February was a short month but lots got done!
Newsletter February 28, 2025
Potluck at Blacklake
The potluck fundraiser at Blacklake’s Community Center was a great event with 30 people in attendance. Many thanks to Deb Sherry and Marilyn Mullany for sponsoring the event. The guests and advocates had such a great time that I totally forgot to take pictures at the party. The food was fantastic and the agency stories were moving.
Next Potluck
The March potluck is a Tea Party on Wednesday March 19th at 1:30PM hosted by Lopez High School at 1055 Mesa View Dr, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420. Start looking for a tea cup and saucer to bring to the tea along with your dish, place setting and check! Tea will be provided. This is a great time to get to know this gem of a school right in our neighborhood. Spread the word and invite neighbors and friends! Womenade serves as the unofficial Parent Teacher Organization for the high school.
Projects updates
Laundry Pop-Up – Belinda Benassi, Terri Zielinski and Beth Hirsch
Our two Laundry Pop Up teams were busy in February although there was a noticeable decline in clients on February 1st. There were fewer people willing to accept assistance. Between the two pop ups they did 100 loads of laundry.
Both teams could use more volunteers! The one on February 14 had the bare minimum of 2 volunteers with many clients.
The next Laundry Pop Up is March 1st at Launderia Launder Mat, 505 Orchard Rd. Nipomo, CA 93420, Hours: 10 am – 12 Noon.
To offer opportunities for volunteers to sign up in advance for the event site and dates of their choosing Belinda put together this Sign-Up Genius https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/10C0B44AEA82DAAF9C52-50105745-2024
Nipomo Food Distribution – Rosemary Cleaves, Sue McCutcheon, and Mary Anne Morgan - project leaders
The February Food distribution was on Tuesday February 11th at the Nipomo Elementary School (always the second Tuesday of the month). We had a small volunteer team who worked efficiently together. We had expected a lower turnout due to recent government policies, but we were surprised by the turnout. We gave out everything we had to 360 families and ran out early. Many clients asked to pick up food for friends who were afraid to come in person.
We work with the SLO FoodBank and Nipomo Elementary School to make the Food Distribution happen. Thank you SLO Foodbank and all our fabulous volunteers! Let us know if you want to be on the substitute list. The next distribution will be on Tuesday, February 11th.
We Love Educators – Lisa Arakaki project leader
We Love Educators (WLE) Volunteers for Teachers Project is a group of in-class volunteers—many who are retired educators—who want to show appreciation and encouragement for South SLO County teachers, especially those who are new to the district and/or profession.
Anyone interested in learning more and/or signing up to volunteer (in elementary schools) can fill out this online Google Form: Interest/Sign-Up Form for SSCW's "We Love Educators - Volunteers for Teachers" Project which goes directly to project leader Lisa Arakaki.
The teachers, volunteers and students have expressed much appreciation for having volunteers in the classroom.
A Principal expressed how great it is to have volunteers helping on campus and volunteers have expressed how satisfying the experience is and the joy of making a difference.
Hygiene Drive
Mark your calendars – the Hygiene Drive will take place in April. It’s hard to believe that we’re gearing up for our eight h year! Look for the sign up sheet, drop off locations and other instructions in our next newsletter.
Help Needed – contact us at sslocwomenade@gmail.com
Volunteers at the Laundry Pop Ups – the first and third Saturdays of each month from 10AM to 12 PM.
Adopt an Elementary School for Weekend Food Bags – thank you to so many people who have stepped up to adopt an Elementary School for Weekend Food Bags. There are still a couple of additional schools who are in need.
Volunteers for the Hygiene Drive taking place in April
A project leader for a diaper drive
Items Needed
Prizes for our raffle held on April 17th
Chrome books
Toilet paper
Diapers
Pack n Plays
Laundry detergent
Update on items donated
In February 2 Womenaders donated a complete full size bed to a client in need and 2 chairs. They were able to donate it to a very worthy family to help with transportation for the entire family.
UPDATE ON FUNDS RECEIVED
1/1/25 TO 1/31/25 $7,938.33
2/1/2019 TO 1/31/25 $660,732.83
Thank you to our January donors!
We appreciate all our wonderful donors! If you donate through your retirement fund or or other charitable foundation, please send us a note. Sometimes the giving fund doesn’t identify the donor, and we don’t have any way of communicating with you.
