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CELEBRATING 35 YEARS OF COMMUNITY!
As we reflect on our 35 year history, we are moved by the stories of our community members - not just the women who have been empowered to end the cycle of homelessness, but the countless dedicated volunteers and donors who made such change possible.
In the late '70s, approximately 5% of the homeless population on Skid Row was women - and they had no place to go until Jill and Rosa opened the Downtown Women's Center in 1978. Women experiencing homelessness finally had a place to call home - a place where they could find refuge, dignity, and community.
Today, of the 58,000 homeless individuals in LA County, nearly a third are women. DWC sees about 4300 come through our doors every year, and we are able to meet the needs of women because we count on committed people like you - volunteers, donors, and supporters who have made this work possible for 35 years.
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GIVE THE GIFT OF HOME
Make our house feel like a home and bring the holiday spirit to women overcoming homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles' Skid Row community.
Here are FIVE WAYS to brighten the holidays for the women of DWC:
1. GIVE A GIFT Donate a brand new gift to a Resident or Day Center Participant for the holidays. Please see our 2013 Holiday Wish List at www.DWCweb.org/wishlist for our current needs. Please note that we request new, unused items for holiday gifts.
2. HOLD A HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE Gather a group of friends or co-workers to conduct a drive to collect holiday gifts for the women of DWC. For our full 2013 Holiday Gift Wish List, please visit www.DWCweb.org/wishlist. 3. SHOP MADE by DWC Purchase our handmade products and contribute to breaking the cycles of chronic unemployment and homelessness for women. One hundred percent of proceeds from MADE by DWC go directly to programs at the Downtown Women's Center. Visit www.MADEbyDWC.org to find out where to buy our products throughout Los Angeles. 4. DONATE RESALE BOUTIQUE ITEMS You can also contribute to breaking cycles of chronic unemployment and homelessness by donating items for our MADE by DWC Resale Boutique. We have an ongoing need for vintage and contemporary women's clothing, shoes, accessories, and household accents in new and gently-loved condition. All proceeds from the sales of these items will benefit DWC programs.
5. DONATE Make a contribution to help end homelessness for women. Your contribution is essential to help us provide a safe and healthy community - and all the small things that make DWC a place that women can call home. Give online at www.DWCweb.org/give or contact Audrey Kuo, Development Manager, at AudreyK@DWCweb.org or (213) 680-0600 ext. 2834. DWC accepts donations at: 442 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 Drop-off hours: Weekdays from 6am to 4pm and weekends from 8am to 2pm. Resale Boutique: 325 Los Angeles Street between 3rd and 4th Streets in Downtown Los Angeles.
Please contact Stephanie Harris at Volunteer@DWCweb.org if your group plans to donate more than one carload of items at one time. We regret that we are unable to pick up donations.
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FALL INTO FASHION BY SHOPPING AT MADE by DWC
See our new Fall Lookbook 2013: Bohemian Chic, shot on location in the hip and trendy Echo Park. Come style your fall looks at the MADE by DWC Resale Boutique where you find a mix of vintage, high-end, and contemporary pieces to fit your everyday style! One hundred percent of proceeds go directly to programs for homeless and low-income women at the Center.
See our fall looks on our MADE by DWC Facebook.
MADE by DWC Resale Boutique 325 S. Los Angeles Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (between 3rd and 4th Streets) Mon-Fri: 10:00am-5:00pm / Sat: 9:00am-4:00pm
MADE by DWC Cafe & Gift Boutique 438 S. San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (@ 5th Street) Mon-Fri: 8:00am- 4:00pm / Sat: 10:30am-3:00pm
Find our handMADE products at: MADE by DWC boutiques, Bloomingdale's Century City, Craft & Folk Art Museum, Hudson News at LAX (terminals 4, 6, and 8), and Raven+Lily.
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HOMELESS NUMBERS GROW IN LA COUNTY
June 28, 2013 By Gale Holland and Emily Alpert The number of homeless people in Los Angeles County jumped by 16% over the last two years, fueled by lingering economic devastation from the recession and rising rents and housing prices, according to a survey released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). The sharp increase from 50,000 to more than 58,000 homeless people marked a departure from previous years. And it came despite hundreds of millions of dollars in government aid pouring into the county each year to get people off the streets. "These numbers are troubling," said Mayor Eric Garcetti, who pledged during his campaign to end homelessness. "The recovery has been more jobless than we would have liked." Read the full article at www.LATimes.com.
