During this holiday season, we are often called to serve and reach out to those in the community who are most in need.  For many organizations, this is their calling throughout the year.  Below we highlight some local organizations whose goal is to help better the lives of women of all ages. These organizations provide valuable volunteer, charitable, and outreach opportunities that can be supported throughout the calendar year.

 

Chrysalis House/Avery House

1570 Crownsville Road Crownsville, MD  21032/ 14705 Avery Road
Rockville, MD  20853
Telephone: (410) 974-6829/(301) 762-4651

Email: info@chrysalishouses.org

Website: http://www.chrysalishouses.org/

“Women in recovery emerging free” is the motto of Chrysalis House, a treatment services center for women recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. The logo, a butterfly, is a metaphor for the life-changing work the women go through in order to prepare them for a fully-functioning return to society. The transformation is the result of complete immersion in a 12-Step fellowship, diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional illness, empowerment through academic and drug education, job training, health education, parenting and life skills training, and learning or re-learning effective and appropriate ways of interacting with self, family, and community. Family members and loved ones are engaged throughout the process.

Chrysalis House started more than 24 years ago in a single-family rambler in Pasadena, MD. In 1995, Chrysalis House moved to Crownsville, MD, and can now serve 45 women and 15 children at one time. In addition, Chrysalis House operates in different capacities in Baltimore City (Chrysalis House Healthy Start, a diagnostic and transitional program for pregnant offenders) and Montgomery County (Avery House, a halfway house for women and children). Chrysalis House, Inc. employs over thirty clinicians, paraprofessionals, and administrative staff. Approximately a third of the staff is comprised of women who are in recovery.

According to Shirley Baskerville, Program Director at Chrysalis House, most of the clients are indigent and/or homeless, in poor health, lack appropriate parenting skills, and have been victims of either domestic violence and/or sexual abuse. Treatment services address all of those issues. In order to be more responsive to the multiple needs of clients, their children, and their families, Chrysalis House has implemented several service enhancements, including:

• Family Preservation Program: A therapist provides group and individual family counseling, case management, and activities to the children and families of Chrysalis House clients.

• Children’s Services: Children who are residents of the Chrysalis House program are able to be assessed and referred to the appropriate services needed for each individual case.

• Professional On-site Child Care: The Little Caterpillar Center is staffed by child care providers daily and is designed to mirror the child care experience that will be encountered once the client returns to the community.

• Health Care Services: Clients are assisted in applying for medical assistance, pharmacy assistance, housing, and other benefits for which they may qualify.

Chrysalis House, Inc. has significantly benefited from volunteers and community service partners. Volunteers provide women with life skills they will need in their emerging role in society and can enhance the program by providing support for the organization’s daily duties. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Carressa at cchristian@chrysalishouses.org.

Benevolent Baskets/My Sister’s Place Women’s Center

P.O. Box 556 Millersville, MD 21108/17 W. Franklin Street Baltimore, MD 21201

Telephone: /(410) 727-3523

Email: info@benevolentbaskets.com/ vtaranti@cc-md.org
Website: http://www.benevolentbaskets.com/ http://www.catholiccharities-md.org/my-sisters-place/msp/

My Sister’s Place Women’s Center provides homeless and poor women and children with access to increased income, improved health, sustainable housing, and community integration. The program, operated by Catholic Charities, serves between 75 and 125 women and children each day. My Sister’s Place Women’s Center (MSPWC), which opened in November 2008, is the combined new home of three existing Catholic Charities programs, My Sister’s Place, Samaritan Center, and Families That Work.

According to Jackie Reid, the Development and Volunteer Manager of Women’s Programs, MSPWC provides, among other things, housing assistance, education and life skills training, benefits advice and enrollment, case management, emergency financial assistance, linkages to other community providers (e.g., for mental health and addiction services), financial literacy services, and personal services (e.g., shower and laundry facilities, mail and telephone access, etc.). MSPWC also provides three meals a day to women and children in need. MSPWC is always looking for individuals and small groups who would like to volunteer to prepare and/or serve meals each day. Contact Jackie Reid at jreid@cc-md.org if interested.  

