Hope for the Holidays 2020
Join us for YWCA Spokane’s 5th Annual Hope for the Holidays Adopt-A-Family Wishlist Program
In these difficult times, your contributions are so meaningful and will make this season a little brighter for those impacted by domestic violence, homelessness, and unemployment.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope for the Holidays looks a little different this year. To reduce potential exposure, our Domestic Violence Safe Shelter and Women’s Opportunity Center are asking for gift card donations. Our families will then be empowered to buy their own gifts. A gift card allows a mother to experience the joy of picking out personalized items for her children and allow families to make their own special holiday meal.
To accommodate the different needs of families utilizing our services, each department has its own wishlist. Take a moment to learn more about each department’s needs.
- Women’s Opportunity Center (WOC)
- Domestic Violence Safe Shelter – All Shelter Families have been adopted! Thank you!
- Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) – All ECEAP Families have been adopted! Thank you!
Contact the program of interest to adopt a family this season. On behalf of our team at YWCA Spokane and those we serve, thank you so much for your support!
For general questions, please email hopefortheholidays@ywcaspokane.org.
Please complete this online donation form so we know which family you will be ceremoniously adopting.
The form is closed but 2021 Families are available here!
After you purchase your gift, please complete this Donation Receipt. Print one to include when returning your gift with the total value of your contribution and one for your records.
Donation Receipt
Also, please share a photo with us of you and your group with your gifts!
Donation Deadline
To accommodate ECEAP’s winter break schedule and allow our families requesting gift cards time to shop for themselves ahead of the holidays, all donations need to be delivered by Thursday, December 10.
Holiday donations can be delivered to YWCA Spokane, 930 N. Monroe St., Spokane, WA 99201. If you would like to mail your gift, please address it to the program of choice (i.e. WOC or DV Safe Shelter).
Thank you for your gracious support this holiday season!
Women’s Opportunity Center (WOC)
Contact Information: Chris at 509-202-5613 or email chrisc@ywcaspokane.org
YWCA Spokane’s Women’s Opportunity Center offers free services geared toward personal growth, resourcefulness and a belief that each woman is capable of pursuing her dreams. Through COVID-19 we have continued to come alongside women to provide mentorship, coaching, and advocacy in support of women’s economic stability through employment services and Mobility Mentoring. Additionally we have continued to provide parenting classes, free clothing resources and wellness programs geared toward helping women regain a deep sense of wholeness and self worth. Learn more about services in YWCA Spokane’s Women’s Opportunity Center.
This year, Women’s Opportunity Center is requesting gift cards which will empower clients to purchase their own gifts with safety and flexibility. Please complete the donation form above if you’d like to donate a gift card to a woman in our program. A gift card to a store like Fred Meyer or Target allows women to purchase everything from clothing and gifts to grocery supplies.
Once A Family Has Been Adopted:
- Please complete the Donation Receipt to include with your gift and one for your records!
- Please share with us a photo of you and your group with your gifts!
- Please donate all gifts unwrapped.
- Feel good knowing you made a family’s holiday a little brighter. <3
Domestic Violence Safe Shelter
Contact Information: Melanie at 509-863-2882 or email melaniew@ywcaspokane.org
Please contact Melanie for the latest family availability.
All Shelter Families have been adopted! Thank you so much!
Click on a family picture to learn more about how your generous gift could be used.
- ADOPTED! Leslie is a mother of two small children and is a domestic violence survivor. Leslie’s son who is 3years old, and daughter who is 5 years old, bring so much joy to her life! The kids love running around the big rooms at the safe shelter. Leslie is always in the kitchen and is a fantastic cook! Leslie’s hope for the holidays is that she and the children will continue to heal from the abuse they have suffered, and that she will be able to follow through with her plans to attend college. Leslie would love to make her favorite holiday treats as she always has and continue this holiday tradition with her kids. Help Leslie and her family with a $300 Fred Meyer gift card.
- ADOPTED! This family has a mom Judy and her three little kids. There is a baby girl 18 months old, and two sons, one son who is 3 years old, and one son who is 5 years old. Judy definitely has her hands full but does such a great job keeping up with these three! Judy was just recently able to get a used, but nice van, and is thrilled to be able to drive her and the kids to appointments instead of having to take the bus. Judy is working hard along with our housing advocates to find permanent housing. Judy is gathering the household items they will need when housing comes through. Help Judy and her family with a $400 Walmart gift card.
