Laura’s House Ladies’ Guild to host holiday party for shelter alumni
Posted on November 29, 2011
Guild Members: from left to right, Jena Schuster, Madalyn Parsons, Valerie Ross, Shannon Champion, Andrea McCallister, LH Director of Development & Communications
The annual event will honor the women and children who have graduated from the Laura’s House shelter and Step Ahead Transitional Housing programs; guild members will collect wrapped gifts and gift cards for local retailers, restaurants and grocers
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Nov. 28, 2011 – Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission 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, today announced that its Ladies’ Guild will host the annual Alumni Holiday Party on Sunday, December 11, 2011.
Each year, Laura’s House celebrates the holiday season with alumni from its shelter and Step Ahead Transitional Housing program by collecting gift cards and wrapped gifts for the women and children who have graduated and are building lives that are free of violence. The event includes a visit from Santa and his Christmas elves, food, music, entertainment, and arts & crafts. This year, attendees at the Alumni Holiday Party will dine on tacos, burritos and Baja surf specialties donated by Baja Surf Tacos in Ladera Ranch.
The Alumni Holiday Party will be hosted again this year by the Laura’s House Ladies’ Guild. Established in December 2010, the Ladies’ Guild brings together more than a dozen women from the Orange County community who support the mission of Laura’s House through fundraising and awareness-building events held throughout the year. During 2011, the Ladies’ Guild hosted several events for shelter residents, including assembling and delivering special gift baskets and Mother’s Day, and collecting clothing and school supplies for the Laura’s House back-to-school clothing drive.
“We are grateful to the Ladies’ Guild for supporting Laura’s House in hosting our Alumni Holiday Party, and for their commitment throughout the year to helping us fulfill our mission to ‘end the silence’ of domestic violence,” said Andrea McCallister, Director of Development & Communications for Laura’s House.
Coto de Caza resident, Jena Schuster, heads up the Ladies’ Guild. “I am proud to be a part of the Laura’s House Ladies’ Guild,” said Schuster. “Over the past year, it has been a wonderful experience working with the dedicated women who have joined the guild, and are committed to helping Laura’s House. We are looking forward to hosting the Alumni Holiday party this year, and excited about continuing to partner with Laura’s House in the coming year to raise much-needed funds and build greater awareness throughout the community for the innovative programs and services that the organization provides to families impacted by domestic violence.”
For more information on how to become involved with the Laura’s House Ladies’ Guild, please call (949) 361-3775. In early 2012, a schedule of Ladies’ Guild events will be posted on the Laura’s House Website at www.laurashouse.org/events.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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 Celebrates the 2011 Holiday Season through “Spirit of Empowerment”
Posted on November 24, 2011
An annual holiday gift drive, alumni holiday party, shelter Christmas Day celebration and gift card donations, will help families impacted by domestic regain their dignity and self-esteem, while enjoying the magic of the holiday season.
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Nov. 21, 2011 – Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission 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, today announced the launch of its 2011 “Spirit of Empowerment” holiday program.
“The holidays can be a difficult time for families that are fleeing violent homes, and the joy of the season is often overshadowed by the need to survive from one day to the next,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “At Laura’s House, we embrace the philosophy of empowerment in all that we do. Through our holiday ‘Spirit of Empowerment’ program, our goal is share the magic of the holiday season, while helping to restore the dignity and self-esteem that these women and children lost when they were living in abusive homes.”
Laura’s House offers several ways in which members of the community can spread holiday cheer through the “Spirit of Empowerment Program,” to the women and children residing at the Laura’s House shelter, and participating in programs offered through the counseling and resource center. These include:
- Holiday Gift Drive Laura’s House is accepting donations of toys for its Shelter graduates and their children. They will have their annual Alumni Holiday Party on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. Graduates and their children will get into the holiday spirit with Santa and his Christmas elves, food, music and arts and crafts. Laura’s House needs gifts for boys and girls ages (2-4), (5-8), (9-12), (13 and up) and their mothers. The respectful choice of such gifts/gift cards will provide our families with the empowering opportunity to decide how they wish to celebrate the holiday and create new traditions with their families. There is so much joy in shopping for your loved ones, and the donation of gift certificates will enable our families to share in that holiday magic. Donation drop times are Monday through Friday, 3pm-5pm, please call ahead if these hours do not work for you. Donations need to be received by Monday, December 5, 2011.