Benevolent Baskets, an online gift basket business, is an emerging nonprofit that collaborates with My Sister’s Place Women’s Center to help women transition from homelessness to independent living. In order to ensure its vision of leading formerly homeless women to make meaningful contributions to the greater good, Benevolent Baskets meets with MSPWC women three afternoons per week to provide life skills and job training in the form of basket-making. Women who complete their recovery program at My Sister’s Place can participate in the design, marketing, and assembly of gift baskets. Additionally, each session begins with a “check-in,” a time of sharing, affirmation, encouragement, and team building. My Sister’s Place provides the space and clients while Benevolent Baskets provides the experience for women to contribute to society.

            The organization also partners with H.O.P.E. for All, an Anne Arundel County nonprofit geared toward providing furnishings for families transitioning to independent living. It is the hope of Benevolent Baskets that its program can be replicated at other shelters in the region.

Benevolent Baskets is totally volunteer-driven and is always in need of help with facilitating training sessions, assisting with basket assembly, and garnering community awareness. Contact Karen Lerario at info@benevolentbaskets.com or visit the website for more information.

Light of Truth Center

3308 Kyle Court Baltimore, MD 21244

Telephone: (443) 393-2109

Email: info@lightoftruthcenter.org

Website: http://lightoftruth.homestead.com/

The Light of Truth Center, Inc. is dedicated to providing safe and supportive housing for women recovering from substance abuse. The Center’s facility, located at 1736 Payson Street, offers supportive services such as employment training, financial services, case management, dental hygiene, and support groups. Women living at Light of Truth work on a self-improvement plan while living as a family unit to support their own and each other’s recovery process.

Executive Director and Founder Vaile Leonard is extremely grateful for all the support the organization has gotten and continues to receive. “We are truly on the verge of phenomenal growth and teetering on the brink of greatness,” said Leonard. “In the words of Dr. Iyanla Vanzant, ‘you can do good all by yourself, but you need people to help you be great.’”  

For almost twelve years, The Light of Truth Center has been an innovator in women’s addiction recovery that continually researches, designs, and tests new concepts in an effort to help heal its clients and end the cycle of addiction in women. Some of the concepts include inviting women to fellowship with other women that are successful in business, offering workshops that broaden the women’s views on life issues, and participating in the Annual Narcotics Annonymous Convention, which surrounds them with hundreds of other women in recovery. The Center also advocates for the women it serves through grassroots and national initiatives.

 Core Beliefs of The Light of Truth Center:

1.   Believes recovery is possible and everyone has the right to recover regardless of her ability to pay.

2.   Believes all souls can heal.

3.   Stands on integrity and does everything in a spirit of genuine love and compassion.

4.   Holds the vision of what’s possible for a woman until see can see it for herself.

5.   Serves the needs of women in a holistic manner and provides a safe space for the recovery of the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a woman.

6.   Honors the dignity and esteem of all women.

7.   Gives women the choice and opportunity for a new way of life.

8.   Loves woman until they can learn to love themselves.

9.   Believes women are people and not statistics.

10. Believes all women possess positive life skills that unfold through recovery, transition and restoration.

 
The Light of Truth Center relies heavily on committed volunteers within the organization. To read about the Volunteer Orientation process and see available volunteer positions, go to www.lightoftruthcenter.org/volunteer.html or call 443-393-2109.

The Center is also in the process of renovating a new building that will serve as permanent supportive housing for women in recovery who are presently employed. The renovations are scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2010. At this time, The Light of Truth Center is actively seeking donations of box springs, bed frames, mattresses, dressers, etc. Call 443-393-2109 or email info@lightoftruthcenter.org to see how you can help.

Marian House

949 Gorsuch Avenue Baltimore, MD 21218

Telephone: (410) 467-4121

Email: events@marianhouse.org

Website: http://www.marianhouse.org/

The Marian House, located in Baltimore city, serves women and children across Maryland who are in need of housing and support services. The Marian House provides a safe, loving environment for homeless women who are suffering from addiction and have a history of trauma and incarceration. The organization was originally founded in 1982 to fill the void in services for ex-offenders who needed help rebuilding their lives, so as not to end up back in the detention center again. Because of growth and support, the Marian House has been able to extend their services to homeless women and their children as well.

            A typical resident of Marian House is between the ages of 18 and 50. The average age is 40 years old. 84% are women of color and 76% are ex-offenders. Chronic mental illnesses are diagnosed in 47% of the women at Marian House, 52% have experienced domestic violence, and 57% have been sexually assaulted in their lives.

