By June Steely Women Helping Women, Director 2020-21
In a normal year without the disruption of COVID-19, our League days are filled with projects and volunteerism to help build better communities. With the absence of what would have been our 28th year of CARE Fair, the closure of our Women Helping Women Boutique, and not being able to meet in-person for a variety of smaller, mini-projects, the League had to make a major pivot. This required the Project and Community Councils to brainstorm and think of new ways to stay involved in our local community and identify possible needs we might be able to fulfill. What has come to life in 2020 are imaginative and beautiful new projects which serve women and children in our community.
The Women Helping Women project’s mission is to provide work-appropriate attire to women entering the workforce who are in transition to self-sufficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impeded our progress as finding an outfit that fits one’s body, and personal style is difficult to achieve from a remote location. Since it was unclear when we would return to the boutique in person, we considered ways to continue to support our clients without the need for face-to-face interaction.
In September 2020, we began offering hygiene kits to women referred by our partner agencies. The kits are filled on Saturdays and delivered to the requesting agency on Tuesdays. The kits include 12 personal hygiene items such as shampoo, soap, and conditioner. Each client also receives three pairs of underwear, a bra, and a hair styling tool. By December 2020, we have assembled and distributed an amazing 134 kits.
The kits have been extremely well received. The Odyssey House of Utah residential treatment staff were delighted to give women these kits for Christmas this year. The volume of their donations was much lower than usual, and they were pleased to have something for the women. A traveling nurse from the Salt Lake County Health Department shared a story from one of her clients: One of my clients is nearing homelessness starting next month. She has been on temporary housing, and it will end soon. COVID-19 has made it difficult to reach her goals. She is always trying, but with a small child and so many barriers, it has really set her back. It took much longer to get her driver’s license, and jobs have been more difficult to find. Frequent child care closures have made it worse, and the client lost a job she just started when the child care center closed. Being able to offer needed hygiene items has helped this client during a great time of need.