- Shelter Christmas Day Laura’s House will be celebrating Christmas morning with its Shelter residents and providing them with a warm and special Christmas Day celebration. Gifts will be given to the children and mothers that are currently residing in the Shelter. Gift cards are also wonderful gifts for these families, as mothers can be empowered to make the choices for what their children receive. Donation drop times are Monday through Friday, 3pm-5pm, please call ahead if these hours do not work for you. All donations need to be received by Monday, December 19, 2011.
- Gift Card Donations You can help our clients regain their dignity and self esteem by providing directly to their individual needs with Gift Cards to Barnes & Noble; Costco; CVS Pharmacy; Kohl’s; Local Grocery Stores; Gas & Phone Cards; Old Navy; Payless Shoes; RiteAid; Target; Toys-R-Us; Wal-Mart; bus passes; and for local restaurants including Denny’s; Jack in the Box; McDonalds; Taco Bell; TOGO’S; Subway; Bagel Shack and Starbucks Coffee.
More information on the Laura’s House “Spirit of Empowerment” holiday program can be found at www.laurashouse.org/events or by calling (949) 361-3775.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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 Partners with HomeAid Orange County to Celebrate the Grand Opening of its Emergency Shelter
Posted on November 17, 2011
On December 1, 2011, local government officials, business leaders, Laura’s House board members, project partners and the community will gather at Portobello Road in Lake Forest for a special ceremony commemorating this important milestone
LADERA RANCH, Calif., Nov. 17, 2011 – Laura’s House today announced that it will celebrate the grand opening of its emergency shelter for families impacted by domestic violence, in a ceremony to be held in partnership with HomeAid Orange County on Thursday, December 1. The event will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., at Portobello Road Resale Boutique, located at 23635 El Toro Road in Lake Forest.
The Emergency Shelter Rebuild Project is part of the Cornerstone Capital Campaign, a fundraising initiative that was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and the expansion of the Laura’s House Step Ahead transitional housing for shelter graduates. To date, more than $3 million has been raised toward the campaign goal. During the final phase of the campaign, which will begin in January 2012, Laura’s House will raise the final $1 million that is needed to fund the purchase of the building in which it will house its Transitional Housing program.
“HomeAid Orange County has done an amazing job in helping us realize our long-held dream of a new emergency shelter facility, and transitional housing for our Step Ahead program,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “We are delighted to partner with them in celebrating such an important milestone, and we are also grateful to all of the individuals and businesses who have committed both their time and financial resources to make this dream a reality.”
Construction of the Laura’s House emergency shelter has been completed, and residents are expected to move in following the Thanksgiving holiday.
In 2010, 269 individuals, including 152 children, received services through the Laura’s House emergency shelter program. The new emergency shelter will nearly double the number of beds, from 28 beds to 44 beds and 10 cribs, effectively increasing the shelter’s annual capacity by 93%, and enabling the organization to serve 175 additional clients annually. By expanding its emergency shelter, Laura’s House will also increase countywide capacity for serving individuals impacted by domestic violence by 15%.
The grand opening ceremony will begin with a light breakfast, followed by an inspirational invocation by Honorary Co-Chairs Bette and Wylie Aitken. The program will include comments by Margaret Bayston; Scott Larson, Executive Director for HomeAid Orange County; Laura Khouri, Chair, Laura’s House Board of Directors; and Wayne Pinnell, Chair, Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign. City and government officials from Lake Forest and surrounding cities are expected to attend the event.
During the grand opening ceremony, development and building partners for the shelter re-build project will be recognized and receive certificates of appreciation for their contributions to the success of this project. Among the more than 30 companies partnering with Laura’s House in the shelter re-build are Lutzky Associates Development, LLP; William Hezmalhalch Architects, Inc.; Huitt-Zollars, Inc.; GMU Geotechnical, Inc.; Option One Engineering; Salehi Engineering, Inc.; Western National Group Contractors; Style Interiors Design, Inc.; Fidelity National Title Company; Land Concern Ltd.; La Jolla Pacific; Morrow Management; Paskerian, Block, Martindale and Brinton, LLP; Focus 360; Constructor’s Bonding, Inc.; Firesafe Planning Solutions; Mestre Greve Associates; Friedmann & Friedmann Insurance Services; Phillips & Associates; PMC Consulting; Robert Rooks Photography.
Subcontractors and manufacturers who have partnered with Laura’s House include Aliso Air, Inc.; Capital Drywall; Boral Roofing; CPS Security Solutions; Fiber Care Baths, Inc.; Gateway Plastering; GE Appliances; Milgard Windows; Olsen Pavers; RSI Cabinetry; Smart Systems Technologies; Terra Tile; TLS Laboratories; Titan Sheet Metal, Inc.; Walker Windows; and, Yo Fire.