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JOIN US FOR SPECIAL FALL EVENTS!
DINNER WITH A CAUSE
Join us on Thursday, October 3rd for a historic evening as we celebrate 35 years of community and celebrate Avis and Mark Ridley-Thomas, Anne Shen Smith of Southern California Gas Company, and Wells Fargo for their support of DWC's efforts to end homelessness for women. To learn more, purchase tickets or sponsorships, and check out our auction items, visit www.DWCweb.org/dinner.
DWC ONLINE AUCTION Our online auction is chock-full of great things, including a special visit for two to the London set of the Avengers: Age of Ultron as personal guests of writer/director Joss Whedon. The auction runs from October 3, 2013 to October 13, 2013. To learn more, visit our Bidding for Good page.
LOVE ON SAN PEDRO Join the Downtown Women's Center and the Cornerstone Theater Company for the premiere of the play "Love on San Pedro," on Friday, November 8th, at 7:30pm. The play casts Ladies of DWC and others in the telling of a love story unfolding on Skid Row. To volunteer or learn about other ways to support this project, visit www.cornerstonetheater.org.
YARN BOMBING AT DWC! Save the Date! On Thursday, November 14th at 6pm, DWC will host a special community event launching our Yarn Bomb art installation during Downtown Art Walk and celebrating our job-readiness programming. Follow the yarn bomb trail from the Artwalk along Main Street to an opening party at the MADE by DWC Resale Boutique just a block away on Los Angeles Street.
Yarn Bombing Los Angeles (YBLA) has partnered with DWC to create a yarn installation that explores ways visual art can connect disparate communities, bring attention to the cause of homelessness, and serve as a form of skill building for women overcoming homelessness and poverty. Follow us on Facebook to get updates and stay connected.
HOMEWALK Join Team DWC for United Way of Greater Los Angeles' HomeWalk 2013, an annual 5k run/walk to end homelessness, on Saturday, November 23rd at Exposition Park. To sign up or donate, visit our DWC Team page. If you have any further questions, please email AnnaL@DWCweb.org.
TAKE BACK THE NIGHT Join us this Fall to Take Back the Night, an annual march and rally organized by the Downtown Women's Action Coalition (DWAC) to take direct action against rape and other forms of sexual violence. Follow DWC on Facebook to stay connected to Take Back the Night!
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INTERN WITH DWC THIS SEMESTER!
The Downtown Women's Center is currently seeking highly-motivated and passionate interns to fulfill a variety of roles within our Center.
We are looking to fill the following positions: * Nonprofit Management * Grants * Kitchen * Day Center * Social Enterprise, Business * Social Enterprise, Retail Inventory & Donations * Social Enterprise, Vocational Education Programs
To apply, please email your cover letter and resume to Stephanie Harris, Volunteer Engagement Associate, at Intern@DWCweb.org. Please specify the internship(s) in which you are interested. All internships are unpaid and require a minimum of 15-20 hours per week for at least 10 weeks. Academic credit is possible depending on requirements. All interns must currently be enrolled in an accredited college, university, or graduate school program.
For full internship job descriptions, please visit our website.
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VOLUNTEER WITH DWC!
DONATION SORTINGSort, organize, and distribute donations. Get to know fellow volunteers while helping us allocate vital clothing and household items to the Ladies. This opportunity is great for people who enjoy hands-on work, systematic organizing, and retail merchandising. Training is not required, so bring your friends and family and introduce them to the Center! Saturday, October 12th: 9:30am-12:00pm & 1:30-4:00pm Saturday, October 26th: 1:30-4:00pm Saturday, November 16th: 1:30-4:00pm
Saturday, November 23rd: 1:30-4:00pm
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION & TRAINING DATES Orientation: Saturday, October 19th from 10:00am-12:00pm
Training: Saturday, October 26th from 9:00am-12:00pm
TOUR THE CENTER Come visit and take a tour of the Center to learn more about our history, the services we offer, and permanent supportive housing as a solution to ending homelessness.
Every Tuesday at 10:30am & 2pm. Reservations are required in advance. Please RSVP to Tours@DWCweb.org.
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DWC Events
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Stay In Touch
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Join the DWC Team! See our current employment opportunities by clicking here.
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DOWNTOWN WOMEN'S CENTER 442 S. San Pedro Street Los Angeles, California 90013 213-680-0600
The mission of the Downtown Women's Center is to provide permanent supportive housing and a safe and healthy community fostering dignity, respect, and personal stability, and to advocate ending homelessness for women.
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