Update on Penny's Purses - Prescott Area Women's Shelter - Suzanne's Story
In May I added information on Penny's Purses, so check on that is you don't have the complete history about this.
Prescott Area Women’s Shelter (PAWS)
“If you need shelter, we’ve got you
covered”
PAWS volunteers recently came
up with a great new program to promote community, "creativity, and empowerment
for the women who stay at our shelter. Penny’s Purses is an opportunity for
volunteers and shelter guests to come together once a week and create
beautifully beaded purses in the spirit of Penny, a former guest at PAWS who
passed away last year. It is also an opportunity for our guests to have a “free
day” where they do not have to leave the shelter at 8am and venture out into
the elements. Guests are encouraged, but not required to help design purses and
will receive gift cards for laundry, gas, taxi, and beauty services in the
area. PAWS and the Penny’s Purses crew are still looking for businesses who are
willing to donate $10 gift cards towards these services. We are also looking
for material donations of costume jewelry, beads, buttons, threat, and needles.
Monetary donations to Penny’s Purses can be made out to PAWS with “Penny’s
purses” in the memo.
The first few weeks of Penny’s
Purses have been a huge success! Our guests have been participating each week,
and so far we have received nothing but positive responses about the project
itself, and the gift cards guests receive.
Anyone who may be interested in helping with beading or creating purses, please contact the shelter to get involved. These purses will be sold to the Prescott community and all the proceeds will go directly back to the shelter and towards gift cards for our guests. Stay tuned for more information about when and where purses will be available for purchase!
Prescott Area Women’s Shelter (PAWS)
PAWS would like to once again thank Lowe’s of Prescott for their continued support for the shelter and its mission. Lowe’s previously donated beautiful laminate flooring for the shelter, and have now agreed to donate a vanity sink for the shelter bathroom.
PAWS Location:
336
N. Rush St. -- Prescott,
AZ -- www.prescottshelter.org
Phone:
928.778.5933 -- E-mail:
estone@ycvp.org
"PAWS would also like to thank Soroptomist International of Prescott for their donation of a year’s worth of internet in our community room. Now our guests will have the ability to search for housing, employment, check their email, submit online resumes, and search for other resources they may need ."
Suzanne's Story" "Hello everyone and welcome to PAWS (Prescott Area Women’s Shelter). My name is Suzanne and I was asked to write an article for this newsletter. For starters, a little bit about how I came to PAWS. In August of 2008, in Mesa, AZ, my brother and I were living together in my mobile home. I got behind on my rent and lost my home and we found ourselves both homeless. We had another brother who was up here in Prescott and told us to come up. So no, in Prescott, both my brothers had everything they needed because they are entitled to VA services at the hospital. However, I did not, I was on my own, with my dog, Shadow, living out of my car. I had to get a motel, here and there, for rest, a hot shower, and laundry. I finally went to the police station, as it was getting cold, seeking assistance. It was then that I heard about PAWS."
"I called to inquire about the location and came to talk to a member of the volunteer staff. At this particular time, the shelter was not open, pending installation of cabinets and a few other items left unfinished. (I must say, I was very disappointed). This is where my first real experience came in as calls were made to local motels in the area and I did not leave PAWS until I had shelter."
"PAWS provided me with a hotel for one week hoping that by then they would be open. The weeks passed and I con-tacted PAWS again only to be told they were still not open. I did not know what to do. Again, PAWS provided another week at the hotel and told me to check back." This time when I called they had a bed waiting for me. So I came to PAWS.
It was slow at first, just a few women, some came only for a night, others days. During my lengthy stay here I have witnessed great transformation in the shelter as it was struggling in so many ways. At times, I heard of PAWS closing due to lack of funds, creating panic and fear for the women here. The facility depends solely on donations, in many forms, such as donated food, gift cards, monies, and even local churches have helped us. If something breaks down here, we have to make due until the money is received for repairs.
However bad being homeless is, my friends, PAWS CAN help you. I am sleeping on a warm bed, I get free clothing to wear when something comes through that fits me. A hot shower is a blessing, just to have clean hair can boost ones self esteem. Then, there is the food.. We get plenty to eat as meals are prepared and donated by friends, family, churches, and sometimes even restaurants. The women working here do so because they honestly care about homeless women and volunteer their time. The volunteers are here for our moral support, to make sure we have the things we need, and best of all, they are there for us to talk to when we feel we cannot go on."
:At PAWS, we laugh, we cry, we share. Some homeless women have become very good friends. Others have stayed long enough to be financially able to get their own place. I am fortunate to be part of a program that wants you to succeed no matter what circumstances you are in. They ask nothing of you except that you try to put the past behind you and look forward to a new future."
"PAWS does have house rules we all must follow, and while some dislike this part of being here, the rules are in place to help guide us and provide structure for a daily routine. The shelter still has many needs to fill, and with the summer coming on, we are without an air conditioning unit. We have a few fans, but could use a few more to cool the place down since we have no windows."
"At PAWS, I feel we all get a second chance at life. My “wish” is for PAWS to be able to stay open and continue to provide for the women and children of Prescott. There is a need for this homeless shelter. It has helped me change my perspective as there is always help and hope. I would say to anyone out there needing assistance not to be afraid and to step forward and seek a new life."
Sincerely, Suzanne
Since opening, 13 women from PAWS have successfully found permanent housing.
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