“HomeAid has enjoyed partnering with Laura’s House to expand its emergency shelter and transitional housing facilities to fulfill the growing need for shelter services for families who are devastated by domestic violence,” said Scott Larson. “The strong partnerships that we have established with builders, contractors, developers and service providers have helped to create a warm and welcoming environment where women and children can build lives that are free of violence.”
Following the grand opening ceremony, Portobello Road will be hosting an open house and will be open to the public.
About the Cornerstone Capital Campaign The Laura’s House Cornerstone Capital Campaign was officially launched in September 2010 to raise $4.5 million to fund the shelter re-build project and expansion of transitional housing for shelter graduates. The campaign committee is chaired by Wayne Pinnell, who most recently serves as the chair for Laura’s House board of directors. Campaign committee members include Beth Adkisson, Chris Aitken, Jennifer Boyer, Laverne Friedmann, Randy Harmat, Wayne Pinnell, Casey Wolin and Brenda Zalke. The capital campaign has the full support of the Laura’s House Board of Directors. Honorary chairs of the Cornerstone Campaign are Bette and Wylie Aitken.
More information on the Cornerstone Campaign can be found at www.laurashouse.org or by calling (949) 361-3775.
About HomeAid Orange County The founding chapter of a national non-profit organization with the mission to build dignified housing where homeless families and individuals can rebuild their lives. Founded in 1989 by the Orange County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California, HomeAid acts as the housing developer and liaison between services providers, community volunteers, builders and specialty contractors. To date, the organization has completed 47 developments that serve victims of domestic violence, pregnant homeless women, abused and abandoned children, homeless adults living with HIV/AIDS and homeless families. www.homeaidoc.org
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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 to benefit from Comfortable Sleep & Home’s™ 3rd Annual “Stressless® Charity Promotion”
Posted on November 15, 2011
LADERA RANCH and SAN CLEMENTE, Calif., Nov. 14, 2011 – The holidays can be stressful, especially for families that are impacted by domestic violence. In an effort to help spread holiday cheer to the women and children served by Laura’s House, a non-profit organization whose mission 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, for the third year in a row, Comfortable Sleep & Home™ is hosting its “Stressless® Charity Promotion.”
Through January 16, 2012, Comfortable Sleep & Home™ will give its customers $200 off the purchase price of any Stressless recliner, and $400 off the purchase of the Stressless Royal Recliner in select leathers, when they donate a minimum of $50 to Laura’s House.
“Last year, we raised $500 for Laura’s House, and this year, we hope to double that donation,” said store owner and Registered Nurse, Meloni Jensen. “For our customers, we find it to be a wonderful way to help them pay it forward, while also giving themselves, or someone they love, the gift of ultimate comfort this season. Each year that we have held the promotion, our customers have reacted very enthusiastically to helping Laura’s House, and it is our sincere pleasure to support Laura’s House again during the 2011 holiday season.”
“We are delighted that Comfortable Sleep & Home has chosen to make Laura’s House the beneficiary of its holiday promotion again this year,” said Margaret Bayston, CEO and Executive Director, Laura’s House. “The support we receive from local businesses, like Comfortable Sleep & Home helps us in raising the funds we need to continue to serve the community, and it is a great way to help build greater awareness of how domestic violence impacts our community.”
Comfortable Sleep & Home invites the local community to visit its San Clemente store located at 415 Avenida Pico, or its Ladera Ranch store located at 25626 Crown Valley Parkway, to take advantage of the “Stressless Charity Promotion” benefiting Laura’s House. According to Jensen, “The Stressless Recliner offers the gift of ultimate comfort. With Stressless ergonomically-designed seating, you can create your personal ‘Stressless comfort zone’ anywhere in your home.”
About Comfortable Sleep & Home™ Comfortable Sleep & Home™ specializes in the personal comfort of its customers, and everything sold by the company combines Comfort, Function and Style. In addition to Stressless® products, they carry the full line of Tempur-Pedic™ mattresses and pillows and the world’s only truly comfortable sofa sleeper by American Leather™. For more info, visit http://comfortablesleep.net.
