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Women’s Councils Involved in Community Outreach Programs

Supporting Shelters for Battered Women and Children

In an annual basket luncheon to support shelters for battered women and children, the Building Industry Association of Greater Los Angeles, Ventura Chapter Women’s Council this spring raised more than $2,000, a record, for Haven Hills, Restore-A Renew Center for Women, Coalition to End Family Violence, La Posada New Economics for Women and With Love, Grandma, Inc.

Families come to these shelters in desperation to flee unsafe domestic situations, leaving their personal belongings behind.

The more than 75 guests who attended this year’s event also donated baskets filled with toys, infant clothing, baby bottles, women’s hygiene products, blankets, clothes, socks, sweaters, school supplies and other items. The “baskets” included playpens, strollers, wading pools, infant car seats and toy wagons.

Griffin Industries of Calabasas, CA, won Best Basket for a corporate donation and Darlene Silverman of DRS Design won Best Basket for an individual donation.

Encouraging Exceptional Students

Carrying on a 14-year-old tradition of honoring exceptional students at the Career Center of the Winston-Salem/Forsyth, NC, County Schools, the Home Builders Association of Winston-Salem presented merit awards and letters of credit to help pay for tools and other course expenses related to furthering education in the construction industry.

Home builders also presented the center’s carpentry classes with a $400 tool.

A student who was selected for the most outstanding work in carpentry classes received a $500 scholarship presented in honor of past association member Lewis Wilson.

Helping Women Get Back to Work

Partnering with Gilbert Stuart Middle School's Parents Center in Providence, RI, the Rhode Island Builders Association Women’s Council gathered clothing donations for “Dress for Success,” a program that provides professional clothing for disadvantaged women as they make the transition from welfare to the workplace.

“Helping parents transition from home to work also helps their children, who may be at risk for accidents, mental illness, sexual abuse, physical abuse, teenage pregnancy, school failure and dropping out of school,” said Mary Giordano, the council’s president.

For more information on the NAHB Women’s Council, e-mail Amy Larrabee, or call her at 800-368-5242 x8455.

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