IN THIS ISSUE:
Holiday Needs
To help make the season brighter for the families WAA serves, consider giving a gift from the agency’s holiday wish list. Click to download the list.
All items should be new and unwrapped and submitted by December 16, 2008. Cash gifts cannot be distributed to clients, but those who wish to make monetary contributions may give directly to WAA. (See “City Cuts WAA Shelter Funding.”)
For questions about the wish list or to arrange a donation drop-off or pick-up, contact Katie Young Wildes at 215-386-1280, ext. 115 or kyoungwildes@womenagainstabuse.org.
Pass it on
If you know someone who may be interested in receiving this newsletter, you can easily forward up to five copies at once.
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City Cuts WAA Shelter Funding
WAA was recently informed that the City of Philadelphia, which provides 75 percent of the emergency shelter's funding, will cut the agency’s shelter contract. The impact of this 15 percent reduction is especially severe as WAA is already halfway through its contract and must eliminate $300,000 from the shelter budget in the next six months.
Despite the cuts, the agency’s main priority is to minimize the effect of the economic crisis on client services by cutting costs wherever possible, seeking opportunities for new funding and asking loyal supporters to help make up the difference.
“WAA is a strong organization with a committed staff, supporters and Board of Directors, and I am confident that we will weather this storm and continue to be a safety net for the thousands of individuals who seek our help each year,” said Heather Keafer, WAA’s Interim Executive Director.
To help WAA continue providing caring and compassionate services in these tough economic times, please make a tax-deductible donation at womenagainstabuse.org or mail a check to:
Development Associate
Women Against Abuse
100 South Broad Street, Suite 1341
Philadelphia, PA 19110
iPledge Campaign Breaks New Ground in Citywide Anti-DV Effort
In September, WAA launched its first-ever iPledge social awareness campaign, urging Philadelphians to take a stand against violence in homes and the community. The campaign was sponsored by Verizon Wireless with support from the City of Philadelphia.
To drive home the message, WAA unleashed a blitz of colorful outdoor graphics in Center City and in area newspapers, and launched iPledgeWAA.org, where supporters signed an online pledge to speak up for survivors of domestic violence.
WAA also partnered with other organizations in a host of community-wide events, including a cell phone drive at Citizens Bank Ballpark to collect phones for victims of domestic violence and a 5K walk sponsored by Senator LeAnna Washington.
The campaign kicked off on September 24 in a City Hall press conference, where Mayor Michael Nutter pledged his support for domestic violence survivors. In a separate ceremony, City Councilwoman Marian Tasco also presented WAA with a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Philadelphia.
To date, more than 200 people have visited iPledgeWAA.org to take the pledge. (Don’t forget to make your pledge, if you haven’t already!) To see pictures from campaign events, click here.
Dish It Up Tasting Event Raises Thousands for WAA Programs
Food, fun and happy feet were the highlights of WAA’s first annual Dish It Up fundraiser and tasting event, held September 18 at the FUEL House in Old City.
In its first year, Dish It Up drew more than 180 guests who clamored to taste inspired offerings from women-owned restaurants, including Black N’ Brew, Culinary Concepts, Dock Street Brewery, Fitzwater Café, Fork, Hofbräu München, Le Virtù, Mercato, Under the Oak Café and Union Gourmet Market and Café.
Proceeds from the evening’s ticket and merchandise sales, raffles and silent auction totaled more than $35,000.
To see pictures from this year’s event, click here.
Children’s Art Exhibit in Mt. Airy Attracts Art Lovers of All Ages
“All Children Are Artists,” an exhibit of children’s art in the style of famed artists, debuted at the Sedgwick Gallery on November 7 with a reception during Mt. Airy’s First Friday celebration.
On display at the Sedgwick were more than 20 kids’ creations inspired by artists such as William Kentridge, Piet Mondrian and Georgia O’Keeffe. All of the pieces displayed were created by participants in the shelter’s summer camp art program, which was led by artist-in-residence Sarah Thompson.
The emergency shelter summer camp program was sponsored in part by Wawa Corporate Charities, Inc. and the School District of Philadelphia. To see pictures from the exhibit, click here.
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