YWCA’s Hope’s Closet needs gift items for domestic violence victims
Hope’s Closet is a charming clothing boutique available to women and children who have fled violence or experienced chronic homelessness and are being sheltered by the YWCA.
The Junior League of Dayton helped establish the YW’s children’s program at the shelter after it opened in 1977, and then later helped create the on-site little shop in 2003. A lot of love went into making it inviting and special.
The clients who receive donations from Hope’s Closet are staying in one of the YWCA’s domestic violence shelters — one in Montgomery and Preble counties, the only such shelters in either county. Last year, 15,032 nights of emergency protective shelter were provided to nearly 600 women and children in both locations. Thanks to the YW, residents are treated with dignity and peace as they begin to rebuild. They are provided with everything from immediate clothing needs while in shelter to basic housewares as they establish their new homes.
“YWCA Dayton has been responding to the needs of women and children for 151 years,” said Audrey Starr, director of marketing and communications. “Many changes in our culture and our services have taken place during that time, but our mission remains the same: We are leading the way for every woman to become a driving force behind her own success in a community free of racial and economic barriers.”
Here’s how Make a Difference readers can help. The Holiday Wish List drive is going on now and provides an elevated Hope’s Closet experience. Starr says a dozen volunteers help sort donations, arrange the market for opening, and provide personal shopping assistance — complete with gift wrapping — for the 100+ women and children served by YW’s domestic violence shelter and housing programs on any given day.
“Experiencing the holidays while living in a shelter can be really stressful,” Starr notes. “Our Holiday Market helps to ease that stress by bringing a lot of joy to our service recipients and our staff. Many of our service recipients arrive in shelters with very few belongings, so finding extra money for holiday gifts is often impossible. This helps to ease that burden.”
Here’s what they need:
■ Kitchen goods (sets or individual items, like pots/ pans, dishes, towels, etc.)
■ Bedding (pillows, blankets, sheet sets)
■ Toiletries (bath sets, hand/body lotion, nail polish)
■ Winter apparel (especially bathrobes, slippers, coats)
■ Self-care items (journals, adult coloring books and pencils, books)
■ Baby items (diapers, shampoo, bottles, clothing)
■ Toys & games (for children of all ages/genders)
■ Gift and holiday supplies (wrapping paper, tissue paper, gift bags and tags, bows, etc.)
Donations can be dropped off Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the main YWCA Dayton building, located at 141 West Third Street downtown. Donors are welcome to park alongside the building on North Wilkinson Street, and carts are available. All donations are tax-deductible.
To view YWCA’s full list of needs and download a Holiday Wish List toolkit, visit www.ywcadayton.org/ wishlist. There’s also a flier for organizing a donation drive with your group or business. If you’d like to volunteer for the Holiday Market, sign up by contacting volunteers@ywcadayton.org or call (937) 4615550, ext. 108.
Need help?
Those in need of shelter can call the 24/7 crisis hotline: (937) 222-SAFE.
For more information, contact YWCA Dayton at (937) 461-5550 or email info@ywcadayton.org.
Meredith Moss writes about Dayton-area nonprofit organizations and their specific needs. If your group has a wish list it would like to share with our readers, contact Meredith: meredith. moss@coxinc.com. Please include a daytime phone number and a photo that reflects your group’s mission.