Laura’s House Newsletter Winter 2011
Posted on March 27, 2012
Check out our Winter 2011 Newsletter!
In this issue:
- Letter from the Executive Director
- Sponsor New Beginnings This Year End
- Upcoming Events
- "Spirit of Empowerment" Program Holiday Gift Drive
- Trees for a Cause
- Cornerstone Capital Campaign Update & Upcoming Dedication Ceremony
- Volunteer Highlight - Devin O'Reilly
- Annual Gala Recap - Island Breezes Annual Gala Raises $150,000
- Art Therapy Mediums: Clay, Frames, & Jewels
- Grants
WINE & DINE EVENT
Posted on March 26, 2012
Join us for a fabulous wine and culinary experience at Big Canyon Country Club. Enjoy wine tasting, a fabulous auction and stationed dinner reception. Dine on delicious bites, peruse wonderful wine. Tickets available on-line here.
Laura’s House adds Members of the Orange County Business Community to Board of Directors
Posted on March 20, 2012
From left to right: Kurt Ross and Rick Lutzky
Rick Lutzky and Kurt Ross join in supporting Laura’s House in its mission to end the silence of domestic violence
LADERA RANCH, Calif., March 19, 2012 – Continuing to strengthen the ties that it has with the Orange County business community, Laura’s House is pleased to welcome Rick Lutzky, Founder of Lutzky Associates Development, LP; and, Kurt Ross, Senior Vice President for Sunwest Bank to its board of directors.
Based in Ladera Ranch, Laura’s House is a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe place in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
“We are honored to welcome Rick and Kurt to our board of directors,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “Together, these individuals continue to demonstrate their commitment to supporting the local communities in which they do business, through their involvement in numerous community and civic organizations. We look forward to leveraging the unique talents they each bring to Laura’s House, as part of our ongoing efforts to end the silence of domestic violence here in Orange County.”
About the New Board Members
Kurt Ross is senior vice president and team leader for the Laguna Hills Office of Sunwest Bank. Since his banking career began in 1981, Ross has held Business Relationship Banker positions with Bank of America, Union Bank, Pacific Mercantile Bank and California Bank & Trust.
Ross, an Orange County native, received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Chapman University and also graduated from Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Ross volunteered at Cal State Fullerton’s Small Business Institute mentoring students in counseling projects with small businesses.
Rick Lutzky has worked in the real estate development industry since 1982. Over the past 30 he has developed or directed the development of more than 6.5 million square feet of commercial real estate. During his career, Rick has worked with W.R. Grace Development Company and Birtcher Real Estate Group. In 1998, he founded Lutzky Associates Development, LP. His impressive list of clients includes The First American Corporation, the County of Los Angeles and Rancho Mission Viejo, LLC. Since July 2009, Rick has volunteered approximately 1,200 hours to the Laura’s House emergency shelter rebuild project, in which he was instrumental in bringing it in more than $600,000 under budget, representing a savings of 24% of the overall budget. In December 2011, Laura’s House celebrated the grand opening of its new shelter, increasing its capacity to serve domestic violence victims in Orange County by 93%.
The Laura’s House Board of Directors is comprised of a diverse group of 15 uniquely talented individuals who represent a wide cross-section of the Orange County business community.
About Laura’s House
Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided residential shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 families, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
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Laura’s House Resale Store to Celebrates Grand Re-Opening
Posted on February 28, 2012
On March 1, the resale boutique will celebrate three years as a thriving member of the Lake Forest business community; special items to be featured include a collection of dresses donated by “Real Housewives of Orange County” star, Lynn Curtin
Ladera Ranch, Calif., Feb. 23, 2012 – In celebration of its third anniversary as a member of the Lake Forest business community, the Laura’s House Resale Store, formerly known as Portobello Road, will host an open house from 10:00 a.m. open to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 1, with a special reception hosted from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
During the open house, store patrons will have the opportunity to participate in, and win prizes through a series of raffles and games. Throughout the day, Laura’s House volunteers and staff will informally model some of the Resale Store’s most fashionable clothing, shoes, accessories and jewelry, including a collection of dresses donated by “Real Housewives of Orange County Star,” Lynn Curtin, whose mother is a dedicated volunteer at the store. The open house will culminate in a public reception featuring music by “DJ Wendy,” a local DJ who has donated her services for the evening, and light hors d’ oeuvres, wine and soft drinks.
In commenting on the Resale Store’s anniversary, General Manager Paolo Scarfo said, “Over the past three years, the Laura’s House Resale Store has established itself has a vibrant fixture within the Lake Forest business community, and we are delighted to invite the public to join us in celebrating our success. We are also grateful to the growing number of clientele who frequent our store, and whose patronage enables us to raise the much-needed funds that directly support Laura’s House in providing counseling, shelter and community outreach programs for families that are impacted by domestic violence.”