            The Marian House has three levels of service for its residents: Marian House I, which is a transitional housing and rehabilitation program to prepare women for re-entry into the community (typically a woman’s stay here is 6 to 8 months); Marian House II continues the goals of MHI with a more independent living environment (residents can stay two years total through these two programs); and Marian House III (and Serenity Place) are permanent housing options for residents.

            According to Executive Director Katie Allston, “There are not enough safe and loving places for homeless women to go and get the care and rehabilitation they need to improve their lives. There is also not enough trauma-informed care for women—as often substance abuse and mental health problems stem from trauma experiences.” The Marian House hopes to alleviate some of this problem. To help, contact the volunteer coordinator, Rita Martin at 410-467-4121.

 

 

Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County

224 North Center Street, Rm. 102 Westminster, MD 21157

Telephone: (410) 857-0900

Email: info@rapecrisiscc.org

Website: http://www.rapecrisiscc.org/

Rape Crisis Intervention Service of Carroll County (RCIS) has provided free counseling and support services to victims of sexual violence and their families since 1978. RCIS also offers prevention education programs and professional training to eliminate sexual violence through education and advocacy. The agency serves victims aged 12 and older as well as their non-offending caregivers who have been affected by sexual violence.

Unfortunately, there is a huge perception that rape does not occur in Carroll County. RCIS knows otherwise. From July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2010, RCIS responded to 31 requests for hospital accompaniments, fielded 403 hotline calls, provided services to 288 clients, and offered 410 individual therapy sessions. 

In addition to walk-in counseling services, the center offers a 24-hour crisis hotline. Funding is comprised from grants, fundraising, and private donations, all of which have declined steadily over the past couple of years.  Besides giving monetary donations, community members can volunteer for shifts to help operate the crisis hotline and occasionally provide on-site support for victims. To volunteer, you must be S.T.A.R (Sexual Trauma Advocate and Resource) certified, which can be done through the special training courses RCIS offers. For more information, contact the Hotline Services Coordinator at 410-857-0900.

Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County

 10227 Wincopin Circle, Suite G-15 Columbia, MD 21044

 

Telephone: (800) 442-7007

Email: womensgivingcircle@verizon.net

Website: www.womensgivingcircle.org

Established in 2002 to address issues facing women and girls in Howard County, the Women’s Giving Circle, a fund of the Columbia Foundation provides grants for necessary programs, in need of funding, to help better the lives of females and close the gap in gender-based disparities. The Women’s Giving Circle is a fund from the Columbia Foundation. Some of the programs funded include Journey Camp, an overnight leadership and empowerment camp for 8^th and 9^th grade girls; STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) expos with the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab; FIRN, which provides resources for foreign-born individuals; and Girls on the Run, a program aimed at helping preteen girls develop healthy lifestyles through running.

            The organization also gives scholarships to female students and provides assistance to women who are experiencing short-term financial crisis. In 2010, Women’s Giving Circle established a new Young Women’s Giving Circle, a group of high-school aged girls who will learn about philanthropy as well as the grant-giving process and give grants together in the coming year.

“Women of concern, compassion, and generosity can make the greatest difference by working together for change,” said Cynthia Taliano, Chair of the Women’s Giving Circle. The Women’s Giving Circle hopes to increase giving by local women now to sustain a permanent endowment fund for future generations of women.   

There are opportunities to volunteer on each of the committees and also to volunteer at events such as the Iron Girl Triathlon, an event in which a team of 50 WGC members fundraise and compete. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact womensgivingcircle@verizon.net.

The Women’s Giving Circle has a strong social network presence. Check it out at:

•           Facebook: www.facebook.com/WomensGivingCircle

•           Twitter: www.twitter.com/WGCHowardCounty

•           Web: www.womensgivingcircle.org

Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples

P.O. Box 1915 Ellicott City, MD 21041

Email: membership@camom.net

Website: http://www.camom.net/

The Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples club was organized in 1986 to help women who are giving birth to or raising twins, triplets, and higher order multiples. The goal of the club is to educate its members and provide friendship, support, advice, and encouragement to multiple birth families. Membership is open to all expectant parents, parents, and legal guardians of multiples, but the membership tends to be mostly mothers.