About Laura’s House Annually, Laura’s House provides residential shelter services to more than 200 women and children, counseling to more than 300 clients, legal services to more than 300 clients and assists with more than 1,700 crisis hot-line calls. The mission of Laura’s House is changing 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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JOIN IN THE HOLIDAY "Spirit of Empowerment"
Posted on November 8, 2011
At Laura’s House, we embrace the philosophy of empowerment in all that we do. Our approach to empowerment is based on the belief that our programs and services teach women the tools they need to take control of their lives by making choices that foster healthy, violence-free relationships. Therefore, through our programs and services, we acknowledge a woman’s competency and offer her support, advocacy, information, and education according to each individual’s need.
Holiday Gift Drive
This year our Holiday Gift Drive asks you to share the bounty of your life with donations of toys for our Shelter graduates and their children. We will have our annual Alumni Holiday party on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2011. Graduates and their children will get into the holiday spirit with Santa and his Christmas elves, food, music and arts and crafts. Gifts will be given to all. Gifts will be divided into gender and age ranges. We will need gifts for boys and girls ages ( 2-4 ), (5-8), (9-12), ( 13 and up ) and their mothers.* Please see the list below. The respectful choice of such gifts/gift cards will provide our families with the empowering opportunity to decide for themselves how they wish to celebrate the holiday and create new traditions with their families. There is so much joy in shopping for your loved ones, and the donation of gift certificates will enable our families to share in that holiday magic.
Alumni Holiday Party
Donations need to be received by Monday, December 5, 2011. Donation drop times are Monday through Friday, 3pm-5pm, please call ahead if these hours do not work for you. To learn more, contact Andrea McCallister at 949.361.3775 ext. 211 or by e-mail at amccallister@laurashouse.org
Shelter Christmas Day
We will be celebrating Christmas morning with our Shelter residents and providing them with a warm and special Christmas Day celebration. Gifts will be given to the children and mothers that are currently residing in the Shelter. Gift cards are also wonderful gifts for these families, as mothers can be empowered to make the choices for what their children receive. Donation drop times are Monday through Friday, 3pm-5pm, please call ahead if these hours do not work for you. All donations need to be received by Monday, December 19, 2011. Please call 949.361.3775 to schedule your drop-off.
Popular Gift Items
Ages 2-4
Girls: books, coloring books & crayons, Leap frog learning games, Disney movies, dress up clothes, dolls, stuffed animals.
Boys: books, cars, coloring books & crayons, Leap frog learning games, Disney movies, backpacks.
Ages 5-8
Girls: board games, dolls, dress up clothes, hair accessories
Boys: action figures, board games, Legos, toy trucks
Ages 9-12
Girls: board games, hair accessories, purse, watches
Boys: action figures, board games, CD player, CDs, sports items.
Ages 13 and up
Girls: backpacks, Cd player, CDs, bath and body products, make-up, hair accessories, pajamas, Old Navy, purse, gift cards.
Boys: backpacks, Cd player, CDs, food gift certificates, watches, gift cards, sports items.
Mothers
Bath products, beauty products, journals, organizers, perfume, robes, pajamas, slippers, Gift Cards to local clothing stores.
Why Gift Cards?
You can give our clients the empowering opportunity to decide for themselves how they wish to celebrate the holiday and create new traditions with their families. There is so much joy in shopping for your loved ones, and the donation of gift certificates will enable our families to share in that holiday magic by providing directly to their individual needs.
Gift Card Wish List
Barnes & Noble • Costco • CVS Pharmacy • Kohl’s • Local Grocery Stores • Gas & Phone Cards • Old Navy • Payless Shoes • RiteAid • Target • Toys-R-Us • Walmart • Bus Passes
Local eateries: Dennys • Jack in the Box • McDonalds • Taco Bell • TO GO’S • Subway • Bagel Shack Starbucks Coffee
We thank you for your help and support on behalf of Laura’s House and all the families who have been affected by domestic violence. Donation drop times are Monday through Friday, 3pm-5pm, please call ahead if these hours do not work for you. Donation drop times are Monday through Friday, 3pm-5pm, please call ahead if these hours do not work for you. Your donations make a difference. If you have any questions or would like information on how your business or other organization can sponsor a drive, please contact the Development Department, Melanie Schneider or Andrea McCallister at (949) 361-3775 or by e-mail at amccallister@laurashouse.org
**Please deliver unwrapped gifts (or) wrapped with labels with gender and age groups
Donation drop times are Monday through Friday, 3pm-5pm, please call ahead if these hours do not work for you. Please coordinate the delivery of your gifts with Melanie Schneider at Laura’s House (949)361-3775.
Thank you for your generosity. We wish you a very happy holiday season.