Formerly known as Portobello Road, the mission of the Laura’s House Resale Store is to raise funds to support the programs and services that Laura’s House provides to families throughout Orange County community, and beyond, who are rebuilding lives that are free of violence. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence, while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
Laura’s House Resale Store is located in the Twin Peaks Shopping Center at 23635 El Toro Road, Suite F in Lake Forest, Calif. Store hours are Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and, Sunday from Noon to 5:00 p.m.
The store is currently accepting donations of gently used designer, formal, business and casual clothing and shoes for women, children and men, jewelry, paintings, collectibles and books. Donors should be aware that Laura’s House cannot accept items that are torn or stained, large furniture and appliances, mattresses, box springs and undergarments, and that city law prohibits leaving items at the rear or front of the store outside of normal business hours. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided upon drop-off. Donation drop-off hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Laura’s House Resale Store can be reached by phone at 949-472-8800.
About Laura’s House
Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 battered women and children, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse. More information on the programs and services offered by Laura’s House is available at www.laurashouse.org.
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Laguna Niguel resident hosts “Clothes Exchange Party” to benefit Laura’s House
Posted on February 23, 2012
For the past 14 years, friends and neighbors of Diane Smith have looked forward to the cleaning out their closets and bringing clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories to “trade-in” for items that are new to them; at the end of the day, all remaining items are donated to Laura’s House
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Feb. 23, 2012 – Laguna Niguel resident, Diane Smith has found a unique way to give to Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence. Every winter, for the past 14 years, she has hosted a one-day “Clothes Exchange Party” in her home to benefit local charities, including Laura’s House.
When describing the “Clothes Exchange Party,” Diane Smith said, “I call it a win, win, win situation. My friends and neighbors benefit in several ways – they get motivated to really clean out their closets and get rid of unwanted items, and they come home after the exchange with new items that they didn’t have to pay for. Additionally, they get the satisfaction of knowing that their donations will also benefit the women and children served by Laura’s House, many of whom arrive at the shelter with nothing but the clothing on their backs, as they make a new start, and rebuild their lives free of violence.”
This year, the “Clothes Exchange Party” took place at Diane’s home in Laguna Niguel on Sunday, February 12, 2012. More than 80 women joined in for an afternoon of shopping, fun and fellowship. Light snacks and drinks were served as participants perused racks of clothing and tables full of jewelry and accessories. Donors participating in the event were asked to drop off their clothing and other items a several days in advance so that Smith and her volunteers could arrange the items in “boutique” fashion to enhance the shopping experience. “I really couldn’t have done this without all of the volunteers who spent endless hours setting up and taking down after the event,” continued Smith.
Following the “Clothes Exchange Party,” more than 2,000 pieces of clothing, shoes and accessories were collected for Laura’s House. Donated items will be given to the women and children served by the Laura’s House shelter. Additionally, donations will be used by the Laura’s House Resale Store in Lake Forest, which sells gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, collectibles and artwork to generate income to support the programs and services offered by Laura’s House.
“We are grateful to Diane and other members of the local community who are consistently coming up with creative ways to support our organization,” said Paolo Scarfo, General Manager, Laura’s House Resale Store. “There are so many ways in which one can help to raise money and build awareness for the work that we do here in the community, and I cannot underestimate the positive impact that events like this have on our organization and the families we serve.
About the Laura’s House Resale Store Since 1995, Laura’s House has maintained a thrift store to support the funding of our programs and services. The Laura’s House Resale Store is located at 23635 El Toro Road, Suite F in Lake Forest, and is open on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and, Sunday from Noon to 5:00 p.m.
The Laura’s House Resale Store accepts donations including gently used designer, formal, business and casual clothing and shoes for women, children and men, jewelry, paintings, collectibles and books. Donors should be aware that Laura’s House cannot accept items that are torn or stained, large furniture and appliances, mattresses, box springs and undergarments, and that city law prohibits leaving items at the rear or front of the store outside of normal business hours. All donations are tax deductible and a receipt will be provided upon drop-off. Donation drop-off hours are Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Laura’s House Resale Store can be reached by phone at 949-472-8800.
About Laura’s House Over the past eighteen years, Laura’s House has provided shelter and support services to nearly 3,500 battered women and children, and counseling, life skills education and legal assistance to over 40,000 individuals. The mission of Laura’s House is to change the social beliefs, attitudes and the behaviors that perpetuate domestic violence while creating a safe space in which to empower individuals and families affected by abuse.
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