Emily Myhre, Linda and Bradley Wilbert, Fran Norris, Rosemary Cleaves (2),Anonymous, Community Grants Community Foundation, Sheila and Richard Semana, Mary De Jong, Marilyn Mullany, Olive and Mike Shu, Joann and Stan Benson, Elaine Stewart , Wendy Castleman, Cory Gonzalez . Mary Anne Morgan . Ardie Heinrich, Susan McCutcheon (2), Lynn Heinrich, Heidi Boatman, Gee Gee Southward, Marcella Gelman, Gay Evison Groomes, Sandy Richardson, Lyn Lamison, Leslie Friedman , Ilanit Unruh, Phyllis Sims, Lori Connolly , Kathy Howell , Carol Chenot (2), Liz Fritz, Linda Busek, Lola Zybura, Barbara Crawford, Jean Leavitt , Christy Palmer, Gail Applegate, Caity McCardell, Deb Sherry, Dana Robertson, Anita Shower , Jessica Griffiths. Debra Jackson, Linda Denova, Kathy Forenza, Susan Girard, Lara Golden, Annie Kessle, Jill Buckley, Karlie Cool
WHERE THE MONEY WENT
Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director
Casa Solana was able to provide a gift bed for a second month to a young woman in her early 20s who struggles with mental health challenges, homelessness, and substance abuse. She is doing much better and is ready to look for a job.$800
Nipomo Family Resource Center – Advocate Mary Mullany (supervisor)
Weekly Food Bags &71.05 SLO Foodbank
Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina
Homeless father needs support with DMV registration fees. He has been pulled over by police & they have threatened to take his car. He needs his car to work, take his daughter to school and work $300 DMV
Family works in tourist industry and work hours have been cut because it is off season. They need support to pay for their electric bill this month. $304.13 PG&E
Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona
Student needed a chromebook to be able to do school work once they got home $218.42 Amazon
Family of three experiencing financial stress.They need support with covering passport processing fees for their child. $135 US Dept of State
Nutrition Team – Mary Anne Morgan leader
Food for Lopez High School Food Pantry $83.31 SLO Food Bank
5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Janna Nichols Executive Director
Family was with two children homeless living in their car. 5CHC connected to Family Care Network who was able to assist with hotel and worked with their Case Manager to assist in securing housing. The family exhausted their hotel assistance through HSP and requested 2 nights so they could stay in their hotel until their move in date. $409.79 Motel Stay - Vagabond Inn
Client recently moved into Cabins for Change and was connected with a job opportunity in a skilled area where he had prior experience. He did not have any income at the time and needed to pay for a Live Scan background check before he could begin working. He requested assistance with this cost. $75 Live Scan
Client is currently homeless but has been able to secure work at a local factory. He did not have any income at the time and needed non-slip shoes to begin working. 5CHC was able to purchase him a pair of shoes and he started work this week! $49.02 Amazon non-slip shoes
Lopez High School – Keith Gledhill- Principal; Aurora Munoz – Admin
Wolfmarket supplies for PBIS. Items purchased: Candles, Cheetos, Mini Takis, Capri Sun, Arizona Ice Tea, Pocky $77.90
Lopez High School Wolf Den – Heidi Boatman
Laundry Detergent $70.62
Pizza as reward to students $36 Pizza Place
Guys and Gal razor and deodorant $32.33 Dollar Tree
Heated blankets/throws and flannel shirts $265 Walmart
Flannel shirts $112.05 Kohls
Guys and Gals shoes $155.11 Van’s
Heated blanket/throws $173.78 Walmart
Space Heaters $102.19 Miners
Lucia Mar Adult Education – Jennifer Bowen, Principal
No expenses
Families in Transition – Wendy Bruse Coordinator of After School Programs, Deicy Trejo –
Unaccompanied youth returned to school and needs support with purchasing a public SCT bus pass. $37 SCT-31 day bus pass
Unaccompanied youth has gone through a health crisis and her clothes are not fitting anymore. She needs support in getting basic clothing options to fit into. $100 Aeropostale Clothing
Unaccompanied youth needs support in purchasing a yearbook for her senior year. Aunt's work hours were cut and the student didn't want to ask for anymore assistance. $83.99 Yearbook
Graduating senior needed support with purchasing a yearbook. Her family had lost their housing this past year and their expenses have been costly for their family of 6. $91.66 Yearbook
Single-Parent mother asked for assistance in purchasing a yearbook for their graduating senior this year. Her rent was increased and can barely afford anything extra during this time. $91.66 Yearbook
Single-Parent mother asked for assistance in purchasing a yearbook for their graduating senior this year. Her rent was increased and can barely afford anything extra during this time. $91.66 Yearbook
Graduating senior wanted support with purchasing a yearbook. They did not work enough hours this month due to needing to get their grades up. Student is independent and never ask for help unless they truly can't manage. $91.66 Yearbook
Pregnancy and Parenting Support – Cami Statler Executive director
Funds used to provide emergency housing to a homeless mother with two young children, ages 3 and 1.The funds were used to place them in a motel for 9 days while she awaits housing at the Prado shelter. PPS received special approval for this request. PPS staff are actively working with this mom to identify housing solutions. $700 Budget Inn Motel
Mission Hope – Katie Crafton – Oncology Social Worker
Man in 40’s with rare blood cancer needed help paying last $50 of car insurance $50 on line payment
The Link – Advocates – Mesa Middle and Judkins Middle -Yuliana Molina; Paulding Middle –Christi Molina
No Expenses
SLO County Office Of Education CSPP – (California Pre-School Programs) – Shannon Pimentel Program Coordinator
No Expenses
Department of Social Services – Theresa Johnson – Division Manager
PT was in need of transportation to SLO – bus pass
PT needed socks and shoes $50 Walmart
County Nurses – Meryl Castro – County Nurse Supervisor
A teen mom received a double bed and a chest of drawers from a donor
C.A.R.E.4Paws – Libby Williams-Cabral – area administrator
A low income Nipomo resident needed assistance for her 11yr old dog, Ace, who was in respiratory distress. Seen by Dr. DeVault at the Nipomo Dog & Cat Hospital. Needing exam, and a single xray to learn the reason for Ace's significant increased respiration effort. He was put on medications to hopefully help. Client only had $43 to pay towards the bill. $125 Nipomo Dog and Cat Hospital
People’s Self Help Housing – Joanna Domínguez - Director of Resource Development
No expenses
HOW TO DONATE:
To make a donation write a check to South SLO County Womenade and mail to:
Our bank asked that checks be made out with the full legal name on the account.
South SLO County Womenade, 1793 Farroll Rd., Grover Beach, CA 93433. We encourage you to become one of our monthly or regular donors. This can be easily done through your bank or charitable foundation. Please remember that if your company has a matching grants program to include us. As you make or update your wills, please consider adding a legacy gift to us for our future sustainability.
or go to our website sslocw.org
Our email is: sslocwomenade@gmail.com
Our website is: sslocw.org
Our EIN# 27-0809744
Phone number: (805) 270-5751
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