DC Charity Spotlight: Rachael's Women's Center

WISH LIST $100: lunch for 50 homeless women; $500: 1 month in Permanent Supportive Housing; $5000: a desperately needed commercial grade washer and dryer

Emergency shelters provide for the nighttime needs of homeless people - some 12,085 of them according to a 2006 survey - but do very little to address the massive problems that confront them when they wake up in the morning. The Day Shelter Program at Rachael's Women's Center supplements evening shelters, providing refuge and healing for homeless women age 17 and older. Breakfast, lunch, and a late afternoon snack are provided. Counseling, 12-step meetings, case management, assistance in applying for benefits, and referrals for other needs, are all there. Shower and laundry facilities, used clothing, and a place to receive mail (important when applying for jobs) are designed to make Rachael's a home for those who have none. A Street Outreach program brings men and women in for showers and laundry facilities (often the first step in getting them more engaged) and Permanent Supportive Housing is provided to 17 women with mental health issues. Rachael's goal is to make all of its clients "formerly homeless" women. Your support helps make it happen.

Dawn Swan,

Executive Director 1222 11th Street, NW Washington, DC 20001 202-682-1005 www.rachaels.org