(508) 487 – 4357 | info@helpingourwomen.org | Volunteer Portal

June 2026

Greetings!

I trust you’re enjoying the warmer weather that has finally arrived and seems like it’s going to stay. For me, it’s the early summer birdsong in the mornings that bouys my sense of hope. What lifts your spirits this time of year?

Here at Helping Our Women, the Annual Gathering is an energizing evening of hope so I hope you'll join us next Tuesday, June 9. This year we will celebrate the completion of the second round of Peer Wellness Coach training -- a group of 10 volunteers have completed 20 hours of online training and 20 hours of practice homework to prepare to offer free 1:1 support on whatever goal, issue, or concern the women we serve may be facing. We will also honor HOW’s Volunteer of the Year, Joan Pellissier, and Jacqui Beebe, Eastham’s Town Manager who is this year’s recipient of the Betty Villari Community Service Award that goes to someone who shows dedicated commitment, energy, and kindness in service to the Outer Cape.

At the Annual Gathering, you'll also get a chance to meet our new Client Services Director, Maria Brennan who starts next week and brings deep human service and nonprofit management experience to benefit the women we serve and to support continuous improvement across our direct client service programs.

Another springtime sign of hope comes from our Program Manager, Pam Mahoney. From January through April, women on the Outer Cape gathered 418 times in our health & wellness programs — for connection, for support, and for community. And of those 418 moments of connection, more than half came from community members who joined us for wellness, learning, and support — a reminder that HOW's health & wellness programs are open to all women and strengthen the whole community, not only the client members we serve.

I hope to see you on June 9 or at one of our upcoming programs described below!

With gratitude,

Gwynne

Closed: Friday, June 19th, in observance of Juneteenth

HOW Community News

There's still time to register for our Annual Community Gathering!

Mark your calendar for a relaxed, joyful evening with the HOW community!

Join us for great food, delicious drinks, and the simple pleasure of being together. Whether you're catching up with familiar faces or meeting new friends, there's a seat at the table for you.

A heartfelt thank you to our friends at Truro Vineyards for generously supplying the wine at this year's Annual Gathering. Their support helps make evenings like this possible! Want to taste the goodness for yourself? Pay them a visit — you won't be disappointed.

Date: 6/9/26

Location: Ann Maguire Women's Wellness Center (AMWWC) at HOW in Eastham, 3 Main Street

Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Registration: For planning purposes, please register by clicking the link below or calling Pam at 508-487-4357 ext. 8. If you forget to register, please come anyway!

Click Here to Register

A Bloomin' Thank You

This April, HOW received $35 through the Stop & Shop Bloomin' 4 Good Program — and we are so grateful! Every bouquet purchased helps support the women in our community.

A heartfelt thank you to our community partner Stop & Shop, and to everyone who picked up a bouquet with HOW in mind. Your small gestures bloom into big support!

Ruthie’s Fashion Show

We are so grateful to the one and only Ruthie’s Boutique for the generous donation to Helping Our Women through the fabulous fashion show! Because of supporters like Ruthie's, we can continue providing rides to medical appointments, financial assistance, food security, and the steady support our clients count on.

WHEN: Thursday, June 4

WHERE: The Boatslip - 161 Commercial St, Provincetown, MA

TIME: 4:30 Doors open. 5:30 Show begins

Donate and/or Secure Your Ticket Here

Movies at St. Mary of the Harbor - FREE movie and popcorn!

Join your community for an outdoor movie on various Friday’s this summer. All gathering times are 7:30 pm - Movie to start at 8:00 pm

Dates:

June 12, Pricilla, Queen of the Dessert

July 17, Mamma Mia

August 7, Grease - likely a sing-along!

These events will be outside -bring your lawn / beach chair, blanket or towel and brown bag or cooler. Everyone Welcome!

MS Support Group: Pausing for the Summer

As the busy Cape summer season approaches, the Outer Cape MS Support Group will be pausing in-person meetings at the AMWWC (HOW) in Eastham for the next few months.

Anyone living with MS is encouraged to reach out to Katherine via email for support and/or resources. Please contact Katherine if you are interested in attending a Support Group in the Fall.

outercapemsgroup@gmail.com

Upcoming Health & Wellness Programs - Free & Open to all women

Check out our June calendar for ALL our upcoming programs

View & Print the June Program Calendar

HOW Health & Wellness Programs by the Numbers

We're proud to share a snapshot of community impact from the first four months of 2026!

In the words of one participant, “Because of the acupuncture/meditation program, I have been able to care for myself in a way that I simply couldn’t on my own, and that has made a real difference in my well-being”.

Behind every number is a woman who showed up — for connection, for support, for community. And behind every session is a team of staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters who made it possible.

These numbers reflect something bigger: a community that shows up for one another.

Thank you to everyone who continues to make this work possible. You belong here — and so does every woman we serve.

Managing Memory Loss - Invitation to Free Training from our friends at Cape Cod Institute

Maybe you live with or care for someone with memory loss. Maybe you worry that you have a genetic disposition for dementia. If so, consider joining an in-person workshop, July 6-8, at Nauset Middle School, Orleans. Dr. Anne Hallward will teach about the emotional and functional challenges of living with dementia or with someone who has dementia. She’ll also talk about caregiver self-care. The Cape Cod Institute (CCI) is a summer learning program that is offering HOW community members free participation for the in person part of this workshop.

Date: 7/6-7/8

Time: 9-1:30

Location: Nauset Regional Middle School, 70 MA-28, Orleans, MA 02653

Call Pam to get the promo code to attend in person for free.

STAY STRONG: Women's Cancer Support Group

You don't have to face cancer alone - new member always welcome!

Stay Strong is a free, confidential support group for women — a safe space to share, connect, and find strength in community. Whether you're newly diagnosed, in treatment, or navigating life after cancer — there's a place for you here.

Location: Truro Public Library

When: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of each month at 10 am

GRIEVING & GROWING: Women's Bereavement Group

Grief is hard. You shouldn't have to carry it alone.

Our Grief Support Group is welcoming new members — and there's a place for you here. This is a warm, confidential space to share what you're carrying, hear from women who truly understand, and find comfort in community. Whether your loss is recent or something you've held for a long time, you are welcome exactly as you are. Led by our compassionate facilitator, Betsy Simmons, this group meets every week in our Eastham office — a steady, safe space you can count on.

Location: HOW Eastham Office

When: Every Thursday 3:00 PM

Call us at 508-487-4357 to learn more or get started.

Acupuncture & Meditation

Free Acudetox Acupuncture — Just for You!

Acudetox is a gentle, five-point ear acupuncture practice that supports stress relief, emotional balance, and overall well-being. It's especially welcoming for women in recovery — offering a calm, grounding space to reconnect with yourself and find steady footing. No experience needed. No judgment. Just gentle support, completely free for Women.

Location: 3 Main St., Eastham (HOW office)

When: Every Wednesday (no session 4/1) at 10 -am

Registration required: Spots are limited — pam@helpingourwomen.org or 508-487-4357 ext. 8

Listen to this interview with practioner Dr. Heather Louks to learn more.

Listen here to learn more

Community Partners Making Waves for Women's Health

One of the most beautiful parts of the HOW community is the generosity of our local partners — and right now, we have three wonderful offerings available exclusively to HOW client members.

Provincetown Theater Tickets: enjoy a night of theater
Payomet Tickets: catch live performances
Free Haircuts at Wildflower Salon of Orleans: get treated to a new cut & a fresh look

A heartfelt thank you to the Provincetown Theater, Payomet, and Wildflower Salon for their generosity and partnership. Together, we are making waves for women's health and wellness on the Outer Cape!