Local agencies ban together to raise funds for emergency shelter for women and children

Warren County agencies, including Warren Coalition, Blue Ridge Housing Network and the Thermal Shelter, have come together to create a fund that will be used to provide emergency shelter for women and children. This is a critical need in Warren County, as there is no shelter for them in the immediate area. Women who have children and lose their homes suddenly need a place where they and their children will be safe while they look for long-term housing options.

The immediate goal of the group is to raise enough funds that a mother and her children can be placed in a hotel for up to two weeks. The long-term goal is to rent an apartment for a full year and make it available to these families in need, so that no Warren County mother keeps her kids in a car overnight or loses her children because of a temporary setback in life.

During the Wine & Craft Festival on May 20^th, the group will host a booth to raise funds for this program. They will sell handmade paper bead bracelets from Uganda, donated by Beth Waller, for $10 each. They will also accept donations of any size at the booth. To encourage gifts, the donors will be entered into a drawing for various prizes. Names will be drawn throughout the afternoon, culminating in several large prizes being awarded at 5:30 pm. (The minimum donation to be entered into the drawing will be $5.)

A handmade Afghan blanket is one of the prizes for the drawing being held as a thank-you for those making donations to the Emergency Shelter Fund during the Wine & Craft Festival.

The group has already gathered a homemade Afghan blanket, scented candle, tie-dyed handkerchief, and an iridescent tote bag, with additional items to come. Anyone who would like to donate a drawing prize to give out during the Wine and Craft Festival may contact the Warren Coalition Community Outreach Coordinator, Celeste Brooks, at celeste@warrencoalition.org or 540-660-3367.

To make a monetary gift directly to the program, write a check to “Warren Coalition” and write “Emergency Shelter” in the memo line. The check can be sent to Warren Coalition, PO Box 2058, Front Royal, VA 22630. Donations may also be made online at warrencoalition.org.