It has been a LONG silence, but we have been very busy over the last few months! Our main project has been to knit and crochet scarves for The Center for Women and Families, a local domestic violence and rape crisis center here in Louisville.
We had about 60 scarves left over from Bearcat Carnival in September, so I talked to a representative at the Center and found they had approximate 70 women in residence at the downtown shelter and at least 30 more in some of the satellite facilities in our area. Our goal was to put together at least 100 gift bags containing a handmade scarf and some travel-sized toiletry items. I started soliciting help from other adults in our school community and got lots of help from teachers, office staff, and even parents. I also taught a few willing co-workers to knit so they could help out as well!
We had about 60 scarves left over from Bearcat Carnival in September, so I talked to a representative at the Center and found they had approximate 70 women in residence at the downtown shelter and at least 30 more in some of the satellite facilities in our area. Our goal was to put together at least 100 gift bags containing a handmade scarf and some travel-sized toiletry items. I started soliciting help from other adults in our school community and got lots of help from teachers, office staff, and even parents. I also taught a few willing co-workers to knit so they could help out as well!
In November, we invited Joann Rowan, one of the education coordinators to speak to our group. She shared many sobering statistics with the girls, one of which was that 1 in 3 women will be a victim of domestic abuse in her lifetime. After hearing that, the girls looked around at each other and one asked, "You mean that of the three of us at this table, one of us will probably be a victim of abuse?" and Ms. Rowan nodded and said, "Unfortunately, yes." After the presentation, a few girls put together a Powerpoint that shared what they learned and asked for support of a bake sale we were planning. The money from the bake sale would be used by the Center for a new holiday program. They asked for donations of $25 gift cards. The cards will be used by mothers at the Center for holiday shopping and allow them the dignity of being able to buy gifts directly for their own children.
Our bake sale raised over $200. With that money and additional funds, Stitch for a Cause was able to purchase twelve $25 gift cards.
Our bake sale raised over $200. With that money and additional funds, Stitch for a Cause was able to purchase twelve $25 gift cards.
Today, was the culmination of our efforts this fall. Parent volunteers drove nine students to the main office of the Center for Women and Families on S. 2nd Street and we dropped off 111 gift bags. It was very rewarding and the students were excited to be giving away something they had worked hard on and that would make someone happy.
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