- ADOPTED! Lillian is a 28-year-old mom of one 12-year-old daughter and a 3-year-old German shepherd dog. Lillian entered our shelter after leaving her partner of 15 years. She relocated here for her partner’s career and has no family in the area. She has not been able to find a new job or support system since she moved but has enjoyed spending time outdoors with her daughter and exploring new sites. They love to walk, take hikes, and just enjoy nature with their dog. Since they are not originally from this area, the cold and snowy weather is an adjustment. Warm clothing and outdoor gear would be amazing for their winters here. They also love to stay warm and cozy when indoors and bake cookies and eat popcorn. Help Lillian and her family with a $200 Walmart gift card.
- ADOPTED! Maria is a mom who is 32, with a 14-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son. They also brought their cat with them when they arrived at the safe shelter. Maria is expecting her third child in February and is excited for the new baby, even under these difficult circumstances. The kids are attending school and have been attending virtually from the shelter every weekday. Mom would love to be able to purchase some warmer maternity pants. She would also like to get her kids some fun toys and games that they have been asking for. Maria is looking forward to finding a place to call their own and being settled in before the baby arrives. Some things that would be helpful are towels, blankets and kitchen items. Help Maria and her family with a $300 Target gift card.
- ADOPTED! In this family there is a mom, Peggy with two little boys. One son is 7 and the other 5. Mom and her kids have come to us after fleeing an abusive partner and have been with us just two weeks. The family is still adjusting to all of the changes they are going through. Peggy is working part time and has family in town that helps her with the kid’s school, during the week. This family is still adjusting to all the changes, but is looking forward to celebrating Christmas together. Help Peggy and her family with a $300 Walmart gift card.
- ADOPTED! This is a three-person family. Keisha is the mom, and she is 30 years old, and a domestic violence survivor. Keisha has a daughter who is three years old, and a daughter who is six years old. Keisha’s hope for the holidays is for some self-care, pampering items for her, and some fun games, and indoor and outdoor toys that her kids can play with during the winter months ahead. Keisha is just finishing up her CNA classes, and is looking forward to being a strong, working role model for her children. Help Keisha and her family with a $300 Walmart gift card.
- ADOPTED! In this family, there is a mom named Crystal, her 4-year-old son, and her 3-month-old baby girl. Crystal is so excited to be a mother, but also struggles with all of the responsibilities of being a single parent of a young child and a newborn. Crystal is working closely with our housing department and is learning what other local resources are available to her to make things a little easier. Help Crystal and her family with a $300 Target gift card.
- ADOPTED! Tracey is a mom of three who came into our shelter seeking safety from an abusive relationship with her kid’s father. She has family and friends in the area but does not want to put anyone she loves in danger by staying with them. Her oldest son is 9 years old and loves video games and Legos. Her 5-year-old son loves to color, paint and loves learning how to read. Her youngest daughter is 4 years old and loves to play dress up and collect dolls. Since the family had to leave without taking any of their belongings each of them has been without the things they love. There is no legal protection yet, so Tracey does not feel safe entering the home her husband still resides. Every year during the holiday season, she loves to bake and make homemade holiday decorations. Since, they had to leave so much behind any help with gifts this season will help them feel at home with some added peace joy. Help Tracey and her family with a $400 Target gift card.
- ADOPTED! This family has a mom named Jen and her two boys. One son is 13 years old and the other son is 11 years old. They also have a beloved Beagle who is nearing eight years old. Jen and her boys are all Seattle Seahawks enthusiasts and love watching games together. This family comes to the Spokane area from the West Side after fleeing a very abusive partner and they love Spokane already! Help Jen and her family with a $300 Fred Meyer gift card.
- ADOPTED! Jessica is 32 years-old and is expecting her first child this year. She entered our shelter with her cat Furball after her mom’s concern encouraged her to call our crisis line and reach out for emergency shelter. Her partner of 5 years has been verbally and emotionally abusive for years. Things started to get physical recently and he isolated her from her friends and family for so long she did not recognize how bad things had gotten. When she found out she was pregnant she starting to think about what the future held for her and her baby girl. She started reaching out to her mom and telling her more about her home life, until they finally created a safety plan for her to exit from her home and safely into our shelter. Jessica loves to knit and watch crime documentaries. She misses her craft space and cannot wait to share her passion with her daughter one day. Help Jessica with a $100 Walmart gift card.
Once A Family Has Been Adopted:
- Please complete the Donation Receipt to include with your gift and one for your records!
- Please share with us a photo of you and your group with your gifts!
- Please donate all gifts unwrapped.
- Feel good knowing you made a family’s holiday a little brighter. <3
Early childhood Education and assistance program (ECEAP)
Contact Information: Emily at 509-789-9271 or at emilys@ywcaspokane.org
Please contact Emily for the latest family availability.
