
          4 booties - boys

If you can make one pair or even a whole bunch for this challenge, please post your pledge in a comment in the Challenge #17 post below and we will receive it.

If you are new to The Pink Slipper Project, please feel free to ask any questions you may have.

Rachel and Judy

CHALLENGE #17 - 2015

BOLTON REFUGE HOUSE, INC.
EAU CLAIRE, WISCONSIN                 


   *****CHALLENGE COMPLETED - 5/19/15)

Back in 1976, a group of women came up with an idea for a Women's Community Center; however, before they had opened their doors, the local police department contacted them and asked if they would provide shelter to a woman and her children who were fleeing a DV situation.   As a result of that call, th...e Center was officially opened as "Refuge House".   After moving to several different locations, they moved in 1987 to a more spacious location.On October 6, 1992, Robert Bolton, an Eau Claire police officer, was responding to a domestic abuse call at the shelter.   Officer Bolton attempted to stop the suspect, who was getting into his car.  However, the man was able to retrieve a firearm from his car and fatally shot Officer Bolton.  Later that year, the shelter was renamed " Bolton Refgue House, Inc." in his honor.

Last year, Bolton Refuge House offered shelter to 124 women and 138 children.   Their facility has 30 beds, with additional cots and toddler beds added when needed.

FOR THIS SHELTER, WE ARE REQUESTING THE FOLLOWING:

  60  Women's   -   DONE

  10  Men's/Teen Boys   -   DONE

  10  Preteen Girls   -   DONE

  10  Preteen Boys   -   DONE

  10  Youth Girls   -   DONE

  10  Youth Boys   -   DONE

  10  Toddler Girls   -   DONE

  10  Toddler Boys   -   DONE

   10  Booties - Girls   -   DONE

  10  Booties - Boys   -   DONE

150  Washcloths   -   DONE

MAILING DEADLINE:    JUNE  15, 2015

MAILING ADDRESS:

     BOLTON REFUGE HOUSE, INC.
     Attention:  Pat Stein, Exec. Director 
     P. O. Box 482
     Eau Claire,  Wisconsin   54702

.......and just like that, 2-1/2 hours later......the CHALLENGE HAS BEEN COMPLETED!!! Thank you all for your pledges!

Also, there is a possibility of a small "Cozies for Pets" challenge for this shelter. They have an onsite pet program for temporary care until outside foster care can be arranged, but the shelter does not have a lot of storage space. We are waiting to hear back from Barb, who is going to check with the shelter.

CHALLENGE #12 - 2015

Rachel and I have been on a little spring break, but we are back and ready to go with a new Challenge.   If you wish to take part in this challenge, please put your pledge in a comment on this post and we will receive it.   The numbers in each category will be updated as soon as possible when pledges come in.   Be sure to keep a record of your pledge, the challenge number, mailing deadline, and the mailing information!   When you finish making the items you have pledged, you will be mailing them directly to the address provided in the challenge.   If you have questions, please feel free to ask us.

WOMEN'S CENTER & SHELTER OF GREATER PITTSBURGH (PA)

It is amazing what can be accomplished when two women see a need, put their heads together, and come up with a way to solve the problem. Rather than trying to rephrase information of the history of this shelter, I have included a link to an In Memoriam page on the shelter's website about these two amazing women. I hope that you will take some time and read about them when you get the opportunity!

http://www.wcspittsburgh.org/page.aspx?pid=525

All of our items will be sent to Barbara Kochuba, of Comfort Scarves of Southwestern PA, who works as a liaison for at least nine or ten DV shelters in this area. She will personally deliver our items to this shelter.

We would like for you to be sure to indicate that your items are part of a Pink Slipper Project challenge. Feel free to download and print (on plain paper, cardstock, or business card stock) the new PSP Tags. A hole can be punched in one end and tied on to your slippers, or if you bag each pair, it could be included in the bag. Also, under your name in the return address on your package, you might include "Pink Slipper Project". This will help Barbara identify our packages for this particular shelter.

