Thanks to each and everyone who sponsored a family, donated toys, books, coats, gift bags/baskets, toiletries and more, for our families for the holidays! We are very grateful for your tremendous generosity during such challenging circumstances.
Oh my goodness, I can't believe the nice gifts we received! I was immediately overwhelmed with gratitude and joy. I was very pleased, and my daughters were so happy and excited. It exceeded my expectations, I was not expecting that. - MSP Client
Because of you, we were able to give over 120 families a wonderful holiday season! For everything you have done for us in the past, everything you still do and will continue to do, we want you to know how thankful we are, and we look forward to a prosperous future together.
I adopted an MSP family for Christmas with a couple of friends. The guidelines were clearly explained. The program was extremely well-organized. Angela (MSP's Development and Volunteer Manager) was very responsive and a pleasure to deal with. I responded to the email expressing my interest and heard back with more information the same day. It could have not been any easier! My friends and I have all agreed that we would like to make adopting a family an annual tradition because we had such a great experience! Not only did MSP make us feel great about volunteering, the MSP client who we sponsored for holiday gifting was absolutely lovely and so kind and thankful. - MSP Volunteer
|
|
A young mother of three fleeing a long term relationship that turned violent during her recent pregnancy turned to MSP for support for her and her family. She initially called our shelter line to receive emotional support, and to gather resources. She explained that she was pregnant and unable to work as an EMT because she was due soon and didn’t want to leave the comforts of her seemingly stable home life. She feared though, that the violence was increasing and she did not want her children in a home with violence. She continued to reach out, asking us about the services we offered, but admitting she was afraid to leave – a fear of going to a place that she didn’t know. She eventually gave birth and while at the hospital, a domestic violence incident occurred. She contacted us from the hospital, stating she was afraid to go home and needed help. She did return home and as she expected, the violence continued so she made the decision to come to the shelter after two months of working with us, safety planning and mapping out a safe exit for herself and the children from the home.
She and her family have adjusted well to the shelter. The older children have been successfully attending virtual school and actively participate in children’s group and art therapy. The survivor is actively seeking housing and childcare so that she can return to work as an EMT. She has connected with mental health services at the shelter and is working closely with her case manager to work through any ongoing challenges.
|
|
Support a Survivor as they 'RISE' |
|
Even with the pandemic, MSP has been able to transition 97 survivors to transitional or permanent housing and 37 survivors graduated our RISE transitional housing program and are currently living in permanent housing. RISE is an innovative transitional-to-permanent housing program that helps survivors gain independence through building skills while providing rental support.
RISE (Reaching Independence through Survivor Empowerment) helps families fleeing from domestic violence move from crisis and homelessness to safety and stability. In this one year program, staff provide case management and resources on financial responsibility, life planning and other supportive services. During the year of participation, rental payments are paid by MSP and our staff provide ongoing support and referrals, as clients pursue goals to become self-sufficient. The goal is to provide a foundation to allow RISE families to be able to have the option to remain in the homes they have built for themselves after exiting the program, promoting long-term stability and freedom from abuse.
Survivors are often forced to flee with only what they can carry. This means that when they make their move from shelter to transitional or permanent housing, they are often in need of items such as a sofa or couch, bed(s), household items, and small appliances, and other basic household items. MSP's Fresh Start Fund helps clients with needed furniture, with moving expenses, it also helps to cover unplanned or unexpected costs such as car repairs or a large utility bill. Our New Years' challenge to our supporters, is to consider making a donation to our Fresh Start Fund so that MSP can continue to support families as they work to stabilize their lives. Fresh Start provides stability and financial security for survivors at every stage of the transitional-to-permanent housing process, so they can meet their initial moving expenses and start off strong, create homes that are comfortable and meet their families’ needs, and weather the unexpected without fear of losing it all. If you are looking for a unique and meaningful way to support survivors and their families, donate to My Sister’s Place’s Fresh Start Fund today.
|
|
Help MSP Prepare a Home for a Domestic Violence Survivor and Her Children
|
|
Please join us next month as we furnish and decorate the new home of a survivor of domestic violence. Our families are excited to be able to be in their own home, free from violence, but need a little support to furnish it and make it feel like home.
Please sign-up here if you would like to donate items or to help build and move furniture into the home. Once you're all signed-up, you will receive a confirmation email immediately and then a more detailed email with more information regarding the move, closer to the move date. If you would like to help build and move, this means that you must be willing to assist with the lifting, carrying, loading and then moving items into the survivors' home. If you would like to donate items to our client, you will need to make arrangements for drop-off or pick-up of the items.
We appreciate you bringing your donations and staying to help for as long as you can.
With your support and community leadership, we can continue our mission and provide our survivors with a safe environment where they can begin again, giving families an amazing start to the upcoming holiday season!
Thank you!
|
|
You can assist families who suffered domestic violence but are now in a position to rebuild their lives by donating a gift card to help support, stabilize, and empower survivors as they create safe homes for themselves and their families. Please email acavanaugh@mysistersplacedc.org for more information.
|
|
Help to grow MSP in many ways! |
|
-
Provide basic necessities such as diapers, wipes, blankets, and feminine products via our Amazon Wish List.
-
Volunteer with us! We have many flexible volunteer opportunities allowing you or your group to support survivors during the holiday season, and throughout the year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
