Women’s Hearth is a drop-in day center in downtown Spokane–a safe space for women who have experienced poverty, trauma and/or homelessness to find a “hearth” of welcome, respect, and community. Women’s Hearth provides activities, classes, social service referrals and housing-search case management in a compassionate and supportive environment 5 days a week. Participants also have access to phones, computers, internet, healthy food, hygiene supplies, and showers.

The Hearth is a safe, welcoming community that promotes growth and well-being in body, mind, and spirit for women of diverse backgrounds. It fosters nurturing relationships, encourages self-determination, and advocates for change in systems that oppress women. During 2022, a total of 1,035 women accessed services at the Hearth and 17 of those women obtained housing.

For more information, visit our website at https://help4women.org/womens-hearth/

We have regular opportunities for donating goods, especially with the holidays coming up. We give 200 bags out every year and need several items for those bags along with general donations for our daily hygiene closet. I suggest calling the Hearth (509-455-4249) to get the most up-to-date emergent needs but here is a good list of things we always need:

• travel size shampoo conditioner and body wash
• regular size conditioner, shampoo, and body wash
• pocket tissues
• large boxes of tissues
• cough drops
• travel size toothpaste
• sleeping bags
• winter coats
• winter boots
• small underwear (size 5 and 6)

Our volunteer opportunities are:

Knit and Crochet Group Leader
This group has historically met on Fridays from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. but could be moved to another time.

The position entails restocking and bringing out our knit/crochet cart from the art storage room, greeting people who come for the group time and answering basic questions about crochet and/or knitting. We would love this to be an ongoing weekly class and recommend having a group of people to lead it if possible.

Art Class Leader
We have a large art supply room full of a variety of donated materials. We are looking for people to lead single session and repeated art classes. We can provide suggestions but would love some volunteers to keep the art room organized and plan art classes for our participants. 

Sewing Instructors
This is the area we have the most requests in. We have a huge sewing room filled to the brim with supplies including sewing machines, a serger, and a ton of fabric.

We are looking for:

• Hand-sewing classes
• Sewing as art classes
• Simple mending and alterations classes
• Quilting classes

We are also looking for general volunteers to help with cleaning, sorting, cooking, teaching classes, etc.

Please let me know if there are any other questions. Any volunteer inquiries and questions can be sent directly to me. They can call or email. We have a volunteer application and background check for ongoing volunteers located on our website for any individual ongoing volunteers.

Volunteer – Transitions (help4women.org)

Sincerely,

Ariel Fitzgerald
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Volunteer and Activities Coordinator
afitzgerald@help4women.org