For this challenge, we are requesting the following:
  

6 Women's - Large (9-1/2" to 11")   -   DONE

24 Women's - Medium (8" to 9-1/2")   -   DONE

12 Teen Girls   -   DONE

6 Teen Boys   -   DONE

6 Youth Girls   -   DONE

6 Youth Boys   -   DONE

3 Toddler Girls   -   DONE

3 Toddler Boys   -   DONE


MAILING DEADLINE: MAY 9, 2015

MAILING ADDRESS:

          BARBARA KOCHUBA

          408 WASHINGTON ROAD

          PITTSBURGH, PA 15221

CHALLENGE #9 of 2015 has now been fully pledged!! This has been the biggest challenge so far this year with a total of 166 slippers and 155 washcloths pledged. We have had lots of new members join us this week and many of you have jumped right in and pledged! AWESOME!!!! We can't thank you enough for your support.

Are you ready for some combined totals for 2015 so far??? After just 2-1/2 months, our members have pledged and sent/will send 845 pairs of slippers, 810 washcloths, 37 pet blankets, plus 13 sets of knitting needles, 6 crochet hooks, 6 prs. scissors, 12 skeins of yarn, and a $20 Joann's gift card!

How awesome are those numbers? Ladies, pat yourselves on the back for a job well done....and we still have 9-1/2 months to go in 2015. Imagine how many hearts and toes will be warmed by the end of the year by your very generous hearts and hands!

Rachel and Judy

UPDATE TO CHALLENGE #9 - WEAVE, INC., Sacramento, CA

UPDATED:  3/15/15 @ 9:15 PM

The pledges for this Challenge have been coming in very steadily since it was posted on Thursday afternoon. A big "Thank You" to all of you who have already pledged, including all of the new members who have joined us recently! It's great to see new members jump right into a Challenge!

We are still in need of pledges for the following:   17 women's.

Also, we have decided to extend the mailing deadline for this shelter since we have had quite a few challenges in the last few weeks. The new deadline will be Saturday, April 18th.

If you would like to make a pledge (or increase your pledge), please post your pledge in a Comment line below. Thanks for your help .... and if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

Rachel and Judy

CHALLENGE #9 - 2015

WEAVE, INC.    (UPDATED:  3/15/15 @ 9:15 PM)
Sacramento, California

WEAVE, INC. was established in 1978 as a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization to serve domestic violence survivors and their families in Sacramento County, CA.  In 1988, WEAVE added services to help survivors of sexual assault and remains the sole Rape Crisis Center in Sacramento County.  In 2009, WEAVE became part of the local Rescue & Restore Coalition and began providing services to domestic and international victims of human trafficking.  Today, WEAVE implements a continuum of crisis intervention, therapeutic and prevention services to meet the unique needs of survivors, their families, and the community.” 

“WEAVE’s services include a 24-hour Support & Information Line, a confidential emergency Safehouse, walk-in Triage services including a lethality assessment, therapeutic counseling services, legal advocacy, and youth and community prevention education programs.  The organization has grown from a small, grassroots organization to a nationally recognized agency. “

For WEAVE’s Safehouse shelter, we would like to request pledges for the following:

 80  Women's/Teen Girls  -  DONE
    5  Men's/Teen Boys  -  DONE
  10  Preteen Girls  -  DONE
  10  Preteen Boys  -  DONE
  10  Youth Girls  -  DONE
  10  Youth Boys  -  DONE
  10  Toddler Girls  -  DONE
  10  Toddler Boys  -  DONE
  10  Booties - Girls  -  DONE
  10  Booties - Boys  -  DONE
150  Washcloths  -  DONE


MAILING DEADLINE:   APRIL 18, 2015   (New date, extended by one week)


MAILING ADDRESS:    
          WEAVE, INC.
          Attn:  Megan Laurie, Development
          1900 K Street
          Sacramento,  CA   95811

NOTE:    Please feel free to include a note in your package that you are part of The Pink Slipper Project.

