For Immediate Release

Contact: Beth Saratain (360) beth@womencareshelter.org

omencare Shelter and ! C" Bellingham Celebrate new #artnershi$ Party will be held for donors and community members alike, to illustrate what the alliance has in store to further support Bellingham community YWCA Bellingham, and Womencare Shelter celebrate their new partnership at a meet and greet event Sunday, Oct. 2 . !he harvest themed party will showcase the "artnership, and how it will bene#it continued and e$tended support #or women and those a##ected by domestic violence in the greater Bellingham area. %eld in the YWCA&s historic ballroom on 'orest St., the event will begin at 2 p.m. with a short program and speeches #rom YWCA chair (ary %arrington as well as Womencare Shelter chair Cathy Craver. !he event is intended #or donors, board members and community members ali)e to come together and celebrate Womencare Shelter becoming a program o# the YWCA. !he party will highlight how these organi*ations plan to continue e##icient use o# donations, and how the partnership will better serve the community. "rograms such as the Womencare Shelter call center and YWCA Bac) to Wor) Bouti+ue will continue through the partnership, and be strengthened by the convergence o# the organi*ations. As their own entities, these two organi*ations served over ,--, local, women and children in the community through shelters and other programs, in 2-.2, and plan to serve more through the partnership. ///

(oving into the same administrative building and 0oining #orces will become #inancially bene#icial #or both organi*ations, and will strengthen the ties that each has to the community through e$tended programs. One o# the biggest barriers survivors #ace a#ter leaving our emergency shelter is the lac) o# a##ordable permanent housing in Whatcom County. !he partnership will strengthen our housing programs and help us to provide a stronger support system #or #amilies #leeing violence. 1 2 didn&t put this in +uotes but it is verbatim what you said, let me )now i# you would li)e to be +uote #or it.3 4We believe that our respective services and programs can be strengthened and e$panded by a strategic partnership. !he creation o# #iscal and operational e##iciencies enables us to advance our shared vision in creating a world #ree #rom domestic violence, empowering women and ending racism through digni#ied house and support programs,5 Craver said. Womencare Shelter is an empowerment-based organization working to end domestic violence by providing emergency, confidential shelter, 24 hour crisis support services and community education. he !W"# of $ellingham, as part of the Whatcom "ounty "ommunity, works to promote empowerment of women and girls of all ages, backgrounds, races, and faiths, and to advance their %uality of life. hrough programs, services and advocacy, the agency addresses issues of housing, basic needs, health and safety, education, discrimination and racial &ustice. he !W"# coordinates and cooperates with other community service providers to ensure effective use of resources and to anticipate and respond to change. 'or more in#ormation o# the event contact ywca6ywcabellingham.org or in#o6womencareshelter.org