All ECEAP Families have been adopted! Thank you so much!
This year, we have 92 families, all in full day classes. We have been serving both remote and in-person learners to best meet the needs of our community.
ECEAP is a FREE preschool that promotes long-term success with school and life. ECEAP provides preschool education, family support, and health and nutrition services. Learn more about YWCA Spokane’s ECEAP.
Click on a family picture to see the family’s wishlist.
- ADOPTED! Single mom raising four amazing kids, two boys and two girls. Five-year-old boy has a terminal medical condition, and Mom tires every year to make everything wonderful for everyone. Oldest boy is happy, caring, and loving. Oldest girl is wild, carefree, and sensitive. Youngest boy is sweet, loving, and determined. Youngest girl is bright, happy, and sleep.
- ADOPTED! We are an easy-going family. We love to listen to music, play games, and go on little adventures at the park.
- ADOPTED! We are a family of six. All my children have special needs and keep me very busy. It is my job to be their voice and help educate others on how to educate them. I love advocacy and helping my community. I have returned to school this year to strengthen my skills and abilities to support others who have had challenging situations with addiction, grief, autism, and poverty.
- ADOPTED! We are a family of 4, Shawn (Dad), Persephanie (Mom), “Bri” (daughter, 7), and “Kiki” (daughter, almost 5). We have 4 cats. We love to be goofy. Kiki is developmentally delayed. Bri loves everything about foxes, cats, and cheetahs.
- ADOPTED! Single mother of 2, an infant and a preschooler.
- ADOPTED! Family of 4
- ADOPTED! A combined family that enjoys family night. Sports and Seahawks fans. We love the outdoors! Two little girly girls, older one is a typical emo teen, and our boy is techy.
- ADOPTED! I’m a single mother of 2. I have 2 amazing children. My daughter is on NJHS (National Junior Honor Society) and is excelling in her academics. My son was struggling with his speech but has done a huge turn around. Thank you for your support.
- ADOPTED!
- ADOPTED! We are a hardworking family. We currently have to live with my mother. I completely cannot work due to my mouth issues but am trying hard to find work now that I am not having as many issues. My husband has been supporting both our family and my mother and brother. Thank you for everything!
- ADOPTED! We are a family living with friend and trying to get back on our feet. Mom is in school full-time and dad is working. We love staying busy with the kids and playing outside.
- ADOPTED! I am a single mom trying to get by. I have always done what I feel will be best for my children. This includes leaving the children’s father because of our DV relationship and that was something my children were not going to see anymore. They are my world and I strive daily to show them a better life.
- ADOPTED! I am a single young mom of 2 beautiful children. We recently got our first apartment after 2 years of homelessness and have been doing well. It is a day to day struggle, but we are doing it. We appreciate the life we have and how far we have come.
- ADOPTED! I am a single mom to 2 wonderful kids. Ayden is 17 and ready to change the world. Calvin (3) is the sweetest soul.
- ADOPTED! Our family is very active. We love being outdoors and staying busy from hiking to road trips.
- ADOPTED! We are a family who moved to Spokane to flee a DV relationship. As this has brought many challenges, it has also brought many smiles! My family has never been happier and for this I am grateful.
- ADOPTED! Blended family with new family members.
- ADOPTED!
- ADOPTED! We are a blended family with kids ranging from ages 2-months to 17 years old. We enjoy watching family movies and playing board games appropriate for all ages.
- ADOPTED! We are a family of girls. Dad is outnumbered. We are licensed foster parents and will soon adopt. We like to take short road trips to see cool places. We have 2 old dogs and one old cat. Thank you so much. We appreciate anything!
Once A Family Has Been Adopted:
- Please complete the Donation Receipt to include with your gift and one for your records!
- Please share with us a photo of you and your group with your gifts!
- Please donate all gifts unwrapped.
- Feel good knowing you made a family’s holiday a little brighter. <3
Photo Submission
At the end of this year’s campaign we will celebrate with a gallery of photos on our website, at ywcaspokane.org, acknowledging all our wonderful supporters (be sure to include your Donation Receipt when returning your gift).
To submit a photo, please complete the form below. Thank you!
[formidable id=”14″ title=”1″]
By: Jemma Riedel-Johnson
Share:
Categories:
Related Posts
Supporting Youth TDVAM 2025
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month (TDVAM), a time dedicated to raising awareness about the realities of teen dating violence and empowering our community to take action. With 1 in 3 teens experiencing dating violence and the majority never telling anyone, it’s clear that awareness and support are critical….