Valentine's Day at the Day Center
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Holidays at the day center can oftentimes be days filled with intense emotions for our clients, a longing to be with their loved ones, or a difficult reminder of the situation they are currently experiencing. The one exception every year is Valentine’s Day, or as we like to call it at the day center Galentine's Day. The reason I believe February 14th is always such a positive and light-hearted day at the day center is because this idea of Galentine’s Day aligns with the overarching philosophy and theme of the day center, the clients we serve, and the work we do every day of the year. So when Valentine’s Day (aka Galentine’s Day) rolls around each year, it is just a positive reminder of how incredibly supportive and loving the day center community is, the bond that our strong and resilient women share, the love we receive from the community daily, and the immense power that stems from women supporting women.
On February 14th this year, three very special things happened:
- A woman from our community brought in two beautiful bouquets of roses and the room immediately filled with happy sounds, words of appreciation, and lots of smiles. The day center clients shared how special they felt that someone from our community would think of them on Valentine’s Day and then choose to donate dozens of roses to the day center. They discussed how it made them feel very cared about and less alone in our greater community.
- Angela, our Executive Director and Karina, the co-founder of the Sophia Way and a Sophia Way Board Member donated, prepared, and served lunch to the day center participants. After Angela and Karina left I was talking with some of the day center participants and they disclosed that they could not believe that both Angela and Karina would take time out of their busy days especially on Valentine’s Day to come down and serve them lunch, chat with them, and even do the dishes. Karina and Angela had no obligation to come and be lunch volunteers that day but they are both prime examples of women who are dedicated to supporting women every day of the year.
- Near the end of the day we handed out goody bags that were made and donated by the National Charity League, which spread so much joy among-st the women. We also received cookies, Valentine’s Day cards, and candy from a local school and many other selfless community members. These donations were far more than just acts of kindness, they were acts of support, love, empowerment, and a big reminder that the women are surrounded by a community that deeply cares about their well-being and success.
On behalf of The Sophia Way, I would like to thank each one of you for supporting the work we are doing and for providing the amazing women we serve with encouragement and joy throughout the year.
Carla Walp
Day Center Manager
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Construction near St. Luke's Lutheran Church
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If you have visited our Sophia's Place Shelter in the past few weeks, you probably noticed the construction happening in what used to be our parking lot! We are thrilled that Imagine Housing has broken ground on their new affordable housing complex,
30 Bellevue
, which will provide affordable housing for 63 local low-income individuals and families, meeting a huge need in our community.
The only small downside is that the back parking lot which used to be dedicated to our staff, clients, volunteers, and donors, is now fenced off and closed for construction. If you are dropping off a meal or other donations, please park in the fire lane to the left of the church - there is a sign marking Sophia's Place Loading Zone and a paved walkway that will take you back to the Sophia's Place entrance.
If you are visiting for more than a few minutes (using our services, or for a tour or volunteer orientation, etc.) please find a parking spot in the lot in front of the church.
W
e appreciate your patience and understanding as construction unfolds over the next 18 months.
Thank you for your cooperation!
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“How can I help The Sophia Way?” is a frequent question we are asked. Supporters can donate shelter essentials, provide a meal, volunteer time or donate money.
One of our supporters, Cathy Relyea, a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, has provided free makeovers and donated cosmetics to the women in the shelter. In addition, Cathy holds a yearly Holiday Bazaar that benefits The Sophia Way.
“Each year, when I hold my Holiday Bazaar, I ask my customers to donate something on Sophia Way’s wish list. In return, I give the donor a discount on their Mary Kay purchase. I love delivering the donations to The Sophia Way, but even more, I am excited about increasing awareness of the organization. Every time I invite my customers to my Bazaar, I mention The Sophia Way, and the circle of support grows!”
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New In-Kind Donation Policy
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Many of our greatest services to our clients are made possible by generous in-kind donors like you. We appreciate your cooperation with our new donation policy, as we strive to better serve our clients and improve the experience for donors:
- Clothes, toiletries, food, and other shelter supplies should be dropped off at our Sophia's Place Shelter at St. Luke's - 3032 Bellevue Way NE. Please refer to parking information above. Sophia's Place drop-off hours are Mondays-Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:00 to 5:30 pm.
- Household items can be dropped off at our unit at Public Storage at 12465 Northup Way. Household drop-off hours are Thursdays from 3:00 to 5:00 pm by appointment.
Please visit our
current needs page
regularly to see what items we are are currently accepting. Due to limited space, we ask that all donations be limited to two small bags/boxes at a time unless otherwise arranged.
Thank you again for making a huge impact with your gift of supplies!
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Computer Donations to the office
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Growth! This aptly describes what’s taking place at The Sophia Way right now.
It’s a very exciting time! We are growing to meet the increasing need as we serve more women in all of our programs. More women are accessing our life saving services at the Day Center. More women are seeking warmth and safety at our Emergency Winter Shelter and more women are getting into housing!
But this doesn’t just happen. It takes a lot of resources to serve a vulnerable population
On a daily basis, our professional and dedicated staff work with women and love helping them find and move into a place they can call HOME.
To keep up with our increasing needs in the office, we had a donor named Stephen Boyle donate eleven (11) brand new computers to all our office staff. Stephen donated computers for the clients at the shelter too. He believes that we need to have the best technology to get our work done. Being in the technology hub, he believes the community should be able to help the local non profits deliver high-quality work.
Thanks to Stephen, we all can help women get into housing efficiently.
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Partnership with Pacific Regent -
A Retirement Community in Bellevue
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Pacific Regent is a retirement community in Downtown Bellevue.
They have been supporting our mission by donating hand-made scarves, hats gloves and other cold weather items for the women at our shelter for last two years.
Paul Hirz and Arlene Alton, residents of this community are always looking for new ways to partner and help. They revved up participation with a shelter tour for all the residents last year. After that, in addition to monetary in-kind contributions, they created and donated beautiful gift baskets for the women we serve as part of our Holiday Initiative. And most recently, to increase their understanding and awareness of homelessness and our work, they invited Cynthia Brown, Emergency Services Director for Sophia Way, to share information about the ways we help move women become safe, secure and stable in their own permanent home.
Thank you for your care and compassion towards your neighbors experiencing homelessness!
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Our Office
The Sophia Way
11061 NE 2nd Street, Suite 223
Bellevue, WA 98004
Ph: 425-463-6285
Fax: 425-455-8607
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Our Shelter
Sophia’s Place
3032 Bellevue Way NE
Bellevue, WA 98004
Ph: 425-896-7385
Bus Route: 249
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