In January, the Crisis Shelter for Women and Children celebrated its 10th anniversary, and thanks to many of you, they did it in a newer, much larger, better equipped location - 1515 E Illinois Ave.!
Charity and her children were a few of our first new guests at the new location. Charity's mom had been in recovery at the UGM Center in Coeur d'Alene and told Charity she needed to get help for her addiction. Charity was ready. She dropped everything and drove her three children to the new shelter, where they were able to have their own room, catch their breath and make a plan for the future. They have since transitioned to Women's Recovery at Anna Ogden Hall. Charity knows she's on the right path. She's eager to learn how to be a good mom and provide stability for her children.
"We've done a 180. We came in here loud and crazy and cussing, and we stopped. I make my bed now. I mean, I have a reason to get up every day because of this place."
While the new shelter is a huge improvement on the old 1950s motel, the heart remains the same: reach out to women and children in crisis with the love, compassion and mercy of Christ.
We couldn't do that without the support of an amazing community! More than 40 individuals and groups sponsored rooms at the new shelter while scores of volunteers have come alongside us to enhance our services, which now include chapel, in-house food service, child care, and more.
"We've done a 180. We came in here loud and crazy and cussing, and we stopped. I make my bed now. I mean, I have a reason to get up every day because of this place."
The Elizabeth Pool Charitable Trust, managed by US Bank, has been funding improvement projects at UGM since 2008 - everything from canoes to commercial-grade appliances to sponsoring a family room at the new shelter.
Elizabeth Pool was a lifelong resident of Lamont, Washington, where she grew up on her family farm. She was a smart businesswoman who worked with her brother Francis to sustain and grow their family's agricultural business. Toward the end of her life, she planned her estate carefully both to care for her loved ones and to share the fruits of her hard work with charitable causes close to her heart. More than a decade after her death, her trust continues to bless families in need.
"Elizabeth emphasized the importance of providing assistance for the well-being of women and children," said Aubrey Kubik, administrator of the Charitable Trust. "The UGM encompasses the charitable intent of Elizabeth Pool by providing a safe environment for women and children."
Stay tuned to Mission News for updates from the old Crisis Shelter, which is being transformed for a whole new life as the Student Impact Center!
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