Director’s Message- Helping Brings Healing

Concern is a word heard frequently here at Transitions when talk turns to budgeting and funding sources. Transitions has many faithful supporters and partnerships with private foundations, government, faith groups, and businesses. Yet each of these groups faces difficult economic times.

The women, children and families we serve are also facing difficult economic times. The difference between our supporters and the people we serve may be that our supporters could have resources at their disposal to make the changes needed to improve their economic outlook. The stories about who we serve relate how YOU can bring hope and resources to these deserving people, the women and children of Transitions.

One young woman recently completed a year at Miryam’s House, our transitional community home. She came to us with a history of incarceration and had many trust issues and behaviors that were blocking her successful future. After much counseling, many life skills classes, and several false starts, she is now enrolled in Community College and lives independently. Even better, she serves as a mentor for other women coming out of incarceration, giving them hope for a future as successful as her present.

Our job training program, the New Leaf Bakery Café provides an opportunity for women to learn culinary skills that will place them in food industry positions. One woman shared her history of domestic violence, and her determination to break that cycle of low self worth and depression. Her plan includes completing the New Leaf training and obtaining stable transportation and a house with a yard so her son can have a dog.

The smallest members, the children of our community may find themselves at greatest risk. The last census tells us that female head of households in Spokane County with children under 5 years old have a 47.5% rate of poverty. Imagine a 4 year old with an ear infection. Mom has to choose between medicine prescribed at the emergency room, or the heat bill. She must choose between a car repair that will get her to and from her minimum wage job, and the rent. This young family receives a warm home and parenting education at our Transitional Living Center. Even more important, this child has safe affordable care at our EduCare facility where he will learn about expressing his emotions in a healthy way and how loveable he is.

Even if you don’t have disposable income, if you have time to give we welcome your help! Volunteer time and in kind donations (gifts of goods or services) save precious dollars, expands our mission to new people and stretches staff time to do the things that volunteers cannot. Every little bit helps, heals and brings hope!