Womenade - two weeks into 2025!
Newsletter January 17, 2025
Next Potluck
The next potluck is this Saturday, January18th at 3PM! At Lynn Heinrich’s Home
579 Avocet Way, (Cypress Ridge) Arroyo Grande
Mark your Calendars! The next one is on Thursday, February 27th at 6PM in Blacklake in Nipomo!
Projects updates
Laundry Pop-Up – Belinda Benassi, Terri Zielinski and Beth Hirsch
We now have two Laundry Pop Up Teams! In December they did 154 loads of laundry!
The next Laundry Pop Up is January 18th 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 January Food distribution was on Tuesday January 14th at the Nipomo Elementary School (always the second Tuesday of the month). We had a small volunteer team who worked efficiently together. We gave out food to 340 families and had enough for everyone. Many clients were very grateful but expressed apprehension.
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. She can answer any questions via email <weloveeducators@gmail.com> about the project and the district's volunteer registration/approval process. Once approved by the district, the Google Form information (volunteer's availability, school site/grade level, and subject preferences) will be forwarded to the district's Human Resources office to be matched with one or more elementary teachers who have requested in-class help. Educators and volunteers alike appreciate the mutual benefits of this project, especially seeing how much the students eagerly await their time with WLE volunteers!
Here are a couple of quotes we received recently:
From Oceano Elementary Principal Joshua Herrera:
SSCW has been instrumental in the success of Oceano Elementary School. It is so great to have volunteers on campus helping with reading, writing, math, and physical education classes. These volunteers are professional and have built great relationships with the students and staff of Oceano Elementary School.
From We Love Educators Project volunteer Hannah Edwards:
I have been volunteering at Fairgrove Elementary in a kindergarten class. The joy I get from the children's rapid pace of learning is so inspiring! The children are so sweet, curious and respectful. The time I spend in that class gives me such hope and satisfaction. I leave the class knowing I have done something of value.
Help Needed – contact us at sslocwomenade@gmail.com
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.
A project leader for a diaper drive
Items Needed
A full size bed for new teen mom sleeping with infant on mattress on floor
A dresser for teen mom to put her and baby’s clothes
Toilet paper
Diapers
Pack n Plays
Laundry detergent
Update on items donated
In December a Womenader donated a car in good working condition. They were able to donate it to a very worthy family to help with transportation for the entire family.
In Kind Receipt
Please complete and submit the in-kind receipt to help us track how much you are contributing in donor offered items: This is a jpeg that you can copy, paste and print.
UPDATE ON FUNDS RECEIVED
11/1//24 TO 12/31/24 $26,417.93
1/1/24 TO 12/31/24 $153,388.13
2/1/2019 TO 12/31/24 $652,794.50
Thank you to our December 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.
Anonymous Anonymous, Central Fund For Children, Heidi Boatman, Libby Williams-Cabral , Candace Guldeman, Linda and Bradley Wilbert, Sandra (Gay) Anderson , Jean Graham, Sue Prior, Ann McDowell, Rosemary Cleaves (2), Fran Norris, Linda Fibich, Karlie Cool, Carol Chenot , Lola Zybura, Mary Anne Morgan, Lisa Murdoch, Phyllis Sims, Jean Leavitt, Gee Gee (Joyce) Southward, Marcella Gelman, Sandy Richardson, Nicole Pazdan, Linda Busek, Marilyn Knollenberg, Christine Mateer,Sheila and Richard Semana, Betty Scully, Marilyn Mullany, Mary De Jong, Fred Donati, Barbara Schader, Wendy Castleman. Elaine Stewart , Cory Gonzalez, Olive and Mike Shu, Lynn Edwards, Alicia Lara, Diana Henderson, Gail Applegate, Mary Anne Morgan and Madeline Fay, Mindy Bailey,Carol Chenot , Jim Wolfe, Caity McCardell, Alicia Lara, Marcella Gelman, Lola Zybura, Lisa Chadwick, Susan Hughes, Lara Golden, Andrea Chavez, Dana Robertson, Piper Adelman, Anita Shower, Diane O'Lear, Jessica Griffiths, Debra Jackson, Tara Mattina, Nicki Bywater, Kathy Gibb, Alex Kramer, Lynda Allen, Kathy Forenza. Robin Pisz. Lisa Fraser
WHERE THE MONEY WENT
Casa Solana – Renée Poirier – Executive Director
Casa Solana was able to provide a gift bed to a young woman in her early 20s who struggles with mental health challenges, homelessness, and substance abuse. $800
Nipomo Family Resource Center – Advocate TBD
Holiday food baskets (hams and turkey breasts $123.91 SLO Foodbank
Oceano Family Resource Center – Advocate Stella Medina
Parents work hrs have reduced due to off-season. Currently looking for a second job. In need of rental assistance for January. $300 Villa Azul Apartments
Recent rent increase under new ownership.If unpaid family will be at risk of eviction. $250 Era Property Management
Single mother struggling financially with limited income. Due to recent storm she was not able to work for a week. Requested support with partial rental assistance.$300 Chuy Berry Farms
Arroyo Grande Family Resource Center – Cinthyia Ortiz-Corona
Single Mother Currently Hospitalized with chronic pain. Requested support w/ purchasing compression socks which will help with recovery process. $17.39 Amazon
Family of five struggling with household utility bills. Parents are not able to work regularly due to off- season in the hotel industry. Requested support w/ partial payment of P&E bill. $200 PG&E