Sara Ostrow, co-president of CAMOM believes the organization serves a unique group of individuals. “Many women, when they are pregnant with multiples or after they have multiples, realize that their challenges are unique and their friends, family, or co-workers that have the best of intentions really don’t know what it is like to have multiples. Our organization connects women who are going through or have been through the experience of being pregnant and raising multiples.”

Columbia Area Mothers of Multiples (CAMOM) has monthly meetings with speakers on a variety of topics relating to issues such as child rearing, woman’s health, cooking, fitness, and organizational topics. Also available with membership are playgroups for mothers and their children, moms’ nights out, a monthly newsletter, an online forum, and social events. The club offers volunteer opportunities for its members. For instance, the Sunshine Committee supports new moms, as well as moms in need, by making and delivering meals. The women also give back to their communities by hosting an annual consignment sale and supporting philanthropic activities like food drives, school supply drives, Grassroots shelter donations, Sinai car seat drives and more. For more information and to join the club, visit the website at www.camom.net.

Washington Area Women’s Foundation

1411 K Street, NW, Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005

Telephone: 202-347-7737

Email:

Website: http://thewomensfoundation.org/

 

The Washington Area Women’s Foundation provides grants, resources, and technical assistance to local nonprofits that address the needs of women and girls. The Foundation uses collective giving to allow donors to pool their resources and learn more about their community’s needs. Since its founding in 1998, the Women’s Foundation has supported nearly 30 organizations in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties and continues to serve the entire Washington metropolitan region.

The organization’s major grant-making program is called Stepping Stones. It was created to help low-income, women-headed families. According to Mariah Craven, Director of Communications and Marketing for the organization, the Women’s Foundation released two major reports (one in 2003 and a follow-up in 2010) that show that female-headed families are the most economically vulnerable in the region. Currently, one-in-five live in poverty. “As a result, The Women’s Foundation funds organizations and programs focused on helping these families achieve economic security with the belief that stable, successful families make thriving communities,” said Craven.

 

Some Statistics from the Women’s Foundation report:

• More than 67,000 women and girls lived in poverty in Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties last year

• There was a 23 percent rise in the number of poor women and girls in Montgomery County last year, making the increase the second biggest in our region behind Fairfax County.

• Sixty-eight percent of female-headed families in Montgomery County live in unaffordable housing.

• In Maryland, the average annual cost of full-time, center-based infant care is over one-third of the median income of a female-headed household.

The Women’s Foundation report also showed that in 2008, only 7.5 percent of all U.S. foundation money went to projects specifically targeted to benefit women and girls. The Women’s Foundation strives to give more to the women and girls of greater Washington area community.

The most effective way for others to get involved with Washington Area Women’s Foundation is to join a leadership network or giving circle. Members of leadership networks donate a certain amount of money over a two-year time period and, in turn, receive exclusive benefits such as invitations to site visits and meetings with the nonprofits. Members of giving circles join together to pool their funds and decide which organizations will receive grants after an extensive application process. For more details about involvement opportunities, call 202-347-7737 or email info@wawf.org. 

Other Maryland Organizations Helping Women

A Wider Circle

Boat People SOS

Caroline Center

CASA de Maryland

Catastrophic Health Planners

Child Center and Adult Services

Community Bridges

Crossway Community, Inc.

Cultural Academy for Excellence

Divine Images Network, Inc.

Domestic Violence Center for Howard County

End Time Harvest Ministries, Inc.

Family Support Center

Girl Scout Council of the Nation’s Capital

Human Services Coalition of Prince George’s County

IMPACT Silver Spring

Interfaith Works

Laurel Advocacy and Referral Services

Montgomery Avenue Women’s Center

Montgomery College Foundation

Passion for Learning, Inc.

Potomac Healthcare Foundation’s Avery House-Halfway House for Women and

Children Program

Pregnancy Aid Centers, Inc.

Prince George’s Child Resource Center

Prince George’s Tennis & Education Foundation

Sister to Sister: Everyone Has a Heart Foundation

Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition

St. Ann’s Infant and Maternity Home

Strategic Community Services: Teen Parents Rite of Passage Program

Suitland Family Life and Development Corporation

The Training Source, Inc.

Virtuous Enterprises, Inc.

Vehicles for Change

Women Entrepreneurs of Baltimore