This group of volunteers is just so fantastic!!!! Another Challenge completely pledged in less than ONE DAY!! All of you are just the BEST! Thank you so much for opening up your hearts and giving of your talents to create so many much-needed items for these women and children. 

Rachel and Judy

CHALLENGE #7 - 2015

SAFEHOUSE CRISIS CENTER 

Coffeyville and Pittsburg, Kansas

**** CHALLENGE COMPLETED ****

Safehouse Crisis Center is dedicated to serving the adult and child victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in a seven-county area of southeast Kansas. Services are also available for adult males who are victims of domestic violence.

SHCC was started in 1977 as a college class project.  After surveying local social and law enforcement agencies, it was determined that an organized protective intervention was needed.  A shelter opened in 1981 in Pittsburg.  The Coffeyville shelter opened in 1995. 

This is a repeat shelter for The Pink Slipper Project.

We would like to ask for pledges for the following needs:

  36 Women’s/Teen Girls  -  DONE

    4 Teen Boys   -  DONE

    8 Preteen Girls   -  DONE

    8 Preteen Boys   -   DONE

    8 Youth Girls   -   DONE

    8 Youth Boys   -   DONE

    8 Toddler Girls   -   DONE

    8 Toddler Boys   -   DONE

    8 Baby Booties (mixed colors)   -  DONE

100 Washcloths   -   DONE


MAILING DEADLINE:   MARCH 28, 2015

MAILING ADDRESS:

          REBECCA BRUBAKER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

          409 NORTH WALNUT

          PITTSBURG,  KS   66762


As always, if the name of the shelter is not listed in the above mailing address, please DO NOT include it when you mail your package.  It has been excluded for safety reasons.   Thank you!

This challenge is currently running on our Facebook page as well.   If you wish to make a pledge for a certain number of slippers and/or washcloths, please put your pledge in a comment on this post  (number pledged, category and gender).   Thank you.

If you are new to The Pink Slipper Project and have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask us.

Rachel and Judy

CHALLENGE #3 - 2015

Challenge #2 of 2015 (for Turning Point in Wyoming) was posted on Facebook and completed before we were able to post it here on the blog. Kudos to all of our wonderful followers on our Facebook page for getting it finished so rapidly. Now, we are on to Challenge #3 (below). If you wish to jump in and make a pledge, just put your pledge in a comment below and we will receive it. Mailing directions for this shelter will be posted as soon as we have the information....probably early next week.

CIRCLE OF HOPE - GEORGIA

Circle of Hope is a small, 17-bed domestic violence shelter located in Georgia. (It is a confidential shelter - undisclosed location for safety.) In 2011, Circle of Hope was gifted a large home and, with a transitional housing grant, they now have 29 housing units for survivors leaving the shelter. These housing units include one for single women, women over 50 or those with handicaps.

Choose your favorite slipper and/or washcloth patterns (but, please, no bling or button attachments for babies or very young children due to choking hazard). If you are able to crochet or knit with two strands of yarn (one strand #4 plus one strand #3 works well, too), it makes a nice warm, cushioney slipper. Be sure ends are tied off and woven end securely! We want them to hold together and last for a long while.

For our new members, just comment with your pledge in a "Comment" below and then, when we post the mailing address, be sure to copy down the address and mailing deadline for your own reference. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

For Circle of Hope, we need the following number of slippers and washcloths:

25 women's - Still need 9
  5 preteen girls - Still need 5
  5 preteen boys - Still need 3
  5 youth girls - DONE!
  5 youth boys - Still need 1
  5 toddler girls - DONE!
  5 toddler boys - DONE!
  5 booties - girls - DONE!
  5 booties - boys - DONE!

65 washcloths - Still need 5

MAILING DEADLINE:   FEBRUARY 21, 2015

MAILING ADDRESS:    THIS IS A CONFIDENTIAL SHELTER AND CONTACT PERSON AND SPECIFIC MAILING ADDRESS WILL BE ADDED AS SOON AS IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.