Monolingual Spanish speaking youth struggling at school due to curriculum in English. Chromebook will help youth practice academic and language concepts outside of school. Current phone doesn't have this ability.$218.42 Amazon
Nutrition Team – Mary Anne Morgan leader
Food for Lopez High School Food Pantry and Thanksgiving baskets $1,095.87 SLO Food Bank
5 Cities Homeless Coalition – Janna Nichols Executive Director
Waiting for report
Lopez High School – Keith Gledhill- Principal; Aurora Munoz – Admin
Field Trip Scholarship, student in need $75
School T-shirt for student who earned PBIS Tickets $20
Lopez High School Wolf Den – Heidi Boatman
Blankets/Throws, Guys flannel shirts & Guy's Jackets $244.54 Costco
Lucia Mar Adult Education – Jennifer Bowen, Principal
No expenses
Families in Transition – Wendy Bruse Coordinator of After School Programs, Deicy Trejo
Student has been riding his bike to school with no helmet. Student lives with dad, he barely affords the single room he rents. School site asked for a helmet for the safety of the student $21.61 Helmet
Student needed a bus pass to get through the last weeks of school. Parents are off work due to illness this month. $37 SCT-31 day bus pass
Family has water shut off, and has not been able to turn it on for months. Single mother has been trying to budget her money for the month, but her rent is too high. She needs to catch up on her bills in order to turn it back on.$154 Water Bill
Pregnancy and Parenting Support – Cami Statler Executive director
No expenses
Mission Hope – Katie Crafton – Oncology Social Worker
Woman in 40’s with ovarian cancer needing assistance with gas to get to out of area appointment in LA. $25 Gas card
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
The mom of this family (the parent who is the main provider in her family) has been getting fewer work hours lately. As she is not able to work as much as she typically does, and with the price of groceries so high, feeding her family of five has been a hardship. The parent was so grateful to be able to stock up on food, sharing her receipt with our program to ensure only food was purchased. $242
Department of Social Services – Theresa Johnson – Division Manager
PT was recently discharged from skilled nursing facility.They are homeless living in their vehicle and needs gas to return back to their campsite and for appointments.$25 Chevron
PT came in to office to ask for clothing, she is homeless living in her vehicle and just received a job and was needing clothing for her job. $25 Walmart
PT has not transportation to go see his probation officer and his phone is not working so he can't call them, $5.50 RTA Bus Pass
County Nurses – Meryl Castro – County Nurse Supervisor
A teen mom in the nurse home visiting program needs a car seat to bring the baby with her to work in the fields.. $127.63 Amazon
C.A.R.E.4Paws – Libby Williams-Cabral – area administrator
Low-income, senior woman in Nipomo unable to afford important antibiotic for her 11yr old kitty "Coodie Bug" with a severe urinary tract infection. The vet hospital was able to donate pain medication, which was also helpful for Coodie's comfort until the infection is resolved. $39.46 Nipomo Dog & Cat Hospital
Senior woman needed assistance with her 10yr old dog Snow who has been violently sneezing for over a month. The vet performed a nasal scoping and ended up extracting 12 teeth!. $150 Animal Hospital of SLO
Nipomo resident and disabled Vietnam veteran unable to afford vet care for his dog . The dog had a neck laceration that required sedation to properly clean and treat the wound. Total bill was $287.80, but $120 was used from the grant. $120 Nipomo Dog & Cat Hospital
People’s Self Help Housing – Joanna Domínguez - Director of Resource Development
Client is a single mother. Her daughter is a full-time student at a state university. Client also takes care of her elderly mother. She is the only provider. Due to the seasonal work her working hours have been lowered. She is requesting $500 dollars for food during this period of joy. She can pay rent and bills, but food to feed her daughter that is home full-time, and her mother will be short. $500 Walmart
The client lost his social security debit card and is unable to access his funds to buy food. Requesting $200 gift card so he can purchase food while he waits to be able to access his funds. $200 Kroeger
This social worker met with the client. She shared that she is waiting for her Cash Aid application to go through and is nearly out of diapers and wipes for her two year old son. Requesting $200 for Walmart so that she can purchase diapers. $200 Walmart
Client was recently diagnosed with cancer and her food stamps lapsed two months ago while waiting for verification of income.This assistance will greatly help with her maintaining the best health she can during this very difficult time. $200 Vons
Arroyo Grande High School and Nipomo High School – Lisa Martinez and Natalie Garcia Counselors
Toiletries for students in need $201.87
Thanksgiving and Winter Break Baskets
Food items for the Thanksgiving and Winter School Break Baskets not donated by people in the community $5,403.15 Various grocery stores in Arroyo Grande, Pismo and SLO
South County Youth Coalition – Nicola Glanville Supervisor
Targeted toys for children in the family resource centers’ community $3,000 – Whiz Kids and other stores
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
Copyright © 2025 South SLO County Womenade, All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
South SLO County Womenade
1793 Farroll Rd.
Grover Beach, CA 93433
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